 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2004-08-30 23:26
I have this one tooth that is kind of more behind my front two teeth rather than in a straight even line with them. Probably because of my lack of a second set of braces and improper dental work due to my good orthodontist moving to California when I was younger.
Anyway, this tooth causes me not to be able to put the mouthpiece in as far as I would like it to go in. I've gotten used to it over the years, but I always wonder if it's a reason my articulation isn't that great (because my tongue can't get into the best position for where the reed is).
More importantly, this tooth keeps hitting the mouthpiece at times and has chipped two of my mouthpieces. Each time this happens, I keep having to buy a new mouthpiece so it will play better. I just recently purchased a new B40 mouthpiece and it now has some minor chips on it. Thus, I am EXTREMELY agitated, upset, and angry because there really isn't anything I can do about this. I do my best to put the mouthpiece in my mouth without letting it hit the tooth. But it seems that while I play or each time I insert/take-out the mouthpiece from my mouth, the tooth ends up hitting it. The dentist says there's nothing they can do about it because if I get it pulled, there will be a huge gap there and if it is sanded down, then it will just look weird and be very short. I don't know what to do... I don't want this to affect my playing or cause me to keep buying new $65 mouthpieces, especially with Districts/potential All-States coming up.
If anyone knows of anything that I could do, I know it's difficult to really have any advice here, but anything is appreciated. Thanks... :(
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-08-30 23:48
There are almost certainly other options to correct the teeth, involving crowns or implants, but very expensive.
Have your dentist considered a "Michigan splint" concept - a compact plastic mouth-guard that would clip over your straight teeth to make them a little longer while you play.
A makeshift throw-away alternative could be to fold a few sheets of cigarette paper together into a rectangle about 1/2" x 3/4", make it a little soggy with saliva, and fold this over the straight teeth to make them a little longer.
Have you tried using a thick mouthpiece patch to make the mouthpiece thicker where your teeth go, so the tip is further from your crooked tooth? Get it from your clarinet store.
Post Edited (2004-08-30 23:50)
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2004-08-31 00:57
You probably should contact your dentist about this. I might suggest that you look into having him/her make you a custom mouth guard. These are sometimes called athletic mouth guards. The dentist makes a model of your teeth and then uses a vacuum forming machine to make the appliance. In my office that would run you around $25.
As far as chipping the mouthpiece, are you gouging the surface of the beak? If so instead of trashing the piece, why not fill it in with plastic where it is chipped, then cover it with a thick soft mouthpiece patch which you can get at the music store? If it is the tip of the mouthpiece you are chipping then your choices are a dental appliance or to complete your orthodontic treatment. If you are chipping the tip of the mouthpiece you may just need to take more care in placing the mouthpiece into your mouth.
Another appliance which could work is a "retainer" which your dentist could custom make out of denture acrylic. Any appliance is going to require you to become acustomed to it to be playable. I have had friends use these appliances on the lower front teeth to protect their lip, but they should work on the upper also. If your dentist feels unable to help you out with this ask for a referral to an orthodontist who may be able to help.
(I am a pediatric dentist, I don't know how prevalant these problems are as I have never had a patient ask about them, and they don't appear in the dental literature.)
Terry
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Author: marcia
Date: 2004-08-31 04:35
Would you consider braces again? I also had a very crooked front tooth and it was the only one that made contact with the mp. as it was effectivly longer than the other one. After many years of dismissing the idea I have had braces for six weeks now (my second time-had them as a kid) and now even after such a short time I can grip the mp. with both front teeth. I also used to bang the crooked tooth occasionally. Orthodontics is likely the only thing that will give you straight teeth. That's why I finally took the plunge. I know it's a big step but worth considering.
Marcia
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2004-08-31 12:58
Upper tooth.
I want braces again, I do. But I can't take the risk of how it will affect my playing so close to Districts/All-States if I make it.
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Author: Bellflare
Date: 2004-08-31 13:34
Have you considered a duckbill mouthpiece? I think Langenus used to have one.
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