Functional disturbances of the masticatory system in relation to articulatory disorders of speech in a group of 6-8-year-old children.

In the sample of 208 children, clinical signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorder were mild, somewhat more common in boys than in girls, and clearly more common in children referred for speech therapy than in the control group. Of variables measured in millimetres, the differences indicate sexual dimorphism rather than differences between boys and girls in the occurrence of craniomandibular disorders. The differences may also reflect later maturing of neuromuscular control in boys rather than true differences between boys and girls in the prevalence of craniomandibular disorder. Logistical regression showed that children with articulatory speech disorders had more subjective symptoms and retrusive interferences, smaller maximal opening, and larger maximal laterotrusion and protrusion movements of the mandible than the controls. Thus different dysfunctions of the orofacial region tend to coexist in the same individuals. Subjective symptoms and clinical signs are mild in 6-8-yr-old children and may reflect immaturity of fine motor control.