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The Cranial Influences
There are twenty two cranial bones (excluding the six ear
ossicles) which function as a synchonized unit. A distortion
to one affects the entire unit. The cranial dura is part of
the dural tube which extends through the foramen magnum,
attaches to the upper three cervical vertebrae and continues
down to the second sacral tubercle where it attaches.
Subluxations or fixations anywhere along its path will affect
cranial motion. In addition, there are 136 muscles in the head
and neck area. Muscle tension or spasm will influence cranial
motion. Dental malocclusions in the form of hyper occlusion,
deep overbite, crossbite (anterior or posterior), a narrow
maxillary arch, faulty crowns or high cant of the maxillae on
one side will all have influences on cranial motion.
Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches usually affect one-half of the victim's
head. Since the dural tube is a reciprocating membrane,
tension or torquing in the skull will cause one side to be in
traction while the other side provides the slack. The nerves
passing through the tensioned side will be responsible for the
varied and extensive pains. The dural torquing can result from
a single or various combinations of structural distortion
involving the pelvis, spinal vertebrae, dental malocclusion or
cranial bone restrictions. These structural problems can be
triggered by emotional, physical, nutritional or physiological
stressors (e.g. organ dysfunction, under-active thyroid,
muscle spasm or weakness, fixed and removable dental
bridgework) |
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Dear Farid,
The term Craniodontics has been coined by Dr Gerald Smith to
focus attention on the fact that use of dental
orthopedics/orthodontics or any restorative dental procedure
that directly changes the occlusion will affect the alignment
of the 22 cranial bones (excluding the 6 ear ossicles). The
effectiveness of dental orthopedics in expanding the maxillae
both transversely and sagittaly is well documented, however
the time has come when dental practitioners must look beyond
the parameters of the teeth and alveolar bone to the highly
functional cranial system.
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Dural Tube
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The dural tube is a continuous membrane that surrounds the
brain, passes out of the base of the skull, attaches to the
first three cervical vertebrae, and continues down the spinal
cord where it finally attaches to the sacrum. This tube is the
source for structural disturbances being transmitted from one
part of the body to another. Because the body works
reciprocally, imbalances in the skull can influence the neck,
lower back, and pelvis and the reverse is also true. This
dural tube provides a functional link in the entire system.
Any movement, however minute, in one part of the system has a
compensatory effect in other parts. To give you an example of
this intimate connection, a baby that was delivered by forceps
could have cranial distortion resulting in lower back pain at
the level of sacro-iliac joint (SI joint) later in life.
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The cranial
dural membranes
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The cranial dural membranes act as stabilizers to the vault
bones. Physical trauma (whiplash injuries, blows to the head,
forceful tooth extraction, etc.) and dental malocclusions have
the potential to disrupt dural membrane balance and normal
cranial rhythm. Such changes can cause adverse neurological
function throughout the body. |
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The Maxilla
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The upper teeth are set in the maxilla. The maxilla is not
just a jaw, it represents the front third of the cranial base.
If the upper jaw is distorted (crooked teeth, crossed bite,
one side higher than the other, canted maxilla, etc.), then
the forces generated by the unmatched biting teeth can distort
the skull. To make things even more complicated, in the head
and neck region there are 136 muscles. Muscle tension or spasm
can influence cranial motion. Among these muscles are the
muscles of mastication (chewing). Since these muscles are all
attached to the skull, improper bite can often trigger muscle
spasms, which in turn can jam the sutures and distort the
cranial bones. As if this were not enough, patients with a
deep overbite, underdeveloped lower jaw, cross bite, or
collapsed bite may experience cranial distortion and dural
torque. Many of them suffer from headaches, migraines, neck
and shoulder stiffness and lower back pain. Some may have
itchiness or stuffiness in the ears and many have clicking jaw
joints. |
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The combination of the elements in the body of man is more
perfect than the composition of any other being; it is mingled
in absolute equilibrium, therefore it is more noble and more
perfect. --- Baha'i Writings |
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