January, 2000
What We Say & What They Hear
A fascinating study from our department of Irreproducible Research. As always, you can trust the Orthodontic CYBERjournal to be the first to bring it to your attention.
Dr.s Wye, Dincha and Dewit
Evidence Supporting the Existence of “The Sound Morphing Phenomenon”
You experience it every day…
You carefully instruct your patients or their parents what is needed for successful orthodontic treatment…
Next visit, you know they did not do a thing that you asked!
Now, recent research by the team of Wye, Dindcha, Dewit, et al, has uncovered the cause. Refutable evidence proving the existence of the phenomenon known as “sound morphing”. This syndrome can occur at any age, but is especially prevalent in the 10 to 16 age group.
Below are some examples of this phenomenon. You may recognize them. If you feel that some important ones have been left out, please e-mail them to us: editors@oc-j.com
| What we say: | What they hear: |
|---|---|
| Ok, Melissa. You need to wear these elastics 24 hours a day. You can remove them to to brush your teeth and while eating. | OK, Melissa. You can wear these elastics in your hair or use them for your doll’s hair, shoot them at people or keep them in the bottom of your back pack, but never, ever, use them on your braces. |
| OK, Melissa. You need to wear these elastics 24 hours a day. You can remove them to to brush your teeth and while eating. | Melissa, blah, blah, elastics, blah, …..remove them ….and eat….. |
| Please wear your retainers full time for the next six months. | Please wear your retainers until your leave my sight. |
| Never wrap your retainers in napkins at restaurants. | Always wrap your retainers in napkins at restaurants. |
| Be careful with your retainers and remember not to leave them in restaurants or let your dog get them. | Blah, blah, blah….retainers…..blah, blah …. leave them in restaurants or let your dog get them. |
| Be careful of your braces. Do not eat just anything. Be especially careful to avoid sticky, chewy or crunchy foods. | Blah, blah, braces…blah eat anything..blah…especially …..sticky, chewy or crunchy foods…. |
| Be careful of your braces. Do not eat just anything. Be especially careful to avoid sticky, chewy or crunchy foods. | Your braces are indestructible. You can bite through anything. They are especially good for chewing pens or crushing ice. |
| Regular appointments are necessary for adjusting your appliance. | These appliances are remote controlled and do not require any contact with us for months on end. |
| You will have your braces about two years. | You will have your braces about two weeks. |
| Also seen in adults: | |
| Mrs. Johnson, an appliance fee is due on the day your child’s braces are placed. | Mrs. Johnson, pay us whenever your feel like it. Or not at all for that matter. We only do this for the enjoyment of spending time with your delightful child, Pointdexter. |
| To correct Johnny’s overbite, he will need to wear a headgear at least 14 hours per day for several months. | The headgear is only for effect. If your child does not want to be seen with it at home or sleeping he does not need to wear it. It is equally as effective if fastened to the bed post. |
| The parent that brings in the child is the parent responsible for payment. | We are happy to serve as an enforcer of your divorce decree. Sure we’ll chase that deadbeat you divorced for their share of your child’s care. |
| Mr. Smith, it is important for you to pursue treatment with the periodontist. If your periodontitis is not brought under control, not only will your orthodontic treatment fail, you will risk losing several teeth. | Mr. Smith, no one would believe you are 48! You have the build and appearance of a 26 year old. And that goes for your mouth too! |
The mechanism for the remarkable morphing process is still poorly understood. Early speculation suggests that the controlling factor originates in the hippocampus. Others feel that the cerebellum may be exerting some influence. Links to animal behavior seen in common pets such as dogs or cats may shed some light on this phenomenon.
An example can be seen in the instructions given to the family cat and the observed behavior. We say “Fluffy, don’t scratch the furniture” and by the observed behavior it is obvious that the cat heard “Fluffy, blah blah …scratch the furniture”. Or in the case of the family dog, “Ginger, who’s the best little doggie? Is Ginger a good little doggie?” And it is clear that Ginger heard: “Ginger, blah, blah, blah, blah. Ginger, blah, blah, blah”
