HI

MY 9 YEAR OLD SON HAS BEEN PLAYING CLARINET FOR 2 AND 1/2 YEARS. HE HAS BROKEN OFF HALF OF ONE OF HIS TOP FRONT TEETH. THE DENTIST SAID THAT THE TOOTH CANNOT BE BUILT UP UNTIL SIX MONTHS HAVE ELAPSED. HE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL HE IS AN ADULT BEFORE HE CAN HAVE A CROWN FITTED. THE DENTIST DOESN'T SOUND VERY HOPEFUL OF HIM BEING ABLE TO PLAY THE CLARINET AGAIN, AND UNDERSTANDABLY WE ARE WORRIED.

FIRSTLY, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE OF SOMEONE PLAYING WITH HALF A FRONT TOOTH MISSING?

SECONDLY, WHAT ABOUT PLAYING WITH A CROWN?

THIRDLY, IF THE WORST DOES COME TO THE WORST AND HE CANNOT PLAY THE CLARINET AGAIN, CAN YOU SUGGEST AN GOOD ALTERNATIVE INSTRUMENT FOR HIM TO TRY?

ANY HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.

Hi

Sorry to hear about your son's problem with his tooth. I smashed both of my new front teeth out when I was seven, started playing the clarinet at 9 and have always played with crowned teeth. I was given temporary crowns to start with but certainly had them straight away at 7 and that is nearly 40 years ago.

I have never had any problems playing with crowns at all and clearly I don't know the circumstances about why your son can't have a crown straight away, but don't give up on the clarinet it would be a shame to see all his work so far go to waste

Best wishes

devonclari

What does the dentist think will be the problem with playing the clarinet?
I wouldn't have though that it would (or should) put an awful lot of pressure on the teeth and the top less than the bottom.

Hi,
I'm sorry about your son's accident. When I was nearly 10, I knocked both of my front top teeth out and my clarinet teacher told me I should look for another instrument as I'd never be able to play again. My Dad asked other clarinettists if this was true- and it wasn't. I didn't play whilst the mouth was a mess- but I soon began to play again. I had false teeth- after 6 weeks (not months). My dentist always knew I played the clarinet and he ensured that all my false teeth (and now 6 teeth bridge) were strong enough for this purpose.

I'm not sure why the dentist has said he can't crown it for 6 months- you don't put much pressure on the top teeth when playing. My husband is a dentist- (if you need lots of work doing on your teeth, marrying a dentist is a good idea) I will ask him later!!

Playing with a crown will be fine- I teach it and I have a 6 tooth bridge....

You could use orthodontic wax on the tooth to make it smooth so that it doesn't catch your lip when playing.....

I was thinking along these lines too. Your top teeth should only rest on the mouthpiece , not grip it so will it make a difference? Has he tried to play? What exactly does he say the problem is? Have heard about some people doing a double lipped embouchure - Don't know why or exactly how but could this help if air is escaping etc????

Hope he sorts it out? I take it he does really enjoy the clarinet and would be sad to stop.


BTW welcome to the forums pinotgrigio

Welcome ot the Forums!1

My daughter uses a double emouchure on Clarinet and Sax, it's what she's used ot being a first study Oboist. Last year we went to a Sax masterclass and the person leading it used a double embouchure until post G8. Perhaps it's worth a try.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR REPLIES. IT'S SOUNDS AS IF IT MAY NOT BE AS HOPELESS AS THE DENTIST MADE IT SOUND.

THE DENTIST SAID THAT WHEN THE TOOTH IS BUILT UP/ADDED TO, IT WILL BE VERY WEAK, TOO WEAK TO PLAY. I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHY HE CAN'T HAVE A PROPER CROWN UNTIL ADULTHOOD, EITHER?!

YES, MY SON LOVES PLAYING. IT'S SUCH A SOCIABLE INSTRUMENT, HE IS IN HIS SCHOOL ORCHESTRA AND HE WAS THINKING ABOUT JOINING A MARCHING BAND.

HE CAN ATTEMPT TO PLAY AGAIN IN ONE WEEK AND WE'LL HAVE OUR FINGERS CROSSED UNTIL THEN.

THANKS FOR THE WELCOMES.

Hi

I really think your son will be fine, as it is his lips forming the seal around the mouthpiece, my early temporary crowns were not a good fit and used to come loose etc, I managed to keep playing throughout and my dentist didn't ever suggest my teeth would be a problem. What has your son's teacher said?

devonclari

I also broke half of my front tooth when I was about 9 years old, and the dentist said she wouldn't use a crown until after I had braces. She just attached a fake tooth to the remainder of my tooth. In my experience this is very strong. I never encountered any problems in playing clarinet, saxophone or horn. I do use fairly thick mouthpiece patches to be on the safe side, but I don't think I really need It. I think the removal of my braces where a bigger test, and it survived that too. In fact now it's 17 year later and I still can't be bothered to exchange it for a proper crown. So unless your dentist will be using a very different method for your son I also think he will not have real problems playing clarinet.

Spoke to my husband who said it was good practice to wait 6 months before crowning a tooth to check it's still alive!!!
I couldn't have my bridge until I was 18 as my arch would grow as I grew through adolescence and it would be difficult with a fixed bridge in .....

I'm sure he's going to be able to play with a broken tooth- just get the orthodontic wax if it hurts him (I know a locla clarinettist / saxophonist who uses it for his jagged bottom teeth- but unless he has a double embouchure, his top teeth probably won't hurt him!!!!)

I first started playing the clarinet aged 5/6 so went through losing milk teeth and waiting for adult teeth to grow back - it didn't affect my playing - even when I had removable "plate" braces fitted - I opted not to remove them for playing. I simply adjusted my embouchure slightly. It happened automatically - children tend to be far more adaptable - especially if it is for something they are passionate about.

Good luck!

I've been playing clarinet for 5 years and never broke my front teeth before.. wonder how your son does that... the only problem is that it will hurt sometimes and better dont practice too much when the teeth starts to get hurt! I have a friend playing sax had her teeth "repaired" starting she say she cant play, but now she able to play again, maybe it needs some time to let the muscle to get stronger and used to the fake teeth, but it will be ok. Hop your son having happy days with his clarinet~

Sorry to hear about your sons tooth accident...very unfortunate. I may be able to help you if you live within spitting distance of London I have an excellent dentist in Portland Place who knows how important teeth to a woodwind player are. if you need more information please Private message me.

Andrew