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Re: Anyone developed a "TMJ disorder" from playing the clarinet

Author: mtheis
Date: 2018-07-16 06:56

I hope you were able to find a solution to your problem. A little over 40 years ago I was a serious clarinetist who developed a TMJ problem. There were several factors that contributed to the problem. I was clenching my teeth at night, and my teeth and jaw structure is not ideal for playing the clarinet. I found a dentist who knew a lot about occlusion. He made a bite splint for me. I also found that if I used a mouthpiece better suited to my teeth and jaw, it helped. In my case that meant one with a narrower taper so that it didn't force my mouth open as far. Unfortunately I was not able to continue my graduate studies because I could not play enough hours in a day to do what I wanted to do. I became an elementary school teacher and sometimes played the guitar and sang songs with my students. Several former students have mentioned this as a highlight when we have conversed. Anyway, I sincerely hope something worked out for you. It does take many months to heal and to make the needed adjustments in your equipment, etc.

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