Attention to Rhotacism Language Problem by Oral Surgery and Vibrostimulatory Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Ankyloglossia may prevent the tongue from contacting the anterior palate, which promotes an infantile swallow and hamper the progression to an adult-like swallow. This can result in an open bite deformity and in some cases it can be associated to mandibular prognathism and language problems like rhotacism, described as the inability or difficulty in pronouncing the sound / r /. The surgical cut of the frenum tissue that connects the tongue to the jawbone (frenulectomy) and the language rehabilitation treatment with functional oral devices, represent an alternative treatment for this problem. An 11-year-old boy reported with language performance problems, dental malposition and diagnostic of ankyloglossia condition, received frenulectomy surgery and language rehabilitation treatment with functional oral devices during six months. Language diagnosis was carried out in three periods of time: prior to the surgery, four weeks after the surgery and six months later. Combined surgical and functional therapies proved to be a better alternative than only surgical therapy. Combined therapies increased the speech abilities as well as swallowing functions, therefore, the patient's self-esteem.(AU)^ien