Influence of playing wind instrument on malocclusion in adolescents

Abstract

Objective To investigate the influence of playing wind instrument on malocclusion. Methods A survey of 210 undergraduates from Sichuan Conservatory of Music was undertaken and all the subjects were divided into 4 groups (group 1: 26 subjects, instruments with aperture mouthpieces; group 2: 42 subjects, instruments with single-reed mouthpieces; group 3: 18 subjects, instruments with cup-shaped mouthpieces; group 4: 124 subjects, control group) according to playing a wind instrument or not and the categories of wind instruments. Questionnaire surveys were taken. Results 1) Chin deflection in group 3 (with cup-shaped mouthpiece), mandibular retrusion in group 2 (with single-reed mouthpieces) and mandibular protrusion and retrusion in group 1 (with aperture mouthpieces) were more common than in the control group. No statistically significant differences were found in the rate of incompetent lips and maxillary convexity among groups. 2) No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). 3) Statistically significant difference was found in lower midline deviation among groups. The prevalence of increased overjet in group 2 (with single-reed mouthpieces)was higher than that in the control group. No statistically significant differences were found in the rate of crowding, space, overbite, and the canine as well as first molar relationships among groups. Conclusions Playing wind instrument increased the prevalence of malocclusion and the manifestations depended on the categories of wind instruments. Key words: Malocclusion; Wind instrument; Practice routine