Braces come off in 2 weeks - any advice?

[Vortex]

I'm really looking forward to this as it's been a pain to play with braces on both upper and lower teeth. It probably has helped my embourchure for the long run, but still they've definately been a hassle (food always getting stuck in them, shredding my gums to pieces while playing, I could go on and on). No more ending practice sessions because the lower braces are making obvious impressions into my gums! What I'm wondering is if this is gonna make for another long, arduous adjustment period like one has right after fetting braces put on, and if there is one, what can I do to shorten it? Anyone have experiences with getting them off?

[Amy]

I got my braces off a couple of months ago and I find it doesn't affect my saxophone playing too much but if you play clarinet like me then you'll notice the difference, probably because it's a tighter embouchure. I still find, even with the saxophone, that when I play without braces on my teeth feel like they're about to move any second. It sounds very strange, I know, and you probably won't understand what I'm talking about until you experience it. What I think I'm trying to say is that your teeth feel very weak because they've got nothing holding them in place. But once you get used to it, not having braces is !!!!GREAT!!!!

[Media Lint]

I'm in my *ahem* upper 30s now ... anyway. I had braces from about 3rd grade through 11th grade which was also the same time I played the saxophone. I didn't take it up again till a few years ago. It'll probably be weird, but I was able to quickly relearn the sax after nearly 20 years not playing it and I consider: when I began playing I had a severe underbite. Now I have a near perfect overbite. Talk about a morphing embouchure! I don't know how that worked. But I'm sure you're already used to playing after the good doc tightened them suckers up and you were writhing with pain. It will be better than that was!

So congratulations on getting your braces off! It was certainly a celebrated event in my life because I had them for 10 years. Give it a week and you'll probably be better off. I'm sure there will be some adjustment, but not so bad. And it does help you in the long run for sure. Just beware the taker of wisdom teeth, they screwed up on me.


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dang, I should look at the dates of these posts. So ... how's the no brace thing working out? LOL!

[Saxophoon]

Vortex, congrats! Savor the moment. When the braces come off you'll be able to play like you never have before!!! You'll have a blast. The braces have been holding you back and limiting you, they have not helped you at all in the long or short run. The difference isnt much in the feel just the fact that there is no pain or discomfort, you will be playing for longer then you thought possible.

Once again congrats and have a great time playing!!!!!!!

[timobrien]

I was lucky enough to not have to wear braces.

But if I was getting mine off, I'd be looking up every girl I knew and not worrying about playing the sax!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Vortex]

Lol thanks guys, yes they've been off for awhile now. There was a short adjustment period but nothing bad, the changes I had to make with my embouchure were minimal. My advice to others getting them off is to wear the retainer! If you don't, your teeth will start shifting around some more, and then your embouchure IS messed up!

I wonder what it would be like to play with the retainer in (if possible), seems to me like it would make your oral cavity smaller and give you some more projection :D

[Amy]

If you don't wear the retainer while playing, your teeth move A LOT. I found that wearing the retainer while playing didn't make all that much difference. I really think you should be wearing your retainer whenever you play. Just my opinion/advice. :) Congratulations on getting your brace off though.