Please Don't Put Off Your Dental Work
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2026 9:12 am
Off the wall, but necessary to discuss: dental work. A couple of years ago I had a bad fall and lost yet another tooth in my left lower jaw, as well as a crack in my right lower jaw. I did not think much of it at the time, since it "healed," but my playing suffered. Out of nowhere I would crack notes, get the dreaded "double buzz," and so forth. Thinking it was simply my personal lack of discipline, I practiced more, which, ironically, only made things worse.
It came to a head these last few weeks when I was practicing on Souzy at home for upcoming outdoor concerts. Intonation was all over the place. Second space C was so flat even 1+3 with the slide shoved could not bring the pitch up. Was it the small practice room? It could not have been Lee Stofer's work - he would not have let it out of his shop otherwise. Was it mouthpiece? Was it a leak or obstruction in the horn? Etc. I had no clue; I was totally frustrated.
This week, after inevitable scheduling delays and mandatory wait periods for collateral dental work to heal, the implant to heal, the re-doing of what they call the "abutment" for the cap on the implant to better fit my jaw, impressions to get the proper cap made, etc., I finally got the cap this week. I waited as my dentist recommended for the cap to set before picking up a horn today.
WOW! Now that I essentially have a new tooth in my jaw, and now the same number of teeth on either side of my lower jaw, finally I have again a balanced foundation for the lower orbital muscles of the embouchure. Double buzzing is gone. Random cracking of articulations is clearing. Range, both top and bottom, are coming back with good tone and good articulation/intonation. Now, finally, after two years of sorting out the mess of my fall, which includes a line of scar tissue on my lower right embouchure that I had to have other mouthpieces modified for when I play upper brass, by the Grace of God, a lot of hard work, listening to medical and master class professionals, etc., restoration of faculty is getting there. No, it will never be as it was before, but it will be back at a level where community band, Dixieland gigs, brass quintet gigs, etc., will be more enjoyable, not wondering if and when out of nowhere I'm going to splatter all over the floor, so to speak.
So: If you need dental work done, DO IT! NOW! Don't put it off. With inevitable delays in healing, labs to construct and supply the necessary hardware, referrals and conferences between your dentist and your oral surgeon, etc., it is going to take some time anyway. So get your dental work done ASAP.
And I haven't even touched on the usual personal dental maintenance: daily routine, periodic checkups, cleanings, etc., which I am sure all of you do.
Your playing, your director/conductor, your section colleagues, the other members of your ensemble(s), etc., will all thank you for it.
Yes, some will post about dental procedures gone awry. We all understand. Overall, it is better to get it done now than later, with a good referral to a good dentist and if need be oral surgeon. Stuff can happen, but your playing will only further deteriorate over time without good dental work.
It came to a head these last few weeks when I was practicing on Souzy at home for upcoming outdoor concerts. Intonation was all over the place. Second space C was so flat even 1+3 with the slide shoved could not bring the pitch up. Was it the small practice room? It could not have been Lee Stofer's work - he would not have let it out of his shop otherwise. Was it mouthpiece? Was it a leak or obstruction in the horn? Etc. I had no clue; I was totally frustrated.
This week, after inevitable scheduling delays and mandatory wait periods for collateral dental work to heal, the implant to heal, the re-doing of what they call the "abutment" for the cap on the implant to better fit my jaw, impressions to get the proper cap made, etc., I finally got the cap this week. I waited as my dentist recommended for the cap to set before picking up a horn today.
WOW! Now that I essentially have a new tooth in my jaw, and now the same number of teeth on either side of my lower jaw, finally I have again a balanced foundation for the lower orbital muscles of the embouchure. Double buzzing is gone. Random cracking of articulations is clearing. Range, both top and bottom, are coming back with good tone and good articulation/intonation. Now, finally, after two years of sorting out the mess of my fall, which includes a line of scar tissue on my lower right embouchure that I had to have other mouthpieces modified for when I play upper brass, by the Grace of God, a lot of hard work, listening to medical and master class professionals, etc., restoration of faculty is getting there. No, it will never be as it was before, but it will be back at a level where community band, Dixieland gigs, brass quintet gigs, etc., will be more enjoyable, not wondering if and when out of nowhere I'm going to splatter all over the floor, so to speak.
So: If you need dental work done, DO IT! NOW! Don't put it off. With inevitable delays in healing, labs to construct and supply the necessary hardware, referrals and conferences between your dentist and your oral surgeon, etc., it is going to take some time anyway. So get your dental work done ASAP.
And I haven't even touched on the usual personal dental maintenance: daily routine, periodic checkups, cleanings, etc., which I am sure all of you do.
Your playing, your director/conductor, your section colleagues, the other members of your ensemble(s), etc., will all thank you for it.
Yes, some will post about dental procedures gone awry. We all understand. Overall, it is better to get it done now than later, with a good referral to a good dentist and if need be oral surgeon. Stuff can happen, but your playing will only further deteriorate over time without good dental work.