Mouthpiece pressing on top tooth

[Basie1955]

I think over the years my teeth have shifted a bit.
Currently my mouthpiece has gotten pretty
uncomfortable on the top lip. Specifically the the top lateral
incisor on my right side is portruding. It’s inhibiting vibration
on that side and doesn’t feel good and free.

I probably always had this to some degree and
developed an embouchure to compensate.
I think that’s why I played with some air pockets
for comfort. It was probably limiting to some
aspects of my playing although I had decent range
flexibility and power.

Does anyone have the mouthpiece placed
on these top lateral incisors that have caused
discomfort?

Thanks -
B

[RoscoTrombone]

My top right lateral incisor is slightly twisted and sticks out a little bit as well however I have always placed the mouthpiece to the right so the rim doesn't rest on it at all. I could see it being an issue though if I played centrally.

Have you given that a try just to see if it allows the lips to vibrate more freely?

[Basie1955]

Thanks! Yes, I’ve experimented with slightly different
mouthpiece placements but that means ( for me ) I would have to develop a new aperture spot which I may have to do.

[AndrewMeronek]

I think that it's a good idea for people as we get older to get an advisement from a good orthodontist on getting work done. Our teeth do shift over time, and when this goes wrong the consequences can be worse than embouchure issues. No one wants a cracked molar because your bite happens to put a tooth point in the wrong spot.

I got orthodontic work done a couple of years ago as a middle-aged man and it was well worth it. Not only is my bite more consistent, but I now have a retainer that I wear at night which protects me from biting my cheek in my sleep (and helps keep things in alignment), AND my embouchure is now much more stable than it was. I had a problem with a lower tooth sticking forward which definitely was detrimental to my embouchure.

[Basie1955]

Thank you. Great advice. What method was used to
correct the tooth? Was it Invisalign Express?

[AndrewMeronek]

Thank you. Great advice. What method was used to
correct the tooth? Was it Invisalign Express?

I did Invisalign and my orthodontist was able to design the treatment to not have studs on my front teeth, so I could keep playing without hinderance. But this would really be a discussion to have with your orthodontist.

[Cmillar]

I have similar tooth setup, and play off-center no problem.

Best thing I ever did was start using a larger rim size on my small bore horn, which is used most of the time.

Have a lesson with Doug Elliott to diagnose what could be best for you face.

[Doug Elliott]

Sometimes a different size rim helps enough.
Also, I can shape a rim with a divot to accommodate the protruding tooth to take the pressure off right over it. That usually works quite well.