Abstract
BackgroundPlaying an instrument may promote a parafunctional behavior within the cranio-cervical-mandibular-complex with unknown repercussions. The aim of this study was to find any association between the dental inter-arch relationship and the practice of a wind or string instrument.MethodsA sample of 77 musicians, divided in two groups of wind (n = 50) and string instrumentalists (n = 27), had a lateral cephalogram taken to compare six cephalometric parameters following the Rickett’s analysis (maxilla position, mandible position, facial type, skeletal class, upper incisor and lower incisor inclination). The Fisher test was performed to compare, with a 95% statistical confidence, if both groups have similar frequency distributions for each cephalometric parameter.ResultsNo statistical differences were found for the maxilla position, mandible position, facial type, skeletal class and upper incisor inclination. Statistical differences were found for the lower incisor inclination (p = 0.011).ConclusionsPlaying a wind instrument showed to have little orthopaedic influence at the craniofacial morphology, on contrary it may influence the lower incisor inclination with its osseous base.
Highlights
Playing an instrument may promote a parafunctional behavior within the cranio-cervical-mandibularcomplex with unknown repercussions
In some cases a correlation has been found between the size and morphology of the jaw, more precisely the height, the length of the mandibular ramus and the angle of the mandible, with the bite force resulting from the primary activity of the masseter muscles [2, 7]
For this purpose one should bear in mind that the activity of playing a wind or a string instrument can promote a parafunction within the cranio-cervical-mandibular-complex (CCMC), since playing a saxophone means that there will require an isometric contraction of the masseter muscle while stabilizing the mouthpiece within the orofacial structures
Summary
Playing an instrument may promote a parafunctional behavior within the cranio-cervical-mandibularcomplex with unknown repercussions. If one takes in consideration that the masticatory system is part of a complex neuromuscular system that coordinates different tasks, which primary functions are mastication, swallowing and speech, and the secondary functions are breathing and the expression of emotions. For this purpose one should bear in mind that the activity of playing a wind or a string instrument can promote a parafunction within the cranio-cervical-mandibular-complex (CCMC), since playing a saxophone means that there will require an isometric contraction of the masseter muscle while stabilizing the mouthpiece within the orofacial structures. During the stabilization of the violin, there will probably be an hyperfunction of the elevator muscles of the masticatory system, since it is common to clench his teeth while holding the instrument between the angle of the mandible, the shoulder and the chest [9]
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