OMG Braces

[XtremeEuph]

Yes i know this has been discussed a zillion times but i felt i needed personal opinions/support etc.

All of a sudden today my mom tells me we got approval and shes making me get braces! WTF that just completely ruined my entire day, week, month, school year. The only problem with my teeth is that I have an overjet (similar to overbite) and its reallly depressing. How difficult is it going to make my playing/range, how long app., and it sounds like ill be getting them off just before University! WTF there goes my hopes. The affect is similar with removal too right?...................................I feel like crying

[Chuck(G)]

I like the old Miraphone "hybrid" braces with nickel flanges and yellow brass bodies, myself.

[J Stowe]

Ahh, it's ok if you're gonna be a freshman.. They'll be off before you graduate at least! Ok, sorry; not funny, I know. I've had students with braces, and the biggest thing was just making sure that you use wax. I wanna say that I've heard of some type of teeth guard from JetTone or something like that, but I've never known of anyone who's used them. I'm sure your teacher (professor) will have empathy, as well. I'd get with them first about everything. I trust my life with my teacher.

[XtremeEuph]

I like the old Miraphone "hybrid" braces with nickel flanges and yellow brass bodies, myself.

I was just waiting for a smart *** like you to say something like that......hmm

[XtremeEuph]

Ahh, it's ok if you're gonna be a freshman.. They'll be off before you graduate at least! Ok, sorry; not funny, I know. I've had students with braces, and the biggest thing was just making sure that you use wax. I wanna say that I've heard of some type of teeth guard from JetTone or something like that, but I've never known of anyone who's used them. I'm sure your teacher (professor) will have empathy, as well. I'd get with them first about everything. I trust my life with my teacher.

Yeah, i was thinking about auditions though......will my performance be screwed backwards?

[ufoneum]

Xtreme,

I would first like to say that I am sorry that you have to have braces put on - because it sounds like you are pretty down on your luck about it. But, speaking from personal experience - your smile will definitely be better because of it.

I had them, I have students who have them. Just like with any other thing that happens, it will be a bit of a bother but nothing that you can't work through with a bit of patience. You will notice your high range suffering (mostly because any pressing you were doing is now definitely going to hurt), but you'll adapt - and probably be a better player because of it! When you get your braces tightened, just put the horn down - remember to always listen to your body! Best of luck. Don't worry - it'll be over soon.

- Pat Stuckemeyer

[Dan Schultz]

I like the old Miraphone "hybrid" braces with nickel flanges and yellow brass bodies, myself.

I was just waiting for a smart *** like you to say something like that......hmm

I guess that's the BIG difference between being 16 and 60.. huh, Chuck

[Chuck(G)]

I was just waiting for a smart *** like you to say something like that......hmm

Well, gee, what do you want me to say? Your family can obviously afford braces to make your teeth nice and straight. A lot of folks don't have that option. My reaction is "Congratulations!"

Also, how much correction do your teeth need? If it's not much, investigate the Invisalign braces. No mouthful of ugly metal, just progressive plastic bits that you can remove for playing.

<img src="http://www.strangecosmos.com/images/content/8684.jpg" width=400>

[Chuck(G)]

I guess that's the BIG difference between being 16 and 60.. huh, Chuck

Oh, I don't know, Dan. When you're 60, ithe subject line just changes to "OMG Enlarged Prostate"

[circusboy]

And how, exactly, does an enlarged prostate affect your tuba playing, might I ask?

[XtremeEuph]

Ok Ufoneum, you mentioned putting down the horn when tightened. For how long?...band rehearsal is every 2nd day but....AHHH its our Halifax trip next year too, what a load. Anyway, I can live without a few band rehearsals, hey i could learn to be a percussionist (how fun).



And Chuck, the only corrections I need are moving my teeth (or jaw, whichever is done) to align with my top teeth (AKA overjet, also seen as "Buck teeth" to some i guess) and very minor gaps between my teeth that are always fixed when doing braces
actually theres basically no gaps except my front teeth. O ya and the stupid dentist wants to pull my back teeth out to make room for shifting . IM SO MAD! Worry factor: Will i EVENTUALLY be able to get my range back with braces ON, or will I have to wait itll i get them off (wimpers)

[Chuck(G)]

And how, exactly, does an enlarged prostate affect your tuba playing, might I ask?

You can't drink as much beer without having to get up a lot. Significantly cuts down on practice time...

[Dan Schultz]

And how, exactly, does an enlarged prostate affect your tuba playing, might I ask?

You can't drink as much beer without having to get up a lot. Significantly cuts down on practice time...

How true! One of the poor bastards in our Shriners Band (average age about 70!) can't even get through a 3 minute march with having to go take a leak!

[Dan Schultz]

.... WTF ......

WTF???

Izzat a new Yamaha designation?

[ken k]

They have braces you can get that attach to the backs of your teeth. Makes tonguing a bit bothersom but you do not have the pressure problem.

Also there are braces that are ceramic rather than metal so they have a smoother edge to them and do not cut the lip as much. You still have the wires, but the part that is glued on the teeth is ceramic. Ask your ortho. they will use these for athletes sometimes. Also the ceramic part is white so they are less noticable.

The problem may be the "quad" that gets attached inside the mouth if you have to get your molars pushed out and the fronts pullled back in. this is what my daughter had.

Or i had a student who had little hydraulic springs (sort of like the hydraulic struts on the trunk of your car only much smaller) attached between the jaws to pull his lower jaw forward.

These big appliances are the problems more so than the braces. Also you won't feel much like playing when they tighten the wires every few weeks.

But if you play with a proper embouchure setting you can get past them and you will actually learn to play with less pressure and once the braces come off you will advance once again. Temporarily your range and tone will suffer a bit. But I have had two students in particlur who did very well even with the braces. One was a trumpet player which is much more of a bother than the Euph or tuba. The larger mouthpiece instruments are not as bad as horn or trumpet. with the smaller mouthpieces the pressure is put directly on the braces.

It all depends on how much you are willing to work through it.

Also schedule the appointment when they put them on for a down time. Please don't scheudle the week of your concert like my one student did this year. She couldn't play two notes at the concert. If you can do it over the summer it might be the best time so you have some time ot work back in to it a bit.

Good Luck

ken k

[windshieldbug]

Make this an opportunity to learn a good no pressure, air stream embrochure. I had to change majors after an auto accident my sophmore year and learn tuba to do that- and few things as fortunate ever happened to me!

[Ryan_Beucke]

Is it going to feel different? Yup

Is it going to hurt when they tighten them? Yup

But the worst thing you can do is worry about it. Put in a lot of practice time, and you'll eventually learn how to play just as well with them on. Even after you get them off, you'll have to adjust, but just stick with it.

On days that you're going to get them tightened, practice beforehand and then rest for the rest of the day.

Just don't use it as a crutch, and you'll cope.

Good luck!

[Will]

I had braces for 3 years but never thought of it as an excuse. By the time I got them off (10th grade) my rage was a good high C. It was wierd at first when they were off but I just kept practicing and continued where I left off. The best advice has already been given...

Don't use this as a crutch.

Keep practicing.

Listen to your body.

[Kevin Hendrick]

.... WTF ......

WTF???

Izzat a new Yamaha designation?

Stands for "World Tuba Federation", I think ...

[drewfus]

I wore braces top and bottom with a dohickey that bridged across the roof of my mouth that tied the back molars together for 2 years while playing. All the while using a sharp rimmed Conn-Helleberg.

You will adapt just fine.