While conventional medicine still has not figured out what exactly causes migraine headaches, one trigger has been identified as being caused by cranial dental imbalances. When the cranial bones and joints in the skull bones are distorted, changes in pressure can cause issues such as migraine pain. When the jaw is not aligned properly, known as malocclusion, the cranial-dental balances can become quite severe.

Diagnosing cranial distortion uses four indicators to palpate the skull and to determine whether the contact of the teeth worsens the cranial strain patterns, which could cause a migraine headache. If the contact of the teeth increases skull distortion, a high probability exists that this is a major cause for the patient’s headaches and migraines.

In one example, a patient who experiences migraine headaches may be tested for having cranial distortions caused by pressure when the teeth are closed. Treatment may involve orthodontic treatment to align the jaw and teeth properly to alleviate the pressure of the dental cranial imbalances. The structural correction is a non-invasive procedure and it fixes the underlying problem, often alleviating the migraines.

Sometimes, migraines can be caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) which are when the TMJ joint is broken down, often due to things such as grinding or clenching of the jaw. Often, when someone gets migraines the first place to look is the TMJ joint, as it is frequently the root of the problem. Stress, among a number of other conditions, can cause jaw clenching which leads to irritation of the TMJ joint. This can progress to further cranial imbalances and create a cycle of migraines.

If a migraine is caused by cranial imbalances caused by TMJ disorders, your first step would be to see your dentist. The good news is that TMJ and cranial imbalances can be treated, which could be the key to getting rid of your migraines for good.