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1. • CommentAuthorlueyfufu
   • CommentTimeJan 21st 2007

    
   I'm considering having braces and surgery and the whole shebang to correct my open bite. One concern I have is that I won't be able to play the clarinet afterwards, or that I'll have to totally relearn how to play again because of my new bite.
   
   Do any of you play a wind instrument? Were you able to go right back to it after your treatment was complete?
2. • CommentAuthorJoanne
   • CommentTimeJan 21st 2007

    
   Unfortunately, from what I've experienced, not much is known in this area. I'd played flute since I was in 4th grade (am soon to be 31 :) ) and, while I was doing research on this, I asked my oral surgeon and orthodontist if continuing playing post-surgery would cause relapse. The answer was two-part. While both of them said they'd hate to see me stop playing, neither of them could guarantee I wouldn't relapse, so my individual decision was to stop playing. I may take it up again if a number of years go by and things are stable, but the jury is still out on that one. I have some lingering numbness and am waiting for that to go away. Hopefully all of it will.
   
   Every case is different. Yes the inside of your mouth will be different, and it might take a while to adjust your emboucher (how you hold the clarinet mouthpiece inside your mouth), but you will be able to adapt. This is something to ask your doctors about, and the person you're seeing for clarinet lessons.
   
   Wishing you all the best,
   Joanne
   lower advancement/genio November 8 2006
3. • CommentAuthorlueyfufu
   • CommentTimeFeb 1st 2007 edited

    
   Thank you for your input, Joanne. I haven't been able to find much about adult woodwind players who have had jaw surgery. I'm starting to wonder if they opt not to have the surgery just because of how it might affect or end their playing career.
   
   How about braces? Are there any wind instrument players in here who tried and/or succeeded in playing while they had braces? :)
4. • CommentAuthorJoanne
   • CommentTimeFeb 1st 2007

    
   When I had braces the first time (when I was 10-13 years old), I played flute throughout that time. There are definitely times when things inside the mouth are sharp (wax, wax and more wax!) but playing was OK. Just took some adjustment.
5. • CommentAuthorThunderDent
   • CommentTimeFeb 20th 2007

    
   I'm fixing my open bite with surgery too, and I play the trumpet (although admittidly not since my ortho started).
   
   I'm hoping after my PDL's settle down post-ortho, I will be able to play as well as before.
   
   With the change in both of our jaws, yes, I imagine we will have to adjust our embasures somewhat, but it can be done!
6. • CommentAuthorjjewell
   • CommentTimeJul 13th 2010

    
   I just got a double jaw surgery done to correct an open bite. I'm in high school and play oboe and flute quite seriously. My orthodontist and surgeon both told me that I should be able to play again in a couple months. Has anybody actually gone through operations and picked music up again? Was it difficult?
   For future readers of this post I have played wind instruments for almost 3 years in braces, it's totally possible.