Klarinet Archive - Posting 000944.txt from 2001/01

From: Bernard Hunt <bernie@-----.uk>
Subj: [kl] Dental advice needed.
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 12:52:48 -0500

All,

I have recently heard from a friend who is in a pretty desperate situation,
and we are looking for any help or advice.

The background is that she is an English girl, who graduated in music in
the early 90s. She then moved to Slovenia, where she built a career as a
performer, and clarinet teacher at one of their music schools. However,
she is now faced with having to give that all up, unless anyone has any
good suggestions.

Her summary of her situation is:

> - Aug 1998: Visited dentist in England for check up. Mentioned my concern
> that upper left front tooth had slightly twisted. Dentist said there was
> nothing to worry about but that there was a small hole there which needed
> filling immediately. From that day on (after filling) tooth became very
> painful after playing the clarinet.
> - Aug to Dec 1998: Started to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth (helped for
> a few weeks), then changed to an easier blowing mouthpiece (helped for about
> a month).
> - Jan 1999: Changed to double lip embouchure (helped for about a year
> although stamina was a big problem and, though improved in time, never what
> it used to be. Gave up all solo playing).
> -Feb 2000: Visited the first of ten specialist dentists. Said pain could be
> caused because tooth was twisted. Removed my wisdom teeth. Third specialist
> built me a toothguard (helped in combination with double embouchure for
> about 2 months but gradually had to reduce playing time and increase number
> of days/weeks rest). Tried a new kind of filling - no improvement.
> -May to Sept 2000: Rested and visited many more specialists. Tried
> acupuncture - no improvement in toothache but jaw felt better. Dr told me
> that double lip embouchure had caused too much strain on joints and I should
> stop immediately.
> - Sept 2000: New kind of tooth guard/cushion support. (Allowed me to play
> for a few minutes a week for about 3/4 weeks) Tried having no filling - no
> improvement. Tried injection - no improvement. Visited three orthodontic
> specialists. Told me all my teeth had been pushed forward and inwards and
> that I needed braces and headgear for about 3 years!!
> - Oct 2000: Impossible to blow even for a few a seconds. Permanent pain even
> without playing. Under ultraviolet light, 10th dentist discovered that tooth
> was fractured.
> - Nov 2000: Tried covering it with veneer and built a permanent support to
> stop further twisting - even more painful - removed it a week later.
> - Dec 2000: Finally stopped visiting the dentist and gave up all attempts at
> trying to play. They also gave up on me, said they'd never seen such a case
> in Slovenia and that I had to choose what to do next. I now have permanent
> toothache without playing the clarinet! It's still tolerable but gradually
> getting worse. I think I should really have the tooth removed but there's no
> room for a false one because the others have all pushed forward so much!

We are now looking for any ideas at all - at this stage there is no need
to apply restrictions involving travel, money etc. - we can do that later
if we have to.

Please send any suggestions to me (or the list), and I will ensure that they
are forwarded to my friend.

Many thanks in advance,

Bernie Hunt (bernie@-----.uk)

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