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Little influence on tooth position from playing a wind instrument
T Rindisbacher1, U Hirschi, B Ingervall
1Klinik fur Kieferorthopadie, Bern, Switzerland.
The Angle Orthodontist
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Professional wind instrument musicians showed minor differences in dental arch width and overbite compared to non-musicians. Facial morphology remained normal across brass, reed, and flute players and controls.
Area of Science:
- Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Dental Morphology
Background:
- Wind instrument playing requires specific embouchure and breath control.
- Previous research has explored the effects of musical practice on craniofacial development.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for orthodontics and dental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the craniofacial and dental morphology of professional wind instrument musicians.
- To compare morphology between brass players and reed/flute players.
- To identify differences between musicians and a control group.
Main Methods:
- Roentgencephalometry and dental casts were used to record facial and dental morphology.
- Sixty-two adult professional musicians (31 brass, 31 reed/flute) participated.
- Comparison between musician subgroups and a control group was performed.
Main Results:
- Musicians exhibited slightly smaller overbite and upper dental arch width at the canines compared to controls.
- Reed/flute players showed slightly narrower maxillary and mandibular molar widths than controls.
- No significant differences in overjet or overall facial morphology were observed.
Conclusions:
- Wind instrument playing appears to have minimal impact on overall facial morphology.
- Slight dental arch width and overbite variations may be associated with specific wind instrument playing.
- Further research could explore longitudinal effects and specific embouchure mechanics.