How the Cranio Group can help you

Jaw joint problems (known as temporomandibular disorders or TMD) can afflict many people. The figures vary across the world, but up to 25% can be affected, 75% of whom are female.

Unfortunately, this is not a subject many dental students get to study in any detail in dental school, and it is on a post-graduate basis that most dentists learn about TMD, and then only on a voluntary basis by those who have developed an interest in this demanding and sometimes perplexing area of dentistry. This post-graduate training is on-going, and very expensive.

Most patients suffering from TMD who seek advice initially are told to “eat a soft diet and don’t open your mouth too wide”, which is not a lot of help because that is all one can do anyway! If this does not solve the problem, then they may be referred for possible open joint surgery to correct the problem.  Some patients may be given anti-depressants, which makes them feel better, and also masks some of the pain. Whilst some of these ideas may have their place, they do not “fix” the fundamental cause.

The patient may be fortunate and be sent to a general dentist who has developed a special interest in TMD and had the necessary post-graduate training. He or she may even be a member of the Cranio Group! If so, they will understand the multi-factorial nature of this disorder, and be able to make appropriate referrals for support therapy with a cranial therapist, chiropractor, osteopath, physiotherapist or nutritionist, etc.  They may have such people within their own practice. This is the team approach developed by members of the Cranio Group.

The dental management usually involves two phases of treatment; phase 1 is intended to be reversible and involves the use of some kind of “splint” worn between the teeth to reposition the mandible into a pain-free and functional position. This splint is made of clear plastic and is designed to be as comfortable as possible. It is worn 24 hours a day and is checked and adjusted regularly by the dentist. When the pain and symptoms have been controlled as far as possible for about three months, then phase 2 is planned. This will involve some irreversible changes to the teeth or jaws in order to maintain the symptom-free situation without the need for the plastic splint.

There are three ways of doing this, dependant on the patient’s individual circumstances and preferences: a) orthodontic treatment to move the teeth into a better position, or b) restoration of the teeth with crowns, bridges or dentures or a combination, and c) a more durable long-term removable splint.

Because the jaw joint, like any other, has two parts, the cranial imbalances (which possibly caused the whole thing) also need to be addressed. This is where the craniopath (chiropractor, osteopath, or cranio-sacral therapist) becomes involved.

So if you need this kind of specialised help, click on “Membership List” for an up-to-date geographical list of Cranio Group members, dentists, orthodontists, and body therapists. If you need further information, email the editor by clicking on the appropriate box. Remember all phone numbers have UK-based codes, and if you do not live in the UK you will need to drop the “0” after your UK access code.

For more information on Biological Dentistry & the Cranio Group please visit the History section.