Temporomandibular disorders among wind musical instrument players: an integrative review

1. Introduction

The stomatognathic system is a multi-functional and complex system involved in several functional tasks (sucking, chewing, swallowing, breathing, and speech functions) and is associated with various disturbances or diseases [1], [2]. The dysfunction of this system is characterized as a disturbance of the biomechanics of the masticatory system and craniofacial unit, frequently caused by tissue damage in any of its functional elements when the morphofunctional adaptability of associated tissues is compromised. Defective components might be the temporomandibular, neuromuscular, or dental-occlusal system, as well as the craniocervical spine [2]. Notably, temporomandibular dysfunction is classified as a stomatognathic system disorder, which encompasses signs and symptoms including crackling and popping sound in the ear, limited mouth opening, pain in masticatory muscles and around the jaw area, tinnitus, pain around the ear area, and headache [3]. Generally, these before-mentioned set of clinical signs and symptoms frequently occur during activation of muscles of mastication, muscles of the head, neck, and temporomandibular joints [4].

Over the last number of years, some habits have been proven to interfere with oral health status and performance negatively and affect attached structures, causing or exacerbating temporomandibular disorder [5], [6]. Although the available literature of the etiology of temporomandibular dysfunction is still poorly understood, playing a musical instrument that overloads the stomatognathic system and requires a long-term adoption of a non-physiological posture has been suggested to be a significant etiological factor of temporomandibular dysfunction [7], [8]. Particularly, wind instrument musicians emerged as significantly affected individuals, primarily because they must continuously use face, jaw, and orofacial muscles to generate sound, leading to increased tension in the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joint [7]. Even though a previous non-systematic review of the literature showed a probable relationship between the practice of musical instruments and temporomandibular disorder, the study did not precisely evaluate the possible association of temporomandibular dysfunction and playing a wind musical instrument [9]. Therefore, we aimed to review the available body of literature on the potential association between playing a wind musical instrument and the occurrence of temporomandibular disorder and evaluate the consequences from the prolonged use of these instruments to temporomandibular joint disorders. Furthermore, we assessed the craniofacial impact of playing wind instruments, including the effect on the temporomandibular joint.

2. Methodology

3. Results

The integrative review herein presented was performed to investigate the possible association between playing wind musical instruments and the presence of temporomandibular dysfunction. Overall, the database search retrieved 40 potentially relevant articles. However, after rigorous assessment of title, abstracts, and short-listed studies, only ten primary studies were included in this integrative review (Fig. 1) [7], [13]–[21]. The studies eligible for inclusion were conducted in Brazil ($n=$ 3), Japan ($n=$ 2), Germany ($n=$ 2), The Netherlands ($n=$ 1), Portugal ($n=$ 1), and The United States of America ($n=$ 1). Out of the ten articles, eight were quanti-qualitative investigations that used a cross-section study design [7], [13], [16]–[21], and two were quantitative studies that used a case-control design [14], [15]. After cross-checking the reference list of selected full-text studies, no additional publication was identified.

4. Discussion

This is the first integrative review that evaluates the influence of playing a wind musical instrument on the occurrence of temporomandibular disorders and assesses the most common developed signs and symptoms resulting from short- or long-term practice. In addition, this review specifically investigated the craniofacial effect of playing wind instruments among individuals from different geographic locations. Based on the findings emerging from the included studies in this review, the qualitative results demonstrated that playing a wind instrument is often associated with clinical signs and symptoms (such as facial and temporomandibular pain, headache, tinnitus, teeth grinding, and jaw locking). Furthermore, we found statistically significant risk factors that favor the development of temporomandibular disorders (such as mouthpiece pressure and protrusion distance of the mandible).

Since the early 1950s, several orthodontic experts and investigators have tried to understand the mechanisms involved in playing wind instruments and developing maxillofacial disorders. Firstly, based on cephalometric assessments with trumpet players diagnosed with Class II malocclusion and mandibular retroposition, Parker et al. have shown that to maintain the physical contact between the lips and the mouthpiece, musicians are required to move the mandible forward more than naturally needed [22]. This continuous and non-physiological physical contact could produce an enhanced external pterygoid muscle fatigue and correlated clinical symptoms. Subsequently, Gualtieri et al. had observed a higher prevalence of crepitus or clicking sound in the temporomandibular joints among trombone and tuba music players (31 %) than the control group [23]. Based on cephalometric and teleradiographic appraisals, the authors identified a repetitive pattern of movement of the mandible while musicians are actively playing (mandible moves up and back from rest to playing position), which provides a posterior displacement of the mandibular condyle and increases the likelihood of anterior dislocation of the articular disc [23]. Therefore, these mechanisms resemble possible pathophysiological explanations for the higher prevalence of maxillofacial dysfunction among wind musical instruments.

The included studies reiterate relevant features between systemic disorders and wind instrument players, particularly mental diseases-related consequences. In addition to musculoskeletal and physical conditions, musicians are constantly submitted to an intensive training routine of conditioning and self-improvement, which regularly causes a high prevalence of anxiety, stress, and mental-related complaints [13], [24]–[26]. For instance, one included study observed an elevated prevalence of mental disorders among wind instrument players (61.4 %), which might emerge as a significant predictor of the development of temporomandibular dysfunction [13]. This is even more worrisome if we consider that training practice typically starts during childhood and adolescence, as young practitioners tend to push themselves beyond their perceived limits to progress and improve their skills [6], [16]. Additionally, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, studies have reported a worsening of mental health disorders among amateur and professional musicians, mainly because music classes and training, concerts, and all sort of musical-related entertainment activities were canceled or postponed [27]. Thus, we highlight the need for a comprehensive health care plan for musicians, involving dentistry and orthodontic experts, physicians, psychologists, and other allied health professionals.

Throughout the literature search, we have found an increasing and significant number of studies analyzing the prevalence and risk factors for symptoms of oral disorders, pain in the neck and shoulder, and systemic effects among musicians. However, we noticed that the information intensity associated with oral-related pathologies among individuals who play wind musical instruments is still insufficient. Hence, reports of future studies with a well-designed methodology and evaluation of several variables will be required to elucidate either additional epidemiological or pathophysiological features.

The presented integrative review has several limitations. Firstly, we did not register the review title, neither the review question in any registration platforms (such as PROSPERO and Open Science Frame), as this is not a mandatory and frequently required step for integrative reviews. However, we strictly adhered to a previously defined guideline for performing an integrative review, considering essential process phases (preparing a research question, searching the literature, extracting data from included studies, discussing the results, and adequately presenting overall findings). Secondly, we decided to search for studies only published between 2009 and 2020. Nevertheless, older publications would not modify the trend and main features observed and highlighted in our research. Due to the limited number of included studies, the associated certainty of the evidence is restricted, given that high-quality designed studies were not found in our database search. Notwithstanding, considering the absence of better-designed studies, inferences from observational investigations can help improve health outcomes for the population. Finally, although we have filtered our search by language (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), we believe that any potential additional study published in another language would not significantly change the general findings herein presented.

5. Conclusions

Based on this integrative review of ten studies, wind instrument players often report clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction. In addition, three risk factors were statistically associated with the development of the temporomandibular disorder (mouthpiece pressure, distance of mandible protrusion, and temporomandibular pain). Future high-quality design studies are required to characterize the impact of playing wind instruments on functional and oral health status.