Trumpeting the power of braces

Lubo Rnic badly wanted to play the trumpet when he was in primary school. Though try as he might, he was the only child in his class who couldn’t produce a single sound. Seven years later, Lubo not only plays the trumpet, in March he will be playing in a school concert.

The 17-year-old owes this achievement to the skill of an orthodontist and the initiative of a speech and language therapist. Peter Thomas is the Bristol orthodontist who carried out Lubo’s life-changing orthodontic treatment and Sarah Barnett is the speech and language therapist who had a hunch that braces could help Lubo. And she was right.

The story began when Sarah suggested to Lubo’s parents, Mihailo and Olya, th9at orthodontics might improve his speech, saliva control and eating skills - helping achieve less messy biting and chewing. Lubo has some disabilities, including dyspraxia and autism. His weak muscle tone and protruding teeth meant he couldn’t close his lips.