Playing Instruments With Braces

Playing Instruments Like Trumpets With Braces

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments such as trumpets? An embouchure adjustment will likely need to be made initially after braces are on. For some patients, although not many, the use of brace covers are preferred for extra comfort. “Embouchure” is the use of facial muscles and the shaping of the lips to the mouthpiece of woodwind instruments or the mouthpiece of the brass instruments such as trumpets for example. Jamie R., a previous patient of Vakani Orthodontics in Stuart FL, discusses her experience with playing a musical instrument during and after braces in the following video.

Playing A Musical Instrument During Braces

In the first part of the video, Jamie describes in detail how she needed to adjust her embouchure when she first had her braces put on. “I am told by patients that they need to loosen their embouchure when they first start playing their instrument after getting their braces placed.” Arvind K. Vakani, DMD, MS

Playing A Musical Instrument After Braces

In the second part of the video, Jamie describes what it’s like playing a musical instrument after her braces were removed. She needed to adjust her embouchure once again when she first had her braces removed. “I am told by patients that they need to tighten their embouchure when they first start playing their instrument after getting braces removed.” Arvind K. Vakani, DMD, MS

Using Comfort Cover™ For Braces

Comfort Cover™ is a flexible plastic lip protector from rubbing against braces. Comfort Cover™ snaps onto the metal brackets securely and covers your entire braces. Wearing Comfort Cover™ over braces can make it easier to play a musical instrument with metal brackets by helping avoid pain caused by friction with lips and cheeks.

Comfort Covers are purchased by a set of two, one for the top teeth and the other for the bottom teeth. They are five inches long and come in a plastic storage tube for easy protection and transport. They can be cut to size for a perfect fit.

Caution: Comfort Covers can be a choking hazard if worn while sleeping. They are not returnable due to health regulations. Comfort Cover™ for braces works best on small brackets and straighter arch wires. They may not stay on as securely with certain cases of very crooked teeth. Please contact Vakani Orthodontics for more information.

Musicians With Braces Often Use Wax And Adjust Embouchure

With enough practicing during or after braces, most musicians correct their embouchure and do not have any problems. A survey was conducted by the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics (JCO) asking band members in junior high and high schools about the impact braces had when playing their musical instruments. Most of the flute and single-reed players used wax, which was the most widely used method to ensure comfort while playing a musical instrument. Wax can be applied to each metal bracket, which can help avoid friction on cheeks or lips. Many double-reed and brass players did not need or use brace covers, they just adjusted their embouchure.

Playing Woodwind And Brass Instruments With Braces

The effects of braces can impact the musical ability from the initial discomfort and interference when playing a woodwind instrument. Once again, the embouchure can be adjusted to fix the problem. According to the survey conducted by the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics (JCO), woodwind players seemed to adjust quickly, especially reed-instrument players.

Musicians that play brass instruments such as trumpets have it harder than woodwind players. It takes longer to adjust their embouchure while wearing braces. According to JCO, the average time it took to adjust was one to three months. Brass mouthpieces are pressed against both the upper and lower lips, causing more of an impact.

Source: Journal of Clinical Orthodontics (JCO)
“The Effects of Orthodontic Appliances on Wind-Instrument Players”
VOLUME 40 : NUMBER 06 : PAGES (384-387) 2006
NEIL A. RANEY
URL: https://www.jco-online.com/archive/article-view.aspx?year=2006&month=06&articlenum=384