Klarinet Archive - Posting 000877.txt from 1999/04

From: Rachael Gillett <witch58@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Orthodontic Surgery and the Clarinet
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 17:34:21 -0400

--- DCohen@-----.com wrote:
> My 18 year old son, who is heading for a career as a
> clarinetist, has been
> advised to have orthodontic treatment ( braces) followed
> by orthognathic
> surgery. This is to correct an underbite (class 3
> malocclusion) which our
> dentist holds will lead to drastic degradation of
> especially the front teeth
> in the future.
>
> I would very much like to hear from anyone who has had to
> undergo the same
> or similar treatment, what it meant for their playing and
> how soon (if ever)
> they got back to the same level of proficiency.
>
> Kind regards
> Danny Cohen
>
Hi,
about 4 years ago I went through treatment similar to what
you discribe, I lost 8 teeth and had braces up until about
a year ago. After having major orthodontal surgery and
being treated for mild tmj I found it much easier to
progress on my clarinet, granted I was quite a bit younger
then and had many problems adjusting to the difference of
my mouth (mainly dealing with my underbite being closer to
an overbite by the time they were finished) but I was told
anytime I felt comfortable enough after my mouth had healed
from surgeries that I was allowed to start playing again.
I was about 12 at the time and completely devistated that I
couldn't play but after I healed I ended up having to go to
an instructor 2-3 times a week to learn how to play again
(this time with the correct embuchure). It was a difficult
task but if he's not a quitter he will make it through. I
don't know how other people have done it but this has been
my experience. Good Luck
Rachael

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