The importance of the relationship between cranial osteopathy and dentistry cannot be overstated, and more and more cranial osteopaths are working in close association with dentists and craniofacial orthodontists. 

All the bones of the face, like those in the rest of the skull, are free to move very minutely, which they do in a gentle rhythmical way.  This movement between the bones is very important in maintaining drainage of the sinuses, and permitting free passage of air through the nose.  Teeth are extensions of the upper and lower jaw bones and articulate directly with every other bone in the head.  Each tooth articulates with the two maxillary bones above and the mandible below which in turn articulates with the two temporal bones forming the jaw joints.  The relationship between all of these bones influences the position and comfort of the erupting teeth.  As teeth make contact, the height of the mouth will affect the position of the jaws, this can be affected by improper eruption of teeth, oral habits and, later, by dental procedures.  Habits such as thumb sucking, can affect the way the bones of the mouth mould, influencing the position and health of the teeth.  Conditions affecting the mouth and the teeth also have a very direct effect on the rest of the body and can lead to secondary symptoms, for example, headache, sinusitis, neck pain and neurological disturbance.

Common dental causes of stress in the face:

Teething:  Cutting of the first teeth is a painful process which stresses the whole body and is often accompanied by dribbling, a runny nose or a cold.  With second teeth come problems of alignment, height of teeth or overcrowding, which affect the bite.

Extraction of teeth:  Frequently sinus, ear problems, headaches, migraines and neck pain occur after extractions.  This is due to the forces used to extract the teeth which can be transmitted through to the joints and articulations of the delicate bones of the face straining and disrupting their normal movement.  The pain and tenderness suffered immediately after an extraction can mean that one side of the mouth is not used for chewing.  This creates an unequal bite with strains being placed on the rest of the face, head and neck.  If there are gaps left between teeth this situation may persist.

Dentures and plates:  Loss of all the teeth eventually leads to a loss of bone from the face.  It is important that the correct distance /height between the upper and lower jaw is maintained, if this is not done an imbalance in the action of the jaw muscles may occur causing a marked degree of tension in the face and jaw.  An upper plate or denture has the effect of holding the bones of the upper jaw together quite rigidly, severely limiting or preventing their natural movement. Common symptoms that occur include headache, congested sinuses, and ear problems.

 No back teeth:  When all of the back teeth are removed leaving only the front incisors, and no dentures are worn, all biting and chewing is done on the front teeth.  This places a large amount of strain on the structure of the head and neck.  This can lead to tension in the neck causing neck pain and headaches.

Braces and Orthodontic work:  Orthodontic treatment has a dramatic effect on the normal functioning of the face, and can have repercussions throughout the whole body.  Enormous stresses are imposed through the bones of the face as teeth are forcibly moved in their sockets.  This restricts and disrupts normal movement of the facial bones. 

When dental appliances are added to a cranium with unresolved birth strains, compressions from injury, or underlying general stress loads on the body, the coping capacity of the body may become compromised. The appliance then becomes the final factor that upsets a delicately balanced system. 

Braces fitted to the upper teeth can restrict the motion of the bones of the palate and also the maxillary bones.    Headgear limits the occipital bone, its relationship to other bones, membranes, cranial nerves and venous drainage.

Some of the common symptoms associated with dental appliances being fitted are; headache, dizziness, clicking jaw, gum soreness, irritability, reduced concentration, neck pain and neurological disturbance.

Osteopathic treatment is recommended before the brace is fitted to reduce any underlying stresses.  This allows any changes to the dental mechanics to occur with greater ease and reduces any side effects.  As the bite changes, the relationship of the total cranial mechanism is altered.  Treatment during the time the brace is being worn reduces the additional load, helps the body to accommodate to this, and helps the teeth to move more quickly.  Treatment during this time also reduces any secondary symptoms, and helps to prevent degradation of any dental alterations achieved once the appliance is removed.  After the appliance is removed treatment helps to dissipate the stresses caused by the brace, reducing any long term effects.

Bridges:  Bridges generally cause no problem within the mechanics of the face.  However, a midline bridge across the two upper front teeth means that the bones of the upper jaw become permanently fixed together, preventing normal movement between the bones.

Recurrent infections:  Osteopathic treatment can help to reduce hypersensitivity of the mouth and decrease frequency of infections of the teeth and gums where there is no underlying cause, such as poor nutrition or lack of hygiene.  This can be achieved by improving the drainage mechanism of the head, face and neck, and removing any restriction of the nerves, lymph and blood vessels. 

Bite problems:  Chewing and swallowing are essential but bring about strong persistent forces on the developing face, transmitted through the teeth and via the jaw muscles to the bones of the cranium.  An improper bite has a detrimental effect on the developing cranium, imposing stresses on the face and influencing future dental patterns.  Problems with bite can lead to neck pain, headaches, clicking jaw, dizziness and gum soreness.