 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Butler Bulldawg
Date: 2003-06-09 18:09
Well, I've been told that the time has come for me to get my wisdom teeth removed. Yee haw. I'm a sophomore clarinet performance major so if it's going to happen it might as well be now. I got the big speech about the possible side effects of the procedure (infection, hole in the sinus cavity, broken jaw, etc.). I was told that after I would have numbness in my jaw and tongue and lips, but then the doctor dude said that this numbness might be permanent. Definitely freaked me out a little bit. I like to be able to feel my face in its entirety. Anyway, getting to my question, how would permanent damage to the nerve, causing numbness in the lips and tongue, affect my playing? Thanks in advance!
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Author: Anon
Date: 2003-06-09 19:02
It is SO rare to have the numbness become permanent that I wouldn't worry about it...I'm not saying it never happens because I do know someone who had that (not a musician) but it truly is rare.
My father is a dentist and he even told me not to worry myself too much about it.
I had my wisdom teeth out and was playing again within a week or so.
All that being said, my guess is that it could be a serious problem if it were to happen to a musician who needs his face and mouth to play...
Good Luck!
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-06-09 19:15
You have to assess the risks of NOT having your w-teeth removed as well. If you would experience long-term damage to neighboring molars, or if it would compromise your jaw, those greater certainties would suggest getting the procedure.
As a non-DMD, this is only the most humble of opinions, but I would recommend going to an oral surgeon and not a dentist if you decide to have it done. Mine were taken out by a dentist with the usual crowbars and power tools, and it took hours and a great deal of profanity (you do not want your dentist sounding like a frustrated plumber). My wife had hers done by an oral surgeon and she was finished soup-to-nuts in about 45 minutes and was playing a couple days later.
My clarinet teacher in Denver is allergic to anesthetics, so he had his done years ago a la Marathon Man and played a concert the same day. He's an interesting fellow to say the least...
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Author: Anon
Date: 2003-06-09 19:53
I agree with Mark and should have mentioned that my dad did not do my wisdom teeth removal but rather recommended a colleague of his who is an oral surgeon...no crowbars were involved!
He said 1) oral surgeons do a better job and 2) he didn't want to hear me complain!!! hahaha
I think I was done in about an hour and had just a bit of pain that first day...I also had some decent drugs to help me through it!!
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-06-09 20:15
Kristen,
I'm with Mark and Marianne - based on my experience, go to an oral surgeon. Mine started me on antibiotics several days before the extraction to prevent infection. There were no side/after effects other than what one would expect from the loss of a tooth.
My own dentist would not even consider doing it.
It didn't affect my clarinet playing either way.
Best wishes,
Hans
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Author: AJDar
Date: 2003-06-09 20:46
I second all the above comments about seeing an oral surgeon. On a related note regarding numbness...
I had a mandibular reduction (saggital split osteotomy?) over 10 years ago to correct a bad underbite that was beginning to cause jaw problems. I wore braces for 1 year, then had surgery to remove several mm's of bone from each side of the lower mandible, had my jaws "wired" shut, then wore braces another 6 months. This surgery involved some different nerves, but the result was a partial but permanent loss of feeling in my lower lip down to my chin. It feels kind of thick, like a body part that is partly "asleep".
Unlike you, I was not a performance major, so this wasn't as much a concern. However, I loved playing the clarinet and had played all through HS and college. After the braces came off, I joined a community band to get back into playing. It was a bit strange to learn a new embouchure, but the partial numbness didn't hinder my playing. I still made 1st chair in that group. An added benefit to the new jaw location was that my tongueing improved (not that I'd recommend it for that though!)
Darlene
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Author: Brad
Date: 2003-06-09 21:56
Had mine out several years back by an oral surgeon who had me out of there in about an hour. Used only local anesthetic and I didn't feel a thing during the procedure. Pain was moderate for a few days. Ice packs applied on the outside of my mouth helped tremendously with the swelling and the pain. It was about 10 days before I could play again. I had some seriously impacted lowers though. Be careful about playing too soon after the procedure. You want to avoid damaging the blood clots. Doing so could lead to a dry socket situation, painful but easily treated by your dentist.
Good luck!
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-06-09 23:38
Well Butler Bulldawg,
As one of your "doctor dudes", can I recommend that you consider the professional advice of your regular general dental practitioner and take the honest stand, by admitting your worries due to the potential impact on your intended profession.
Contrary to the advice given above to seek an oral surgeon by yourself, can I humbly suggest that you ask your own GDP if a referral to a specialist for a second opinion, would be an appropriate course of action. For all I know your GDP may in fact, be greatly experienced in minor oral surgery procedures. Remember, many of us "doctor dudes" have post grad experience/qualifications in specialist fields.
Although I do appreciate your worries and your natural need to glean information on this subject, each case must be treated on its own surgical merits, problem areas and prognosis.
My final point is that posting this sort of question on a BB will glean, as you have seen above, a mix of "horror stories" or " no problems" from personal experiences, none of which may be appropriate to your case, and of little help, save to increase your apprehension. If you were seeking further professional opinion, there would be a need to supply xrays, history of the complaint, medical history, visual and tactile evidence, none of which you are able to present.
I genuinely hope this has a successful conclusion for you and that you'll be back playing (who knows !), better than ever !!
Regards,
bob49t
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Author: William
Date: 2003-06-09 23:52
I was such a coward that I put off having my impacted wisdom teeth until they were causing problems (ten yrs ago) and had to be removed. My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon and too my surprise, they were both removed (by drilling and splitting) in about four minutes each on seprate visits. I had only local pain killing shots during each visit, Tylenol three after, and I never felt any discomfort or pain (during nor after). And they was no resulting numbness--if fact, the oral surgeon said that it was very rare to damage that particular nerve during the proceedure (he said he carefully watched for it but didn't see it). It went so easy that I regret waitng so long--and I was back playing in about a week.
FYI--one of our legendary local jazz sax players had his four impacted wisdom teeth removed one morning--and played a three hour gig that evening. He did have some "good stuff" for pain management, however.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-06-10 02:38
Just wanted to say that this is one of those "I'm glad this board is here!" moments - I have an appointment with an oral surgeon soon to discuss getting my wisdom teeth removed, and it's nice to see people post that they've had the same thing done w/o any longterm adverse effect on their playing!
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Author: Butler Bulldawg
Date: 2003-06-10 04:40
Thanks to everyone who posted. I've already scheduled my surgery. The oral surgeon and my regular dentist both agree that it's a good idea and my wisdom teeth will have to come out at some point, so why not now when there're no added risks that could arise by my avoiding the surgery. Even though I've opinions from two respected doctors, it helps (well, helps ME at least) to put things in perspective by getting opinions from those who have been in the chair like I soon will be. Thanks again!
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-10 15:17
Since you've already made your decision I can only wish you the best results possible.
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