Orthodontic problems among string and wind instrument players

Abstract

Introduction. Scientific occlusion problems are caused by playing with wind and sting musical instruments for a long time. The aim of the work was to establish the orthodontic problems among piano, string and wind instrument players. Materials. The sample of the research included 167 students of musical education institutions in Kaunas city. Participants were divided into three groups: 52 string (violin and viola) students, 46 wind students and 69 piano students as a control group. They were investigated clinically according to the ICON index. The facial profile was estimated and a questionnaire was given. Results. Mare than half of the participants had convex facial profile, 37.7% - straight and only 4.2% - concave. In total 35.3% of participants had a crossbite. 1/3-2/3 overlap of the incisors was more frequent in wind instrument players group than in other groups. The average of all participants' ICON index reached 28.79±15.01 scores: higher values were estimated for violinists and males. Students with crossbite played more hours than without crossbite. A cusp-to-cusp molar relationship (4034.7 hours) was observed in players who played more hours. Conclusions. Playing the violin might predispose crossbite and playing wind instruments - deepbite.