Front teeth gap

[lgb&dtuba]

Last July I had crowns put on both my front teeth. Since I was fundamentally replacing both teeth I also had them resculpt them so that they no longer protruded. The dentist did a fantastic job and I've cosmetically been very happy.

But...

One of the things that happened in this process is that I no longer have a gap between my front teeth. There's enough space to get dental floss through, but not air.

I didn't realize before doing this how much I was used to having that gap. It's affected speech. F's and V's have a full stop in the air flow now.

I feel like it's affecting my playing, too. I can't really say objectively whether the missing gap is a bad thing or not. It's just different. I have to be careful about not getting air trapped between my upper lip and teeth no because it can't leak back. It certainly affects my embouchure. Not as much as having straight teeth has, but some effect anyway.

So, all that to pose the question to the Tubenet Freak Jury.

I can have the dentist do a little work, expand the space just enough so that air can get through. Has anyone else here experienced this situation, and if so, were you happier with or without the gap as far as playing goes?

Jim Wagner

[windshieldbug]

I haven't experienced it, but lots of people don't have a gap, like myself, and we manage to muddle along just fine. I've never had a problem with trapped air. I think you'll get used to playing like the rest of us after an adjustment period, and you'll never even think about it again.

Next freak!...

[JB]

Last July I had crowns put on both my front teeth. Since I was fundamentally replacing both teeth I also had them resculpt them so that they no longer protruded. The dentist did a fantastic job and I've cosmetically been very happy.

But...

One of the things that happened in this process is that I no longer have a gap between my front teeth. There's enough space to get dental floss through, but not air.

I didn't realize before doing this how much I was used to having that gap. It's affected speech. F's and V's have a full stop in the air flow now.

I feel like it's affecting my playing, too. I can't really say objectively whether the missing gap is a bad thing or not. It's just different. I have to be careful about not getting air trapped between my upper lip and teeth no because it can't leak back. It certainly affects my embouchure. Not as much as having straight teeth has, but some effect anyway.

So, all that to pose the question to the Tubenet Freak Jury.

I can have the dentist do a little work, expand the space just enough so that air can get through. Has anyone else here experienced this situation, and if so, were you happier with or without the gap as far as playing goes?

Jim Wagner

I also had crowns to replace my front top two teeth (knocked out as a result of a sports accident). Yes, there will be a difference, whether intentional or not. But, like most all similar dental work (including replacement upper plates) that affect speech and articulation, you will adapt to the change in physical structure with the passing of time. I have noticed this myself each time my crowns have been replaced over an almost 30-year period.

If I were you and knowing now what I didn't know back then, I would just bide my time. Sooner or later they will feel natural to you (and similarly with your playing as well).

And, know that they may move apart slightly on their own over time. Mine started out being firmly together, but --again over many years with constant playing -- there is now a noticeable gap. Thus, what might be a minor adjustment now could wind up being a problem later on if they separate on their own.

My own experience, FWIW.

[Rick Denney]

One of the things that happened in this process is that I no longer have a gap between my front teeth. There's enough space to get dental floss through, but not air.

I had the opposite experience. As a small child, I broke the center out of my two front teeth in a skateboard accident. I wore caps (and endured the laughter) until I was 18 or so, and then my teeth were reconstructed with Nuvofill. That lasted without incident until about three or four years ago, when the fill material broke away from the right tooth on a piece of crusty Italian bread.

I actually went to the dentist in preparation to have my teeth crowned, but ended up spending the next three visits having an assortment of other issues dealt with first. By the time she was ready to do the crown, I'd gotten used to the snaggle-toothed appearance and no longer really cared about the cosmetic aspect.

And my sound improved. The effect was not subtle, but then providing a properly open embouchure has always been a problem for me.

I got used to the effect on my speech and now place my tongue a bit differently to avoid the lisp.

Rick "no longer planning on crowns" Denney

[lgb&dtuba]

And my sound improved. The effect was not subtle, but then providing a properly open embouchure has always been a problem for me.

I got used to the effect on my speech and now place my tongue a bit differently to avoid the lisp.

Rick "no longer planning on crowns" Denney

So, just to be sure I correctly understood you, in your case having the gap was an improvement?

If so, that sort of agrees with what I'm dealing with. After closing the gap I've felt that the air flow was somewhat constricted.

I realize that everyone's experience is going to be different, and that's one of the reasons I'm looking for opinions from people who have had it both ways; with and without a gap.

I'm leaning towards leaving things alone for another couple of months to see if things work out. But it's been four months of our busiest time of year playing and it still doesn't feel right. If I haven't adjusted by now to no gap I'm not sure I ever will.

The good news is that now that my front teeth don't protrude it has significantly helped my high range on all 3 instruments. So, what we're talking about is a fine adjustment, not the major change that has already happened.

Thanks for all the input.

Jim "My dentist is going to hate me" Wagner

[tubatooter1940]

Good luck, Jim. You are paying the price and you are the only one you need to please.
There are so many choices.
Playing tuba with implants and dentures since 1995,
toots

[Alex C]

I had to have reconstructive dental work done 5 years ago and lost the gap in my front teeth. I found the feel different but... the best way to deal with it is to ignore it and work on sounding the best you can.

[MartyNeilan]

Just smile and play!

[Rick Denney]

So, just to be sure I correctly understood you, in your case having the gap was an improvement?

Yes. But it's more than just a narrow gap between normal teeth. About a third of my right front tooth is missing, leaving quite a space.

It took me several months to get used to speaking again without a lisp. I make verbal presentations to groups weekly if not daily, and it threw me off my stride for a while. But I got used to it. I have this feeling a crown would put me back to square one.

Rick "who has a hard time eating some meats, however" Denney