Klarinet Archive - Posting 000373.txt from 2002/07

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: [kl] False Front Teeth
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 08:00:20 -0400

Tony Wakefield says: "I have had a front tooth capped/crowned for 30 years,
but the tooth has now had to be extracted. I have a temporary plate in order
for the gum to settle and heal. 4 to 6 months I`m told. My aim is then to
have a bridge fitted, which will give me a permanent(?) false front tooth.
I`m told that in order for a bridge to be fitted, it is also necessary for
the two adjacent teeth to also be crowned. I don`t mind this additional
crowning, but I want to know, if possible, how secure (and comfortable for
the embouchure) the false bridged tooth would be for clarinet/sax playing. Is
it going to move up and down, according to my changing lip pressures?"

Tony -

I had a front tooth knocked out when I was mugged 20 years ago. The tooth
was "evulsed," i.e., pulled out by the roots, so there was nothing left to
cap. Also, the other three front teeth were cracked. My genius restorative
dentist ground down the remaining three teeth to nubs and made a permanent
bridge.

Fortunately (?), I also grind my teeth at night, so he had previously made a
cast of my front teeth to make a "night guard." Thus, he had an exact
replica of my conformation to use in forming the bridge.

It's very important to have your dentist make the bridge in the exact shape
of what's being replaced. 40 years ago, I broke a tiny chip out of the tooth
I later lost, and that messed up my embouchure much more than getting the
bridge. From my experience, you should absolutely resist any temptation to
have esthetic "improvements" done. The bridge should match your own tooth
shape exactly.

Don't worry about the bridge shifting. Mine is anchored to three roots and
is absolutely solid.

There is slightly less sensation through the bridge than through my own
teeth, but I play double lip, so it didn't bother me. More difficult to get
used to was the fact that the base of the bridge is wider front to back than
my own teeth. It took a couple of months before I got used to having less
space for the tip of my tongue.

You only get one chance to have this done, and it's your living, so don't try
to save a buck. Also, it helps to go to a dentist who has done restorations
for wind players, or at least get a consultation with one.

Good luck. My restoration is great, and my playing is as good (or bad) as it
ever was.

Ken Shaw

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