 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2008-06-25 22:03
So, I've got a wisdom tooth that has a cystic formation around it, and I'm going to have to have it cut out. So, would anyone here be able to tell me whether or not this will affect my playing, and if so, what ways?
Thanks.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2008-06-25 22:08
A change that far back in the mouth should not affect the embouchure directly but will reduce the support for the muscles supporting the embouchure slightly. I would expect that your stamina will be slightly degraded for a short while but that within a few weeks the muscles will regain full support to compensate.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-06-25 22:08
You will have surgery and will not be able to play for an amount of time determined by your surgeon (several days-two weeks).
Afterwards you will play clarinet again with no impact.
James
PS...unless they hit a nerve that they didn't intend to!
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2008-06-25 22:12
Damn. Damn. Damn.
The surgery's at the end of January, which is when I'm very busy. But the thing is, the surgery can't be delayed because the cyst could rupture and it'd be much worse.
So the worst is that I'll have stamina problems and I won't be able to play for awhile? But it won't affect my embouchure. I guess that's workable.
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2008-06-25 23:05
> PS...unless they hit a nerve that they didn't intend to!
I couldn't have my bottom wisdom teeth removed because they are deeply impacted and had grown around my nerve that controls my face muscles.
You shouldn't play for a month, I didn't for six weeks. The chance of a dry socket is not worth it. However, if your teeth aren't seriously impacted, there is less intrusion, and you should be able to play in a week or two.
In the meantime... Enjoy the meds!
;)
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: Ashley91489
Date: 2008-06-25 23:50
I've been curious about this as well. I have to have all four of mine out. Does anyone have an idea of how long I will have to wait until I can play again?
I'm pretty freaked out about the whole thing, pain wise but I'm also worried I won't be able to play for a long time.
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2008-06-26 01:01
Ashley,
I hope that you're as lucky as I was. I had all 4 of my wisdom pulled. They'd emerged from the gum and the oral surgeon didn't have to cut. I waited with ice packs in place for the pain to set in all afternoon. It never did! The reason was that the roots of all four were fused--the teeth had the shape of candy corn. I ate a regular meal that night and could have practiced too. May you and anybody else have such good fortune.
Joseph Brenner Jr
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Author: allencole
Date: 2008-06-26 02:26
25 years ago, I took 3 weeks off after getting all 4 removed. Most of my students, however, are told by their surgeons that they'll be back online in two weeks or less.
Allen Cole
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Author: Tara
Date: 2008-06-26 02:32
I had all four out 4 years ago at age 23. My doctor told me not to play for 2 weeks, but I did some very very light playing (few minutes here and there) after one week. I had no problems, luckily, and after about 3 weeks felt perfectly normal.
Alfred, if January is so busy for you, can't you do the surgery any sooner?
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2008-06-26 02:59
Now that you mention it, I could and should actually have it sooner, because I'm busiest from Nov-to April, so I think I have to.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-06-26 03:35
I had all my wisdom teeth removed, one time two were removed in surgery (i.e. before they were out) and another time two were removed regularly (pulled out). The first time it took over a month for it to get back to normal, the second time I think about two or three weeks. After it stopped to hurt and feel weird everything was back to normal and nothing changed in how I played.
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Author: D
Date: 2008-06-26 09:13
For me the longest lasting effect was strain to the ligaments holding my jaw shut. For a couple of years after my jaw would spontaneously lock up. Worst time was when it slipped out of place and I couldn't shut my teeth together for about 10 days. ........it's better now though!
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-26 22:47
My students have usually been out for one to two weeks but they all come back a little dumber. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
(Listen to a little Mozart, live recording)
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Author: blazian
Date: 2008-06-27 01:10
I just had my wisdom teeth pulled June 9th. Being 15, I guess I rebound more quickly. I must say, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was out the day of the surgery, but could do normal things a few hours afterward. The next day (June 10th), I could play my flute, and the day after I could play my piccolo. I managed my clarinet a week later (June 16th) and my bass clarinet a few days after that. I would've played as soon as I wished after my surgery, but I didn't know if there were any other effects on my mouth BESIDES pain and anguish ![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif) .
- Martin
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Author: LicoriceStick
Date: 2008-06-27 14:28
I had a molar pulled a couple of months ago and I was playing again in about two weeks. When I was in college I was off a month - my wisdom teeth were severely impacted and infected to boot. I had 'em pulled over Christmas break so no playing time was lost, only (much-needed!) practice time.
Ed, you are a scream. (Maybe that's what happened to me!!!)
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Author: bluemoose
Date: 2008-06-27 23:13
I had my top 2 wisdom teeth out last May and I couldn't play without lots of advil for about a month and a half. My dentist told me I'd be fine in a week, and I was for all other purposes, but playing was quite painful. My teeth were impacted, which may have added to the pain.
If you need your bottom teeth out, MAKE SURE your dentist knows exactly where they are. I was supposed to have mine out along with the top ones, but that morning they were looking at the x-rays and told me that the teeth were sitting directly on top of a nerve and there was a slight possibility that I would lose all feeling in my jaw... "You don't need your jaw for anything, do you?" Needless to say I still have the bottom teeth... they're growing in sideways but they don't hurt yet, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything stays fine. They did say though that if after a CAT scan the teeth were found to be directly on the nerve and causing me pain that people have had success with only removing the top part of the tooth, which would be much safer. Just make sure your dentist knows what's what; my teacher has a friend who played flute but is now suing because her career is basically ruined because of careless dentistry.
Not to scare you or anything. 
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2008-06-28 01:37
At very least, if they mess up my ability to play. I can profit.
![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
Thanks, Blue.
Though, I can hardly say that's worth it...
Post Edited (2008-06-28 01:48)
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2008-06-28 01:46
I will actually be getting my wisdom teeth removed soon also. all four of my wisdom teeth are in for the most part. so i hope it won't be too bad.
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Author: syncopation
Date: 2008-06-28 04:51
I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled last summer, and my dentist told me that I could play after a few days. He was wrong! It took me about two weeks, and then I could only play for a little bit at a time because it hurt too much to play like I was used to. After a week of that I was back to normal, mostly. For a few months afterwards I still had days where it hurt back there when I played, but it didn't hurt so badly that I couldn't just ignore it and play on! My embochure was also messed up a bit, and I had to re-work it when I first started up again. On the other hand, one of my friends had hers out and two days later she was playing her flute like nothing happened!
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Author: blazian
Date: 2008-06-29 04:11
Flute is different. There's something different about the pressure in the mouth (I'm guessing the resistance?). I remember the first time I tried playing after my wisdom teeth were pulled that it was less painful to play with a softer reed. In my previous post I mentioned when I was able to play my flute and piccolo (though not very well). It was much sooner than for clarinet/bass clarinet. I don't know about your embouchure though...
- Martin
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-06-29 04:38
most of my students are playing again within 14 days, many within a week.
after 3-4 weeks they sound like they always do - same tone, etc.
i had this done when i was 24 - i was out of action for about 14 days. no difference in my playing afterwards, except my jaw no longer hurts.
HTH
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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