Ever think of asking your dentist which musical instrument you should play?
Few people do. But especially for young people, an early dental analysis—before selecting a musical instrument—can be important.
Surprisingly, some instruments—woodwind or brass—can actually help some children who have an overbite problem. Yet, the same instrument can make the problem worse in another child. Each case must be judged individually.
Consider Michael who wants to play a saxophone in the school band. His parents think it’s time for braces, but Michael wonders if the appliances will affect his ability to play. His parents, however, question if the mouthpiece pressing against his teeth might damage the braces. In this hypothetical, the best option is for Michael to have a consultation with his dentist.
These are the questions the dentist needs to analyze:
- Does the shape of the child’s mouth (teeth and bone structure) help or hinder his ability to play?
- How often will he or she play?
- If the child is having orthodontic treatment, will the instrument enhance treatment or reverse the improvement made by the braces?
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
