Bugler

Wilmer,

I recently had a partial lower denture installed. While it took some getting used to, I am now able to play fairly well with it in. Problem is that the denture has filled in a lot of gaps in the oral cavity and thus my sound is smaller when I play with the denture. (If I remove it, I have much a much bigger sound). Playing with the denture, however has improved my lips slurs dramatically. (I never had a problem with lip slurs, but with the denture installed I realise that they are now effortless to execute).

Your thoughts please - especially on developing a bigger sound with denture installed. (Denture fills in 2 molars in rear on left and right side. There is a metal bar that goes behind the front teeth, and this bar fills in the gaps caused by "out of line" teeth).

Thanks.

Mark

wiseone2

I have full upper and lower plates.
I have not had to make any major adjustments in my playing. I use the same mouthpiece and the same tongue position as I did pre-dentures.
I have eased into playing. Lots of Clarke and flow studies.
I concentrate on sound. I think you are on the right track. Stick with working on sound and attack.
Tow,though, they and day are the syllables I begin with on page 39 in the Arban book.
Go slowly, your sound will return.
Wilmer

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Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
S.Suark 1951

Joe DiMonte

Mark:
As an alternative,you may want to consider osseointegration (Tooth Replacement Therapy).
A dental implant is a substitute or replacement root that provides a stable foundation for a replacement tooth.
Here in the Pittsburgh,Pa area,a good board certified Oral surgeon would charge you about $1,700.00 per implant and a DDS would charge about $650.00 per crown.
Depending on the number of implants and crowns required,you could be into Cadillac type expenses and the finish product may only last for 10+ years.

The three (3) good things 'they' say about replacement therapy are:
1)You can eat whatever you want.
2)You can smile with confidence.
3)You can express yourself without flaw while tooting your horn.

Smile often,air is good for your teeth !

A friend of Wilmer in the 'Burgh
KJ

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"Clark Terry - C.T.,as his friends call him,is not only a master of the trumpet and flugelhorn,but a master musician and a leader to the manor born." - Dan Morgenstern.