The causes of cranio-mandibular dysfunction are attributable in many cases to bruxism (strong clenching of the jaws), grinding the teeth, malocclusion, stress or trauma.

These triggering events lead to a minimal change in the teeth and jaw, which can lead to a change in the position of the jaw.

The change in the position of the jaw leads to increased pressure on the structures of the temporomandibular joint and to the entire skull.

The muscles in the jaw, head, neck and back region are stressed unphysiologically (not normally), which leads in the long term to pain in these areas.