<p>My son has put off braces throughout high school because he knew it would affect his playing. His orthodontist just told him that his dental health will be jeopardized if he doesn't correct his bite (he's starting to wear down his front teeth). Fortunately, she's talking about only four months of treatment, which he could do during the summer after all of his performances this spring.<br>
We were wondering whether anyone has heard of lingual braces or alternatives to traditional braces for trumpeters? He knows that it will affect his playing for a while but really wants to minimize the effect of the braces as much as possible. This rules out a national music institute, but he still wants to participate in some local institutes.<br>
Any advice? We really appreciate it!! Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm so sorry!!! I did the same thing with my son - waiting as long as possible due to both trumpet and soccer. He ended up getting them a week before he was awarded the solo in the Aida March with his youth symphony. Talk about stressing out! He used the wax fairly successfully but in the end it just came down to practice time to adjust. Four months sounds wonderfully short! One positive note - it takes more air to play with braces so his breathing will improve!</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that the "invisalign" braces were removable.</p>
<p>My D has played both French Horn and trumpet while in braces and said either way it was not that big a deal. I was worried also and while your embouchure changes a little she said it only took about a week to really get used to the new way her mouth felt both when they were put on and when they were taken off.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! This is very encouraging. Invisiligns are removable, but the orthodontist thinks it's a really expensive way to go for a short-term treatment and may not have as good a result for his particular problem (I also asked her about retainers...anything removable). I'm getting second opinions, but it's good to know that braces may even have benefits (air use...and my son says playing with little or no pressure). I was trying to figure out whether, if the bands were put on the inside instead of the outside, his tongue might get cut up when he plays. Thank goodness it's four months, but he really wants to be ready for college auditions for ensembles. Sigh.
Anyway, I really appreciate the encouragement. We came home pretty bummed yesterday...</p>
<p>Son had his braces off before HS, but playing trumpet was a concern when we were interviewing the orthodontists. His Dr gave him something that fit over the brackets. Don't know if they were plastic or rubbery but it is a strip with little tabs/ridges that fit between the brackets. He only had a problem immediately after the wires were adjusted. I was shocked that trumpet teacher had never run across this. Son played better and it was easier when braces were removed. I googled and came up with comfort covers, but I don't know if that is what they were called. I remember mailing a mom one of son's extra's to show her doctor.</p>
<p>My son also needed braces our orthodontist said no problem for him to play the trumpet with braces on. He did give him the cover to wear over his braces - but that did not help. I think the orthodontist was not really aware how serious a trumpet player my son is. For the vast majority of patients they see - the kids may play in band or orchestra but they are not really serious musicians. My son had NO range. We had debated over whether or not to do invisaligns or regular braces and due to the cost my son decided to go with traditional braces. (Yes, he's a good kid that way!) He was broken hearted he could not play the trumpet SO we paid the additional cost to switch and went into invisaligns. Because you can take them out he had NO problem with playing the trumpet. He also did not have any embouchure changes (that's a whole other story though!). The invisaligns worked quite well and part of the contract you sign with invisaligns is to do several tweaks at the end to get everything perfect. So I would suggest if you can afford it to go with the invisaligns.</p>
<p>What type of orthdontic correction does your son need? My D spent YEARS in braces only to find out that her overbite is really an anatomical difference between her upper and lower jaw and the only thing that would really correct that is surgery. I am sorry I put her through years and years of braces. We were going to have her get the surgery - but there are risks (she wouldn't be able to feel her lower lip for months or maybe ever depending on if they hit a nerve, she would have to eat soft food for a long time, etc.) so she decided to live with an overbite. She may change her mind years down the road but that's her decision. </p>
<p>So I would interview a few orthodontist and also look into the invisaligns. Good luck to your son.</p>