Orthodontics

Are you going to be getting braces soon?   You may be wondering if you’ll still be able to play your instrument once those brackets are placed. While this is a common concern, the good news is that your braces shouldn’t interfere very much with playing your instrument after the first 2 weeks.  While it is a nuisance for sure, your mouth will grow accustomed to the new hardware on your teeth and will adjust in time.  

Please read below for specific input about when it would be best to get them based on the effects braces have on playing a woodwind or brass instrument.  

Timing: It takes an average of 2 weeks to get used to playing an instrument after getting braces.  If you are thinking of getting braces, a good rule of thumb is not to get them 3 weeks before a performance.  This 3 week period will allow for the 2 week "grace period" of getting used to them and then 1 more week to perfect your part with the braces.    

Appointments: Please refer to the Calendar of Events HERE to check the dates of our performances and schedule your Orthodontics appointment accordingly.  

The below excerpt is from the article "Can I still be in band with braces?", ww.saddlecreekortho.com from September 15, 2020.  This has great information about braces and being in band. 

"Practice, patience, and persistence is the key to excelling at any skill, including music. These virtues also come in handy when it comes to braces! Practice will be especially important in helping you get comfortable with playing an instrument while undergoing orthodontic treatment. In the first few days, it will definitely feel strange and maybe even a little uncomfortable. This can be especially pronounced with an instrument like a trumpet or trombone (or Tuba and Horn), but woodwinds can have the same effect. 

Frequent practice will build calluses up on the inside of your lips and make them less sensitive. It will also give you a chance to retrain the way you place your mouth on the mouthpiece, which will need some adjusting after you have braces put on. The entire process can take a week or so, but before you know it, playing with your braces on will feel completely natural.

For most patients who play instruments, braces won’t affect their tonguing. This can occur, however, if any part of the braces are on the backside or inside of the teeth. An expander is a good example of this. This appliance goes across the top of the mouth, so if you’ve been trained to tongue against the roof of your mouth, that will no longer be a good option and you’ll have to work on a new style. 

We’ve found that many orthodontic patients will tongue against the bottom edge of their top row of teeth when playing their chosen instrument. This seems to give them a bit more control, and it also allows them to avoid an expander or any other part of the braces that may be on the inside of their teeth. Find what feels comfortable for you and practice so you can develop new muscle memory for your chosen method! 

Quite literally, most musicians will need to use more breath while playing an instrument in braces. This tends to affect woodwinds the most, since they often find themselves clamping down harder on the mouthpiece than they used to. More figuratively, though, this is the perfect time to reassess your current practice routine. Since you’re already adjusting the way you play in some ways, give some thought to your normal routine and see if there are any mistakes you can correct going forward.

Not sure where to start? Go soft and slow with the low tones first to find the most comfortable position for your mouth that also gives you the best sound. As we mentioned above, your muscle memory for playing is going to be disrupted, so give your mouth time to find the most optimal new position. From there, you can work your way up to the higher notes, slurring as you go. When you pay attention to your positioning, your breath, and your braces, you’ll sound better than ever!

If you’re truly worried about how traditional braces will affect your musical abilities, don’t be afraid to explore other treatment options. Even though braces are unlikely to interfere with performances, some musicians aren’t excited about the idea of an adjustment period and don’t want to have to learn new tricks of the trade. Saddle Creek Orthodontics offers Invisalign and Invisalign Teen as an alternative to braces, and Dr. Fagala can let you know if you’re a candidate for this treatment when you schedule a free consultation with us! 

Instead of brackets and wires, the Invisalign system uses a series of clear aligners to gently move the teeth over time. Because they’re designed to be removable, Invisalign aligners give patients an extra degree of freedom and flexibility. That means you can take them out for short periods of time, like practices and performances, then put them right back in when you’re done. Invisalign can be an excellent option for anyone looking for a treatment option that won’t affect their lifestyle! In many cases, the aligners work just as well as braces at achieving a healthy, beautiful smile."

If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Niehoff at sniehoff@fcps.edu.