A study of the effects of playing a wind instrument on the occlusion

Grammatopoulos, Ektor (2010). A study of the effects of playing a wind instrument on the occlusion. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of playing a wind instrument on the occlusion. Subjects and method: One hundred and seventy professional musicians were selected from twenty-one classical orchestras and organisations. The subjects were subdivided according to the type of instrument mouthpiece and included thirty-two large cup-shaped mouthpiece brass players (group A.L), forty-two small cup-shaped mouthpiece brass players (group A.S), thirty-seven single reed mouthpiece woodwind players (group B) and fifty-nine string and percussion instrument players (control group). Impressions were taken for each subject and various parameters were assessed from the study casts. Statistical analysis was undertaken for interval variables with one-way analysis of variance and for categorical variables with Chi-square tests. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in overjet, overbite, crowding, Little’s Irregularity Index and prevalence of incisor classification between the wind instrument players and the control group, p>0.05. However, group A.L had a significantly higher prevalence of buccal crossbites than all the other groups, p<0.05. Conclusions: Playing a wind instrument does not significantly influence the position of the anterior teeth and is not a major aetiological factor in the development of malocclusion. However, playing a brass instrument with a large cup-shaped mouthpiece may predispose to buccal crossbite development.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

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