Double jaw surgery and speech?

[jon2413]

Hi all!

I am on the waiting list for double jaw surgery to fix a severe underbite (class 3 malocclusion). Although there are lots of reasons i want this surgery, one of the main ones were for speech difficulties:

I have a sort of lisp whereby i pronounce "s" as "sh" and in general i find enunciation quite difficult. I think my voice comes out muffled and i get asked to repeat myself quite a lot. There are times when i can sound clearish but it's usually through actively trying to enunciate properly and project my voice - which gets tiring.

But when i went to the hospital for the inital meeting- they told me that although some people do notice slight improvements in their speech, a lot of people don't notice any difference and so i shouldn't rely on this surgery to cure my speech.

I was wondering if anyone had similar speech problems to mine and if having corrective jaw surgery cured it for you?

Thanks!

[Elucidation]

I don't have any speech problems but I did have double jaw surgery for an 8mm underbite 1 months ago. I had perhaps the slightest of lisps before, after nothing feels like it's changed, just need to relearn muscle-memory for lip movements for things like whistling, spitting, etc.

To others I sound exactly the same. I do notice I have a little trouble with the 'tuhhh' (like the T in 'Tea') sounds because I have to relearn some lip movement, but I can tell it'll just take a little practice and time to get used to it.

Sorry if this doesn't help, I could see how if my jaw was further out before surgery, I might have a harder time closing my lips for speech sounds, and surgery would change that, but I've never heard from orthodontists or surgeons about surgery being used to fix things besides TMJ-related symptoms.

[jon2413]

Oh okay! It does help, thanks for replying!

That's what's weird! My jaw is really far out and so im quite surprised that they said i shouldn't expect an improvement in speech!

My main reasons are for aesthetics, general discomfort, chewing etc. which the ortho said can be cured by surgery

[bighoss]

I had a significant underbite and speech was a big concern prior to surgery for me as well. After surgery, speaking felt much more natural in regards to how my teeth and tongue touched. I enjoy speaking in front of others a lot more now. I had a lisp prior to surgery as family members noted, and now they say it's completely gone.

[jon2413]

Hi bighoss!

Im so glad to hear that! Were you told that speech improvements might not be a guarantee?!

I was really disappointed when the hospital said that to me

[bighoss]

Hi bighoss!

Im so glad to hear that! Were you told that speech improvements might not be a guarantee?!

I was really disappointed when the hospital said that to me

I think nothing is guaranteed just because of the nature of surgery, but if you have an underbite it is likely your speech will improve and you will find speaking very natural with a perfect bite. The same goes for chewing, breathing, etc. Even if others don't notice a difference, I can tell you with certainty you will tell the difference just by the feeling of your tongue and mouth movements after surgery.

[jon2413]

[quote="bighoss"][quote="jon2413"]Hi bighoss!

Im so glad to hear that! Were you told that speech improvements might not be a guarantee?!

I was really disappointed when the hospital said that to me [/quote]

I think nothing is guaranteed just because of the nature of surgery, but if you have an underbite it is likely your speech will improve and you will find speaking very natural with a perfect bite. The same goes for chewing, breathing, etc. Even if others don't notice a difference, I can tell you with certainty you will tell the difference just by the feeling of your tongue and mouth movements after surgery. [/quote]

Ah okay! Like when i mentioned why i wanted the surgery they said that there will definitely be improvements in aesthetics, chewing and general discomfot (assuming they don't mess up the op); but not in speech. And i know they're experts and highly trained but i kinda don't believe them aha -as you said i can't imagine how my speech wouldn't improve with a proper bite, especially seeing as my underbite is really extreme

[AnxietyOn]

I have the same problem as you. Working as a cashier, I get asked to repeat myself quit often. Is so hard to pronounce certain words. I have a 6mm underbite plus 2mm crossbite. I don't have a date for my surgery yet but was told will have it done by September/October of this year. Fingers cross it works out. I hope to speak better after the surgery

[jaime]

I had a significant overjet and had a bit of a lisp too. I've noticed that my speech is clearer since surgery. Mind you, with the braces and swelling and everything, it'll feel like it gets worse before it gets better.

[aimeemaytowers]

[jon2413]

[quote="AnxietyOn"]I have the same problem as you. Working as a cashier, I get asked to repeat myself quit often. Is so hard to pronounce certain words. I have a 6mm underbite plus 2mm crossbite. I don't have a date for my surgery yet but was told will have it done by September/October of this year. Fingers cross it works out. I hope to speak better after the surgery[/quote]

Ahh well at least we're not alone! It really sucks doesn't it- i feel like it's completely limited my life these last few years

[jon2413]

[quote="jaime"]I had a significant overjet and had a bit of a lisp too. I've noticed that my speech is clearer since surgery. Mind you, with the braces and swelling and everything, it'll feel like it gets worse before it gets better.[/quote]

Hmm well here's hoping! Were you told that your speech would improve after the surgery?!

[fixmyjaws]

I was struggling with pronouncing s before my surgery but generally speaking I never had a problem making myself understood - it was not the main reason why I had jaw surgery, but it's vastly better now that i had my jaw surgery.

[jon2413]

[quote="fixmyjaws"]I was struggling with pronouncing s before my surgery but generally speaking I never had a problem making myself understood - it was not the main reason why I had jaw surgery, but it's vastly better now that i had my jaw surgery.[/quote]

Ahh great to hear! Thanks for replying! Same question i've asked others :p, were you told that your speech would improve after the op?

[fixmyjaws]

No, but it's only because it wasn't discussed at all...or was but it's far from the main problems I wanted to solve with jaw surgery. Don't remember much about that sorry.

My main problems were I had so much overjet that resulted in a bad lip trap, lip incompetence which result in me often biting my lower lip when chewing food (ouch), traumatic deep bite which made me grind my teeth so much that I often wake up with sore jaws and my teeth were also starting to wear down because of that.