There is no publication concerning tongue-tie (TT) in adults, surprisingly. It is generally known that TT is mainly diagnosed in newborns and infants. It seems unlikely that TT does not cause functional disorders in adults, especially considering that TT has been present in organism since childhood. Thus, there is insufficient information about the influence of TT on adults′ speech production. The purpose of this study was the functional evaluation of lingual frenotomy on tongue mobility and speech in the adult Polish population. Methods: Methods were based on visual observation and examination of the oral cavity accompanied by visual and auditory examination of articulation. Χ2 test, Kruskal–Wallis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Student’s t-test were used for statistical analyses. Conclusions: Tongue-tie is a serious condition in adults. Implementing surgical procedures to treat it improves the tongue′s mobility in every direction and improves speech clarity. The frenotomy should be implemented in patients suffering from malocclusion because the equilibrium of all the face muscles and skeleton is often disturbed and may lead to unstable functional effects of orthodontic and orthognathic treatment.

Orthodontists correct dental malocclusion, but major facial skeleton deformations (skeletal malocclusion) are often subject to surgical correction. Several speech pathologies are associated with both of the occlusal anomalies mentioned above. The majority of articulation disorders and primary functions cannot be improved without skeletal correction. This study aimed to investigate the outcome of the multimodal and logopaedics treatment of Polish adults affected by skeletal malocclusion and speech-language pathology. A total of 37 adults affected by skeletal Class II and III malocclusion were included, along with the relationship between the malocclusion and speech deficiency (20 phonemes tested) in the subjects before and after surgical correction. The impact of surgery on pronunciation improvement and types of Polish phonemes most often misarticulated by Polish adults were also examined. Patients underwent combined treatment and received a full speech pathology examination. The treatment improved speech (p < 0.05), but the study did not prove that a specific surgery type was associated with pronunciation improvement. Some patients were provided with speech therapy during childhood, yet most had some minor difficulties with lip and tongue movements. Palatal, alveolar (p < 0.05), fricatives (p < 0.05), and labiodental consonant pronunciation (p < 0.05) improved. The surgical correction of malocclusion leads to better articulation of Polish consonants in adults and improves some primary functions.

The normative functioning of the stomatognathic system and masticatory apparatus requires specific coordination between several structures such as teeth with good occlusion, tongue without ankyloglossia or thrusting, and well-balanced facial muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of non-normative primary functions such as breathing, swallowing, biting and chewing on the consonant pronunciation outcome in adults affected with facial skeletal deformities. Moreover, the authors would like to promote a new kind of speech therapy-orthognathic speech therapy. A total of 181 adults affected by skeletal class II and III malocclusion were included, along with the relationship between the malocclusion, speech deficiency (20 phonemes tested) and primary function disorders, in the subjects before and after surgical correction. The impact of surgery on pronunciation and primary function improvement and types of Polish phonemes most often misarticulated by Polish adults were also examined. Patients underwent combined treatment and received a full speech pathology examination. The treatment improved speech (p < 0.05), and primary functions (p < 0.05). Palatal, alveolar (p < 0.05), fricatives (p < 0.05), and labiodental consonant pronunciation (p < 0.05) improved. The surgical correction of malocclusion leads to better oral motor control and articulation of Polish consonants in adults.