dental problem and how to solve it with Stolzel method practice adaptor

[johan]

hi all. Last visit to my dentist was a disaster. I need to have ALL of my teeth removed, and after 8 weeks i will get a prothese.
Needless to say that my playing the euphonium will be interrupted for a while.
i'm not even sure i will ever be able to play again, but i sure will give it my best try.
My teacher recommended me a tool to learn how to play without putting too much pressure on my teeth. Being not really the "non pressing" type of player, i think (hope) it might help to get me on the way again.
this is the device:
http://www.thomann.de/be/stoelzel_me...ap_basspos.htm
it is put between mouthpiece and lead pipe, and when you press the moutpiece too hard it lets the air out on the side, so you have no sound.
I think it might help me in learning to play with as little pressure as possible.

If anyone on this forum has any experience with this device, or other possible remedies to help me on the way again, I would greately appreciate it if you want to share it here!!

thx a lot!
greetings from belgium
Johan

[davewerden]

That must be a shocker - I hope it all goes well.

I have not used a device like this, but if it were me, I'd get one right away and learn/practice my new style. It can be tough to learn new habits. You may even need to change your "grip" on the horn for a lighter touch. But some amazing players perform without excessive pressure so I know it can be done.

Don't forget: in playing, not all pressure comes from inward pressing on the horn/mouthpiece. Your tongue and cheek muscles can also exert their own forces on a denture or partial. Even when you become adapt at using the new mouthpiece device, you may still need to adjust some things when you get the new setup in your mouth.

From what you said I assume you are not talking about implants. Those should not present any such trouble except during healing and "seating in."

[highpitch]

The story of my teeth was a nightmare. All my life they were trouble, having lost a lot of them on top in a car accident at age 18.

Botched bridges resulting in bone grafts, eTc.

I now have 'lock-in' plates, riding on the four teeth that were savable.

I never played better, partially (no pun) due to decent modern dentistry.

Get yourself to someone competent and don't scrimp the $$.

DDG

[johan]

@ Dave: thx for the support and tips. indeed: implants are apparently not really an option since my cheeckbone has degenerated too far. I will order the device as soon as possible and post updates on how it works. Still some time to get used to it, the complete removal will be planned after mid october.

@highpitch: lockin plates are not an option, not one tooth can be saved apparently. Most of my teeth have only 3-4 mm holding, some are even reduced to 1- 2 mm (and are loose already...).

however, there is also a bonus on this: i already lost 5 teeth, when the operation is complete i will again have a full mouth of teeth and will be able to smile again broadly ☺

[ghmerrill]

Get yourself to someone competent and don't scrimp the $$.

Good advice, but not always practical. The technology is astonishing nowadays (e.g., implants in the bone of the jaw), but with a high price and a lot of time involved. You can easily expect to spend tens of thousands of dollars.

My son just spent over $10,000 (and most of a year) getting his wife's teeth fixed after a lifetime of neglect (and she's only 30). All out of pocket, of course, and nothing like total tooth replacement.

I feel for people in this situation. My father had all his teeth removed in his early 30s (by an army dentist) and suffered with dentures for the rest of his life. The technology is much better now, even if you don't go with the state of the art stuff. With a presumably long life ahead, whatever investment that can be managed would be a wise choice.

[enhite]

I have also contended with teeth problems recently. I was considering changing dentists. (I recently met a dentist who is also plays tuba!) However, my dentist was very sympathetic. After listening to my explanation of the problem, he worked very hard to make the proper adjustments. I wish you similar success and many wonderful smiles.

[tonewheeler]

Not all dentists are the same -nor- do they have the same training, quality, and competency. For your situation, I hope your consulting with a dentist with a DDS and MD after his name. I hope everything works out.

[tampaworth]

I hope your consulting with a dentist with a DDS and MD after his name.

Here in the US in general, the only dual degree folks with a DDS (or DMD - same thing) and MD you are going to find will be Oral Surgeons and most Oral Surgeons are not dual degreed. Oral Surgeons are also not known for fabricating replacement teeth. A board certified Prosthodontist (may have an additional MS) has years of additional formal training and specializes in replacement teeth. He or she will often work hand in hand with an Oral Surgeon or Periodontist for the pre-prosthetic procedures (tooth removal, bony recontouring, dental implants, etc.). This may be a good bet if you do not have a line on one of the many excellent general dentists out there who knows his or her limitations but oftentimes can do everything. Word of mouth is a powerful tool and says a great deal about someone's level of care and skill. Wishing you the best with this transition.

[johan]

hmm, i'm not really considering to travel to the USA for this... In Belgium we have the general dentist, that's the one who referred me to the oral surgeon (here they are called stomatologist), he will perform the pre procedure of tooth removal. There is another specialist who actually makes the protheses. They are all MD with their own speciallism. I'm pretty confident they are all very capable in my case. Friday I have a prelimanary consult with the surgeon. The operation of removal will probably be scheduled for mid-october
I also purchased the Stolzel practice adaptor, as soon as it has been delivered i will update on how that works for me.

[graeme]

I hope the practice adaptor works out for you, I notice from your link that it is for a bass trombone adaptor so have you a large bore euphonium and been told that this adaptor is suitable ?

hmm, i'm not really considering to travel to the USA for this... In Belgium we have the general dentist, that's the one who referred me to the oral surgeon (here they are called stomatologist), he will perform the pre procedure of tooth removal. There is another specialist who actually makes the protheses. They are all MD with their own speciallism. I'm pretty confident they are all very capable in my case. Friday I have a prelimanary consult with the surgeon. The operation of removal will probably be scheduled for mid-october
I also purchased the Stolzel practice adaptor, as soon as it has been delivered i will update on how that works for me.

[johan]

The practice adaptor was delivered last week. The large bore fits perfectly. I've been trying it out, and was unpleasantly surprised how much pressure i naturally use to play. When I use pressure, all air escapes through the adaptor, so no sound comes out of the instrument. For now my teacher told me to just play long notes to get used to it. So that's wat I'm doing now. I'm trying to gradually build up. The lower range goes better, but starting from A i'm struggling to get the notes out right. Will take a lot of practice i presume, but if it reduces the pressure i use, it will surely help me to keep playing after the dental work..
I'll take a few pictures and post them later.

[johan]

a bit of an update on this matter. I have been practising with the practice adaptor for some time. First blows were a real shocker: with the device set for maximum pressure, i could not play a single note...
I've gradually built it up, being very conscious of my way of blowing and putting pressure to my teeth. Long notes only (advice from my teacher). Low notes went quite well after a while, up to the point that i reached D. I didn't get any higher...
For the moment practice is off limits, my teeth have been removed and my mouth is healing.
i hope to be able to try playing again in a couple of weeks.

[graeme]

I have been using the same adaptor for a few weeks now, I can play softly the C scale but no higher I think it would be useful to have some additional springs with more tension to allow you to play up to a note that would enable you to play some complete tunes such as hymns. the spring in the device is a greater diameter than normal valve springs. I am a treble clef player.

[enhite]

Thanks for the update. I play with a trombonist in a brass group who had to relearn to how play with false teeth. It took awhile, but he now sounds good. Wishing you all the best.

[johan]

Thanks for the update. I play with a trombonist in a brass group who had to relearn to how play with false teeth. It took awhile, but he now sounds good. Wishing you all the best.

thx for the encouragement! It gives me hope that everything will be allright with a lot of time and practice.