Re: Mouth and Jaw Pain and Horn Playing

[Guest guest]

There are no guarantees with orthognathic surgery. It may or may

not help his horn playing. I wish I could give you a better answer

than that, but every person is unique and although there are some

generalizations we can make about the results of orthognathic

surgery, no one can predict and absolutely accurate outcome. I can

say from my own experience as a brass player (trombone, tuba,

baritone), that it could possibly help. He should be able to resume

playing after surgery, though it will be at least six weeks post-op

before he would be able to do so, and that doesn't count how long it

could take for nerves to regenerate, and the nerves affected by

orthognathic surgery are very important for playing any brass

instrument. It's been a while since I've played, though that is not

as a result of surgery, but odds are in your son's favor that the

surgery would help and he would be able to play afterwards.

> My 19 year old son has severe jaw pain, an overbite, and he plays

> several brass instruments in college. He says the pain has

> increased steadily for the past 4 years. (I am only now finding

out

> about it.) It has gotten to the point that he cannot play without

> pain. Does anyone have any information about orthognathic surgery

> and horn playing? Does it help? Will he be able to resume horn

> playing after surgery? Anything else you can think of. Please

> help. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Look in the links. Although I'm no horn player, there are a couple of

links that have to do at least with braces, embouchure, brass

instruments, etc.

If I'm not mistaken, Andy (msu guy) is also a horn player who's been

through the route...

Good wishes to you,

Cammie

> My 19 year old son has severe jaw pain, an overbite, and he plays

> several brass instruments in college. He says the pain has

> increased steadily for the past 4 years. (I am only now finding

out

> about it.) It has gotten to the point that he cannot play without

> pain. Does anyone have any information about orthognathic surgery

> and horn playing? Does it help? Will he be able to resume horn

> playing after surgery? Anything else you can think of. Please

> help. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

I would be VERY cautious about this. I used to play trumpet for many

years. I was first in Michigan, in 10 different bands, section

leaders, and in other numerous competitions. I was dedicated, and

loved what I did. The pain got to be so bad that I thought

orthognathic surgery suppot would help with my tmj problems and my

playing ability. Unfortunately, I have no feeling in my bottom lip

and chin - and my playing ability has greatly suffered. Ofcourse, my

case could be totally rare - but if you have any questions, don't

hesitate to email me at browna44@....

Take Care,

Andy

> > My 19 year old son has severe jaw pain, an overbite, and he plays

> > several brass instruments in college. He says the pain has

> > increased steadily for the past 4 years. (I am only now finding

> out

> > about it.) It has gotten to the point that he cannot play

without

> > pain. Does anyone have any information about orthognathic

surgery

> > and horn playing? Does it help? Will he be able to resume horn

> > playing after surgery? Anything else you can think of. Please

> > help. Thanks.