Maxillary dental arch form related to voice classification: A pilot study

This pilot study evaluated maxillary dental arch form dimensions and volume to determine if these parameters could he predictors for or related to voi ce classification. Nine white female professional singers ranging in age fr om 26 years to 53 years were studied. A maxillary dental impression and sto ne dental casts were made using standard dental procedures. Measurements we re made from 10 points on each cast to determine the depth of the palate me asured from first molar (depth A) and from first bicuspid (depth B), the wi dth measured from cuspid-to-cuspid (width A) and from second molar to secon d molar (width B), and the length of the palate. An impression of the palat al arch of each cast was made to determine the volume of the palate using f luid displacement methods. Audio recordings were made for each subject, and based on speaking fundamental frequency, spectral analysis, voice profile, and tessitura confirmation, the actual voice classification of each subjec t in sporano, mezzo, and alto was achieved. Correlation and discriminant an alysis tests were: performed on the data. The discriminant analysis reveale d that no single measurement is a predictor for voice classification. Howev er, the discriminant analysis applied to the predictors depth A, depth B, a nd volume gives optimal results, ie. each subject was classified in her tru e group.