BACKGROUND: Patients who play musical instruments (especially wind and stringed instruments) and vocalists are prone to particular types of orofacial problems. Some problems are caused by playing and some are the result of dental treatment. This paper proposes to give an insight into these problems and practical guidance to general practice dentists. METHOD: Information in this paper is gathered from studies published in dental, music and occupational health journals, and from discussions with career musicians and music teachers. RESULTS: Orthodontic problems, soft tissue trauma, focal dystonia, denture retention, herpes labialis, dry mouth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders were identified as orofacial problems of career musicians. Options available for prevention and palliative treatment as well as instrument selection are suggested to overcome these problems. CONCLUSIONS: Career musicians express reluctance to attend dentists who are not sensitive to their specific needs. General practitioner dentists who understand how the instruments impact on the orofacial structures and are aware of potential problems faced by musicians are able to offer preventive advice and supportive treatment to these patients, especially those in the early stages of their career.
BACKGROUND:Patients who play musical instruments (especially wind and stringed instruments) and vocalists are prone to particular types of orofacial problems. Some problems are caused by playing and some are the result of dental treatment. This paper proposes to give an insight into these problems and practical guidance to general practice dentists. METHOD: Information in this paper is gathered from studies published in dental, music and occupational health journals, and from discussions with career musicians and music teachers. RESULTS: Orthodontic problems, soft tissue trauma, focal dystonia, denture retention, herpes labialis, dry mouth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders were identified as orofacial problems of career musicians. Options available for prevention and palliative treatment as well as instrument selection are suggested to overcome these problems. CONCLUSIONS: Career musicians express reluctance to attend dentists who are not sensitive to their specific needs. General practitioner dentists who understand how the instruments impact on the orofacial structures and are aware of potential problems faced by musicians are able to offer preventive advice and supportive treatment to these patients, especially those in the early stages of their career.
Authors: Miguel Clemente; Joaquim Mendes; André Moreira; Gilberto Bernardes; Henk Van Twillert; Afonso Ferreira; José Manuel Amarante Journal: J Oral Biol Craniofac Res Date: 2019-06-15
Authors: Miguel Pais Clemente; Joaquim Mendes; Joana Cerqueira; André Moreira; Mário Vasconcelos; Afonso Pinhão Ferreira; José Manuel Amarante Journal: Clin Exp Dent Res Date: 2019-09-05