Speech assessment and recording by orthodontist in patients with cleft lip and palate

Speech is a complex motor skill that involves the co-ordination of diverse muscle groups. Gross motor movements of the muscles responsible for inspiration and expiration must be coupled with intricate the muscles of larynx; soft palate tongue and lips to produce sustained intelligible speech. A defect in structure, position, or motor control of any element involved with the mechanical production of speech alters the quality of sound produced. Complete palatopharyngeal closure is required for the production of certain sounds such as plosives, while phonemes such as vowels and nasal consonant require opening of the palatopharyngeal port in varying degrees. Hypernasal speech is the common symptom in patients with valopharangeal incompetence (VPI). The treatment option includes surgical correction, prosthetic rehabilitation, and speech therapy. The optimal result requires a multidisciplinary approach for restoration of the defects.