Wind Instruments and their Influence on Oral Cavity: Systematic Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Playing wind instruments is causing additional forces that influence dentition and may create malocclusions or escalate existing anomalies in the oral cavity. There are four types of wind instruments grouped according to the structure of the mouthpiece/ reed. Each group of wind instruments may influence the health of oral cavity, i.e. change occlusal conditions, irritate oral mucosa and cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Under certain conditions a correctly chosen instrusment may support orthodontic treatment, causing a faster correction of the existing disorder. Aim The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of playing wind instruments on the oral cavity including the positive effect on the reduction of existing dental disorders. Special attention was paid to changes in teeth alignment measured by overbite and overjet. Materials and methods A systematic review was conducted after browsing Medline and Embase data bases. Results Seventeen studies proved eligible under the selection criteria. Selected papers included two randomized trials: review articles and case reports. Summary Wind instruments may favor the development of malocclusions, changes on oral mucosa and hamper the usage of prostheses. Playing wind instruments may help during orthodontic treatment but there are still no scientific evidence supporting their possible positive effects. How to cite this article Bluj-Komarnitka K, Komarnitki I, Olczak-Kowalczyk D. Wind Instruments and their Influence on Oral Cavity: Systematic Review. World J Dent 2014;5(3):180-183.