 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kim
Date: 2002-04-20 14:46
Hello all,
I was wondering whether any of you have had wisdom teeth removed after they've erupted, and whether it had any type of effect on your playing.
I never had my wisdom teeth removed early on, as, according to my previous dentist, there seemed to be room for them all to grow in, which they did very slowly over a number of years. Well, this proved to not be the case after two of them started growing sideways and which caused multiple infections. Finally, my current dentist insisted that I have them removed.
Well, wouldn't you know, it caused some sound changes (mainly that I had a less focused, more 'hollow' sound), which was not something that I expected. I've had to change some of my equipment as a result. Has anyone had a similar experience?
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Author: clare
Date: 2002-04-20 16:23
I had my wisdom teeth out for similar reasons but didn't notice a change in playing (except that my jaw didn't ache anymore so I could just enjoy the music again).
But are you sure the sound has actually changed, or just the way you hear it?
If there's more space in your mouth now they're gone, perhaps the sound of you playing echoes differently inside your head and then sounds differently to you but might not sound different to anyone else. Since your voice sounds different on tape to when you're speaking, it figures that the way you hear yourself play may not necessarily be what other people here.
[Sorry, you can tell from this that I don't know much about dentistry. Just trying to be helpful...]
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Author: Kim
Date: 2002-04-20 16:50
Well, I have a minidisc player (a digital recorder) with a good microphone that I frequently record myself on, so I'm not just relying on my ears while the clarinet is in my mouth. I also have listened to CD's of performances that I've done with the same mouthpiece/set-up both before and after the surgery and could definitely hear a difference, which is what precipitated the equipment change. (I also FELT like I couldn't focus as well.) So, to answer your question, yes, I'm sure that there has been a sound change.
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Author: forest@woodwind.org
Date: 2002-04-20 17:22
Kim,
How long has it been since your surgery?
F. Aten
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Author: Kim
Date: 2002-04-20 17:48
8 months. One of the holes still has yet to finish closing...
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Author: Steve
Date: 2002-04-21 05:10
I had all my wisdom teeth taken out about a year ago. I don't think you should worry about it too much. My sound did change somewhat, but I got used to what I had to work with, and eventually improved. I think the best way is to try adjusting to the condition. It's like having a less than perfect reed and adjusting to it so it sounds better. Eventually, as you practice working on your embouchure, you should be able to adjust to what you have and get used to it. Good luck.
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2002-04-21 07:15
Out of curiousity, has anyone found that they have liked their sound better after having the teeth removed? Or is it always something that causes a set back?
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Author: 'nifer
Date: 2002-04-21 13:28
I think that the reason that many people notice the sound change is the changed shape of the face, I had a positive experience when I had my wisdom teeth removed (4 impacted) I took a little time off, and after allowing a bit of time to rebuild my embouchure muscles, I sounded the same/slightly better.. (maybe it was just that i took time to THINK about my embouchure when I was rebuilding). It was no HUGE deal.
'nifer
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2002-04-21 16:00
I wonder what the point of wisdom teeth are. They're like appendixes - they're only good for doctor's bills. Mine are growing sideways too, and I will probably have to have them removed.
:,-( (That's supposed to be a frowny face with a tear)
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Author: Robert Gifford
Date: 2002-04-21 20:33
I had my wisdom teeth in for a year before I had them taken out (I had then taken out becuase my bottom two were impacted). I had no problems playing when they were in. Once I had them taken out though, I had the same problem as 'nifter did. My embouchre muscles were greatly (no pun intended) impacted due to the fact they have to cut the jaw muscle to take out the teeth. The sound I get is greatly different (not really any worse or better just different), but thats mainly due to the fact I'm still having to use softer reeds since my embochure isnt back to 100%.
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-04-24 00:55
I don't remember having any problems. All four were removed; they had been impacted. I DID have them out two weeks before I went off to Oberlin in 1986 to study clarinet. That had the most impact on me!!!
I have a student (HS freshman) right now who just had hers removed, and braces installed on the top (luckily, she avoided getting 'em on the bottom!). Her sound doesn't really seem to have been majorly affected, but she's only had one lesson since the surgery.
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Author: forest@woodwind.org
Date: 2002-04-24 04:48
Kim,
Let's hope the "hole" does finish healing...and closes.
I think that you should expect things to be different after a surgery like the one required to remove your wisdom teeth.
I feel sure that with more time you will adjust and be both comfortable and confident about your sound.
Make adjustments slowly. Don't overreact as this can often confuse the issue.
Best of luck,
F. Aten
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Author: Robert Gifford
Date: 2002-04-28 19:41
The main problems I faced were the inability to play as long as I was used to, and the inability to play on the same strength reeds as I was used to. Other things were pretty much the same.
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