Speech Appliances in Cleft
Author(s): Jigna Kachaliya*, Pallavi Daigavane, Priyanka Niranjane, RH Kamble and Tirth Bhutada
Abstract
“Cleft Lip and Palate” (CLP) individuals face a number of aesthetic and functional issues. A cleft lip is inherited deformity
that originates in the womb during fourth and sixth weeks of pregnancy. A cleft palate is a birth abnormality that occurs
between the eighth and the twelfth week of pregnancy. It's a gap in the roof of the mouth caused by the failure of the two
sides of the palate to fuse.
CLP are caused by various factors, the majority of which are unknown. Clefts are assumed to be the result of a mix of genetic
and environmental factors. Parental history, family history, obesity during pregnancy and diabetic female are among the
factors that predispose to development of CLP. Suckling, extreme facial deformities, ear infections, deafness, breathing
difficulties, malocclusion, and poor speech are all concerns that children with CLP face.
Children who have had a cleft palate are more likely to have delays in their speech development and early language
development. These disorders can be developmental or acquired, as well as physical or neurological in nature [1].
The precise character of each articulatory speech order should be recognized as a basis for diagnostic and therapy
planning. When someone's speech sounds nasal, it's usually a sign that they have VPD. However, velopharyngeal structures
must be examined during speech in order to pinpoint the cause of VPD. Doctors can observe the velopharyngeal mechanism
from the side and front using a video x-ray machine (video fluoroscopy). Therapists can build appropriate treatment plans
using extensive information on the nature of the condition and its natural progression.
These people can be treated surgically or non-surgically for their entire condition. This review article mainly focuses on the
non-surgical treatment option for treating speech disorders in patients with CLP. The three main types of appliances
discussed in this article will be “speech bulb obturator”, “palatal lift” and “palatal obturator”.