One dentist’s new cranial release technique to relieve patient discomfort
A cranial dural release (CDR) is therapeutic technique that alleviates head and neck pain by targeting the dura mater, which is the membrane protecting the skull and spine.1 CDRs can effectively reduce pain by facilitating normal physiologic motion in the head and neck—and can therefore be beneficial in a dental setting.
Dental practitioners aiming to treat head and neck pain in their patients—particularly TMJ, as it is associated with cranial problems—may want to consider applying this technique in their practice.
The science behind CDR
The human skull is not solid. Rather, it is made up of bones that fit together at sutures, which are joints that contain blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments. In infants, these sutures are growth centers that allow for the baby's brain to develop. In adults, they allow for head trauma to be absorbed.2
Inside the skull, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathes and cleans the brain tissue. CSF circulates with the lymphatic system throughout the body; circulation of this fluid depends on flexibility of the skull bones and aforementioned sutures.2
Cranial dural releases are done by moving the bones, sutures, and associated fascia in horizontal and vertical directions to allow for normal motion to occur, which results in a reduction of the pain dysfunction. This is why its benefits dovetail with oral health-related ailments dentists and hygienists encounter in the op.2
CDR relation to dentistry
Since patients with head/neck pain do not have normal “cranial motion," CDR can be an effective form of treatment as it can restore the system to its "normal" mode of motion. The dental occlusion has a direct effect on cranial motion; it can be either positive or negative. Iatrogenic treatments (those aimed at reducing oral discomfort caused by poor medical treatment) like pain resulting from headgear orthodontics, forceful tooth extractions, and improper dental restorations—including crowns and dentures—can cause the cranium to lose motion.
Stephen Broderson, DDS, has recently released the second edition of book titled Releasing Cranial/Dural Strains, Eliminating the Mystique: A Simple, Concise, New Technique, which was originally published in 2021. It is designed to provide step-by-step instructions for clinicians to learn and successfully perform CDR on patients who may need it. The book explains the neural and fascial connections of the head and neck as the rationale for cranial releases.
Below is an interview with Dr. Broderson to get a better sense of what his cranial release method entails.
Why did you develop this technique?
"I wrote this book for dentists because of the vast amount of osteopathic literature that demonstrates that face, head, and neck pain can be caused by improper dental treatment, especially oral surgery."
What can it be used for beyond general head/neck pain?
"Other reasons (for use) include extraction/headgear orthodontics, dentures that don't support the mandible, and restorative treatment that's too short, forcing the lower jaw back. When there is asymmetry in the paired bones, any dental treatment crossing the midline can cause a strain. Because CDR utilizes the sutures for movement, this technique can facilitate tooth and bone movement in orthodontic treatment."
While developing this method, Broderson studied osteopathy in the cranial field and the direct association between dental occlusions and the function of the cranial mechanism. He currently specializes in treating head and neck pain and studying cranial biomechanics' relationship to dental occlusion and malocclusion.
Is there a particular case study you'd like to share?
"In the early development of the releases, I had a patient come to my office with a 'bite' only on one side of his mouth following a motor vehicle accident (MVA) a month earlier. Most dentists would grind the high side down. I performed the release on this patient, and he could immediately get both sides together. The MVA caused a cranial strain that was treated with a noninvasive technique."
CDR can facilitate tooth and bone movement and thus enhance orthodontic outcomes for patients living with the pain from poor dental treatment or other head- and neck-related issues. It can prove a valuable resource for dental professionals looking to improve patient care.
References
- Kekere V, Alsayouri K. Anatomy, head and neck, dura mater. StatPearls. July 24, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545301/
- Broderson S. Releasing Cranial/Dural Strains, Eliminating the Mystique: A Simple, Concise, New Technique. Palmetto Publishing; 2022.
About the Author
Sarah Butkovic, MA, BA
Sarah Butkovic, MA, BA, is an Associate Editor at Endeavor Business Media, where she works on creating and editing engaging and informative content for today's leading online dentistry publications. She holds a Master's English Language and Literature from Loyola University Chicago and is passionate about producing high-quality content that educates, inspires, and connects with readers.
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