Recognizing that the focus of his presentation was intended to be on objective physiology issues, he reminded those in attendance that "givens" such as the correct use of air, the motivation factor, and good musicianship are major ingredients in the trumpeter?s success quotient.

Having laid the groundwork for his presentation, Dr. Kaplan proceeded to touch upon various situations which orthodontists encounter that can cause real problems to the trumpeter.  Beginning with an explanation of intraoral pressures, he used the metaphor of comparing the mouth to a "pressure tank."  Whether a so-called "incompetent palate" or missing teeth, anything that causes this pressure tank to leak will contribute to frustrations for the trumpeter.  Associated with this concept is the idea that the "muscles of facial expression" work together to form the embouchure, and in so doing provide a hermetic seal against the mouthpiece.

Now to the good stuff:

As Dr. Kaplan says, " . . . the teeth support the lips."  The jaws will tend to grow according to genetic programming, and the teeth, whose position is largely dependent on this jaw development as we mature, will accordingly line up well or poorly.  Slides indicating the various categories of occlusion and malocclusion were presented.  Further, aspects of overbite, crossbite, underbite, and overjet were illustrated and explained.

It is our responsibility to take care of daily preventive maintenance, and to see our oral hygienist at least twice a year for the maintenance work that must be handled by the professional.  The dentist, endodontist, and orthodontist can help before problems occur, and may be able to help once problems have begun.  Upon seeing gloriously graphic slides showing the results of poor oral hygiene, such as gum disease, abcesses, tooth decay, and the absence of teeth resulting from same, the wisdom of taking care of what God and nature gave us and preventing problems before they happen was clear to all.

Dr. Kaplan continued by explaining various things doctors can do for various problems, so there certainly is hope for those with dental issues.   He advised that finding a good "restorative" dentist may be wise for certain situations.  If restorative work must be done, the professional's task will be a guessing game if the trumpeter does not have a mold of the original from which the doctor may work.  Trumpeters are very sensitive to any change, and approximating the original is to our advantage.

Dr. Kaplan drove home the point that some problems cannot be helped, and often the best solutions for certain problems are quite costly.