PURPOSE: this study evaluated the effect of lingual orthodontics appliances on speech performance in native Chilean spanish speakers, and their adaptation to these effects during the first month. METHODS: phone production was recorded in a standardized test, in 13 patients with lingual orthodontic brackets, in 5 different times: before (E0), immediately after (E1), within 24 hours after (E2), within 7 days after (E3) and 1 month after (E4) the placement of fixed orthodontic lingual appliances, for assessment by speech professionals. RESULTS: statistically significant changes were observed in the articulation of [d], [s] and [r] phones. Sounds [d] and [s] showed an improvement within first month of use of the appliances. Phone alveolar vibrant [r] did not show a significant reduce of sound impairment performance. CONCLUSION: lingual appliances placement induce impairment in sound performance but these changes show an improvement within the first month of use, with exception of alveolar vibrant [r] phone.
Orthodontics; Corrective; Speech; Phonetics
