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MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS
Which May be Best for Your Child's Dentition?

Wind instruments have been shown to impact the occlusion of children, depending upon the child's orthodontic profile and the type of instrument played. Wind instruments exert pressures on various oral structures. These pressures can be a benefit or liability to the child's oral growth and development.

Five significant articles have been written about the subject of wind instruments and their influence on the myology (muscles), dentition (teeth) and jaw structures. These include Strayer (1939), Pang (1976), Parker (1957), Herman (1974) and Wiesner (1973). The studies drew conclusions which differed somewhat but all demonstrated that there is an impact on the developing dentition.

Four classes of instruments were identified based upon the resulting forces applied to the oral/facial structures. The summarized findings are:

TYPE of INSTRUMENT IMPACT

1. Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, French Horn

Good for overjet (Class 11, Div 1) (buck teeth).
2. Clarinet, Saxophone Bad for overjet (Class II, Div 1).
Good for Class III (forward lower jaw).
May cause open bite.
3. Oboe, Bassoon, English Horn May be good for open bite (space between upper and lower teeth).
Good for overjet (Class II, Div 1).
Bad for crowded Class I (normal bite but crowded teeth).
4. Flute, Piccolo Good for Class I and Class III.
Bad for overjet (Class II, Div 1).

The purpose of this article is to help you, as a parent, understand that certain musical wind instruments can impact the facial structure and function of a developing child. For instance, if a child has an open bite or "buck teeth", playing the saxophone or clarinet would apply pressures which could worsen the condition, as these instruments force the upper teeth out and lower teeth in. It would be better to consider having this child play the trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, oboe, bassoon, English horn, flute or piccolo. These instruments, when played, apply pressure to the upper teeth, helping them to become less "buck".

In choosing which instrument would benefit your child there are several factors which come into play including the function of the lips, tongue, teeth and jaw position. Each child should be considered individually. If a child is in the process of selecting an instrument to play, there are several which will not harm the teeth and their alignment as opposed to one which might cause the potential worsening of an existing problem. Feel free to discuss this further with me.

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