The Impact of the Long-Term Playing of Musical Instruments on the Stomatognathic System – Review

Abstract

In this article, we have made a review of the influence of playing musical instruments on the formation of malocclusion and TMJ disorders in musicians. Primary attention was paid to the effects of wind and stringed instruments. The aim of the article was the presentation of research and opinions about this problem in the last 25 years. It is reported that long-term and repetitive playing of musical instruments, particularly stringed (violin and viola) and wind instruments can cause dysfunctions of the stomatognathic system. The impact of wind instruments was assessed in terms of the type of mouthpiece. We studied the possibility of repositioning the front teeth and reducing the width of the upper dental arch and overbite. There were also reports on the use of a specific instrument to improve the child's occlusion. Studies have also been performed on the usefulness of relaxation plates in order to improve, and even prevent, dysfunction caused by the constant stress on the same parts of the stomatognathic system. The experiments were mainly based on interviews, dental cast analyses and cephalometric analyses. Additional methods were dynamometer tests and muscle tension palpation (Adv Clin Exp Med 2014, 23, 1, 143-146).

Efeito da prática de instrumentos musicais nas disfunções temporomandibulares e distúrbios do sono

“…Entre os músi-cos, violinistas e violistas relatam sentir dores no pescoço mais frequentemente que indivíduos da população em geral, 40% e 14%, respectivamente. 25 Essa classe também é mais propensa a apresentar sinais e sintomas de DTM como dor nos músculos masseter e temporal e especificamente dor na região da ATM direita, devido à pressão sofrida pela mandíbula e músculos mastigatórios ao segurar o instrumento por longos períodos. 26 A DTM também apresenta alta prevalência em instrumentistas de sopro, pois a protrusão da mandíbula necessária para a embocadura do instrumento pode exigir forças excessivas da região da ATM, induzindo a sobrecarga das estruturas a ela relacionadas.…”

“…26 A DTM também apresenta alta prevalência em instrumentistas de sopro, pois a protrusão da mandíbula necessária para a embocadura do instrumento pode exigir forças excessivas da região da ATM, induzindo a sobrecarga das estruturas a ela relacionadas. 25 A literatura relata, ainda, que há relação entre DS e DTM em membros de orquestras. 27 De modo que a baixa qualidade do sono afeta o indivíduo tanto física quanto psicologicamente, causando desde diminuição na capacidade de desempenhar as atividades do dia a dia até alteração na percepção de dor e desconforto.…”

Prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders and neck pain in musicians: a sytematic review

“…In the flute the mouthpiece rests on the lower lip. In all cases the teeth can be affected, either by the nozzle pressure, the adjacent soft tissues or by the air column displaced, these could favor the appearance of occlusion problems, according to the literature (37).…”

“…Stringed instruments, like the violin, can influence the formation of craniofacial bones and the onset of malocclusion. The support of the instrument and the asymmetric position of the jaw combined with the intense practice can cause changes in the face growth of a young person, imbalances strength of the face muscle, causing joint pain during mastication, a stiffness feeling, teeth clenching, protrusion, muscle tension and deviation of the jaw (37).…”

Musical Instrument-Associated Health Issues and Their Management

“…Long-term and repetitive playing of musical instruments, particularly stringed instruments (such as violins and violas) and wind instruments, can result in dysfunction of the stomatognathic system (Glowacka et al 2014). The intense playing of a musical instrument may predispose players to the development of dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint.…”