Ore. woman’s ‘accent’ remains long after surgery

A year and a half later, her “foreign’’ accent remains, and her story has traveled around the world.

The 56-year-old tax consultant from Toledo, Ore., has found her life transformed by the dental procedure, which left her with dentures, and — depending on whom you ask — an Eastern European, Swedish, or British accent.

Butler had all her top teeth and front bottom teeth removed in November 2009 because of gingivitis. A week later the swelling had gone away, but she still sounded strange. Her dentist told her she just had to get used to her new teeth.

But as weeks stretched on with no change, Butler did some online research. She diagnosed herself with Foreign Accent Syndrome, a medical condition with only a few dozen documented cases.

The syndrome is often the result of brain injury, said Dr. Helmi Lutsep, professor and vice-chair of the Department of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University.

“We don’t know exactly how or why it happens, but it simply affects rhythm of language,’’ Lutsep said. Butler believes she has not had a stroke or brain trauma. She said she has been unable to get a brain scan because she said her medical insurance will not cover it.