The question of whether dentures are considered orthodontics arises from the shared goal of improving oral health and function, but the two treatments operate under fundamentally different disciplines within dentistry. Orthodontics is a specialized field focused on correcting the alignment of existing teeth and jaws, while the use of dentures falls under the category of prosthodontics or restorative dentistry. Understanding these distinct approaches is necessary to clarify the roles of each in comprehensive dental care. Both treatments are designed to enhance a patient’s bite, ability to speak, and overall facial structure, but they achieve these outcomes through entirely separate mechanisms.
The Purpose of Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of misaligned teeth and jaws, a condition known as malocclusion. This is a biological process that involves applying controlled, gentle forces to teeth over time to move them into better positions within the jawbone structure. The primary goal is to establish a functional and stable bite, which allows for more efficient chewing and speaking, while also making the teeth easier to clean.
Devices like traditional braces, clear aligners, and functional appliances work by remodeling the bone and periodontal ligaments that surround the tooth roots. This remodeling process is a biological response to mechanical pressure, enabling the teeth to physically shift within the arch. Orthodontics addresses issues such as crowded or crooked teeth, excessive spacing, overbites, and underbites, all of which involve the repositioning of natural dental structures.
The Role of Dentures in Dental Health
Dentures are prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and the surrounding soft tissue, falling under the specialty of prosthodontics. They are removable appliances that can either replace a few missing teeth as a partial denture, or an entire arch of teeth as a full denture. The function of dentures is purely restorative, filling the empty spaces left by tooth loss to restore both the ability to chew and clear speech.
The presence of dentures helps to maintain the integrity of the remaining oral structures by distributing bite pressure evenly across the gums and jawbone. Without this prosthetic support, remaining natural teeth can shift out of position, and the jawbone may begin to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. Dentures also play an important role in supporting the facial muscles and preserving the jaw’s natural contours, which helps prevent a sunken facial appearance.
Core Distinctions in Function and Device
The fundamental difference between dentures and orthodontics lies in their respective mechanisms of action and their primary objectives. Orthodontics achieves its results through the biological movement of existing teeth and the modification of jaw structure. It uses appliances to apply continuous, light force that initiates bone remodeling, resulting in a physical, long-term change to the patient’s natural dentition.
In contrast, dentures are passive, non-biological replacements that fill empty spaces. They do not move or correct the position of natural teeth; they simply rest upon the gums or are supported by remaining teeth or implants to restore function and appearance. This makes dentures a form of restorative dentistry, rather than a corrective alignment procedure. The devices themselves are also different, with orthodontics using fixed or removable appliances to apply force, while dentures are removable, prosthetic substitutes.
Collaborative Dental Planning
Despite their distinct purposes, orthodontics and restorative dentistry often work together in a coordinated sequence of care known as pre-prosthetic orthodontics. In this scenario, orthodontic treatment is performed first to optimize the foundation for a future prosthetic device, which may include a partial denture, bridge, or dental implants. The goal is to align any remaining natural teeth and correct bite discrepancies before the final restoration is fabricated.
For instance, an orthodontist may use braces or aligners to upright a molar that has tilted into a gap, creating the necessary vertical space and parallel roots for a prosthetic replacement. This preparatory alignment ensures the final denture or other restoration will fit securely and function correctly, improving the longevity and stability of the prosthetic. This interdisciplinary approach confirms the separation of the two treatments, as orthodontics facilitates the proper placement of the restorative denture, but the denture itself is not an orthodontic device.