Musicodontology

When playing a wind instrument, air travels from the lungs, through the throat, along the palate, tongue, cheeks, teeth and lips. All this plays part in the formation of the musical tone. In professional terms this interplay is called “embouchure”.
This dissertation explores the interaction between oral and maxillofacial medicine and music. Two types of research have been used: systematic reviews and case studies.
One systematic review provides an overview of aspects of tooth position that may influence the embouchure and musical performance of wind musicians. Conversely, another systematic review shows that playing a wind instrument can influence the tooth position and facial morphology. A case study about a professional brass player shows that straightening teeth, by means of orthodontic treatment and a facing, can improve the embouchure. The multiple case study reports on blowers' considerations about whether or not to undergo orthognathic surgery and what outcomes the treatment has had. Another multiple case study shows which limitations wind players with cleft lip and/or palate can experience. It also shows that it is possible to achieve a professional level despite this condition. Another systematic review shows that playing the oboe, bassoon or didgeridoo is beneficial for patients with sleep apnea, because it trains the airway muscles. Singing also seems to have a reducing effect on snoring. Like music in the ears is the last chapter that shows that listening to background music during dental treatment has a reducing effect on dental anxiety.