Influence of musical wind instruments on orthodontic treatment : Prevention and things that orthodontists should pay attention to

Abstract

Two types of protectors (paper type and pressed type) were developed to prevent pain that orthodontic patients fitted with multibracket appliances experience when playing a wind instrument. The effectiveness of these protectors was tested on seven orthodontic patients who played a class A instrument (e.g., trumpet) a class B instrument (e.g., clarinet) or a class D instrument (e.g., flute) according to Strayer's classification and on two control subjects (one who played the trumpet and one who played the clarinet). The following results were obtained: 1. The protector should be used on the upper and lower anterior teeth when playing a class A instrument and on the lower anterior teeth when playing a class B or D instruments. 2. Both protectors were found to be effective for preventing pain when playing class B or D instruments. The paper-type protector could be used when playing a class A instrument. The pressed-type protector could be used either on the upper or lower teeth but was difficult to use on both upper and lower teeth when playing a class A instrument. 3. A class A instrument produces pressure acting on both upper and lower teeth in the lingual direction, and a class B instrument produces pressure acting on upper anterior teeth in the labial direction and on lower anterior teeth in the lingual direction. The protectors used in this study appear to be beneficial for orthodontic patients who play certain classes of wind instruments.