How jaw misalignments and their surgical correction affect speech

Orthognathic speech pathology: Understanding how jaw disharmonies and their surgical correction influence speech

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10908438

This study looks at how serious jaw misalignments affect speech, helping people who are considering jaw surgery understand how it might improve their speaking ability.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10908438 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of severe jaw misalignments, known as dentofacial disharmonies, on speech. Patients seeking orthognathic surgery often do so to improve their speech, but there is limited evidence to guide treatment decisions. The study will analyze surgical records and audio recordings of patients to understand how different types of jaw misalignments relate to speech distortions. By examining these relationships, the research aims to provide clearer recommendations for surgical interventions and their potential effects on speech improvement.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with severe dentofacial disharmonies who are considering or have undergone orthognathic surgery.

Not a fit: Patients without significant jaw misalignments or those not experiencing speech issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better surgical outcomes for patients with jaw misalignments, particularly in improving their speech.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results in understanding the relationship between jaw alignment and speech, but this research aims to provide more definitive evidence.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.