Evaluation of the Effect of MARPE on Speech

This prospective clinical study aims to evaluate how Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) affects speech in adolescents and young adults with skeletal maxillary transverse deficiency.

Speech production relies on precise palatal anatomy and oral resonance. Since MARPE modifies the palatal structure through skeletal expansion, it may influence articulation and acoustic properties of speech. Despite its increasing use in orthodontics, the potential speech-related side effects of MARPE remain largely unexplored.

Participants aged 13-25 will undergo MARPE treatment as part of their standard orthodontic care. Speech recordings will be taken at three time points: before expansion (baseline), immediately after the active expansion phase, and after the retention period. Acoustic analysis and standardized perceptual speech evaluations will be conducted to detect any phonetic, articulatory, or resonance-related changes.

The results will help clinicians better understand the functional implications of MARPE on speech and provide guidance for counseling patients before treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with Class I malocclusion
• Presence of maxillary transverse deficiency
• Young adult patients aged 15 to 18 years
• No history of systemic disease, cleft lip/palate, or speech disorders
• No history of previous orthodontic treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with any systemic disease
• Patients who smoke
• Patients with poor oral hygiene
• Patients with cooperation difficulties
• Patients with mental retardation or cognitive impairment