Orthodontic Problems among String and Wind Instrument Players

Relevance of the problem and aim of the work. More and more people are playing with a variety of musical instruments. Specific occlusion problems are caused because of playing with wind and string musical instruments for a long time. It is important to understand and evaluate the orthodontic problems of the players in the young age and to provide effective prophylactic aid. The aim of the work was to establish the orthodontic problems among piano, string and wind instrument players. Material and methods. 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. The analysis of the results was done by using program SPSS and χ2, Fisher, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman coefficient of correlation. It is statistically reliable when confidence level p < 0.05. Results. More than half of the participants (58.1 %) had convex facial profile, 37.7 % - straight and only 4.2 % - concave (p = 0.152). The average value of the aesthetic component of males was higher compared with females (p = 0.002). In total 35.3 % of participants had a crossbite. 1/3 – 2/3 overlap of the incisors was more frequently in wind instrument players group than in other groups (p=0.008) although 61.5 % of string instrument players had a crossbite (p = 0.001). The average of all participants’ ICON index reached 28.79 ± 15.01 scores: higher values were estimated for violinists (p = 0.012) and males (p = 0.009). Students with crossbite played more hours than without crossbite (p = 0.025). A cusp-to-cusp molar relationship (4034.7 hours) was observed in players who played more hours (p = 0.005). Conclusions. 1. Mostly participants had convex facial profile. The average value of the aesthetic component and ICON index value of males were higher. Playing the violin might predispose crossbite and playing wind instruments - overbite. The orthodontic treatment was required more frequently for violinists. 2. Students with crossbite played more hours than students without crossbite. The less teeth crowding was estimated for those who were playing less years. 3. Players’ malocclusion did not depend on variations of the instrument holding position. 4. Whereas violinists and wind instrument learners had specific orthodontic problems, it is required to solve the problem because of prophylactic purpose