A dental bridge is not considered orthodontic treatment. These two procedures belong to distinct branches of dentistry with fundamentally different goals. Orthodontic treatment focuses on repositioning teeth and correcting the bite, while a bridge is a fixed prosthetic device aimed at replacing missing teeth. Understanding the differences between these two areas of dental care clarifies why they are classified separately.
The Focus of Orthodontic Dentistry
Orthodontic dentistry is a specialized field dedicated to diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities, known as malocclusions. The primary purpose of this specialty is to achieve the optimal alignment of teeth and jaws for improved function and aesthetics. This involves the controlled, sustained application of force to move teeth through the alveolar bone.
Appliances like traditional braces, clear aligners, and retainers are used to reposition teeth. Orthodontic work addresses issues such as crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, or bite problems like overbites and underbites. Aligning the teeth makes them easier to clean, which reduces the risk of decay and gum disease, while also distributing chewing forces more evenly.
The biological process involves the remodeling of the jawbone around the tooth roots in response to the pressure exerted by the appliances. Bone tissue is resorbed on the side of the pressure and deposited on the side of the tension, allowing the tooth to slowly shift position. This specialized focus on tooth movement and bite correction distinguishes orthodontics as a separate discipline from restorative procedures.
The Role of the Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a form of fixed prosthetics, designed to bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Its function is purely restorative, replacing lost dental material and restoring continuity to the dental arch. A traditional bridge consists of a false tooth, called a pontic, which is held in place by crowns cemented onto the natural teeth adjacent to the gap.
The goal of placing a bridge is to restore chewing function, improve speech clarity, and enhance the appearance of the smile. By filling the empty space, the bridge also prevents the remaining natural teeth from shifting or tilting into the void. This shifting can otherwise destabilize the bite and lead to further dental complications.
Unlike orthodontic devices, a bridge is a non-removable fixture that does not actively move teeth; instead, it is anchored securely to existing structures. A bridge serves as a fixed replacement for a missing body part, which is the definition of a prosthetic device, not an alignment tool.
Treatment Sequencing and Specialist Roles
The professional who places a dental bridge is typically a general dentist or a prosthodontist, a specialist in prosthetic dental appliances. This is different from an orthodontist, who is the specialist responsible for tooth movement and alignment focused on correcting malocclusion.
When a patient requires both orthodontic treatment and a bridge, the procedures are almost always performed sequentially, not simultaneously. Orthodontic treatment, which involves moving the teeth, must be completed before the final fixed restoration is placed. Moving teeth after a bridge has been permanently cemented would put undue stress on the restoration and the anchoring teeth.
This sequencing ensures that the teeth are in their final, corrected positions before the permanent bridge is designed and installed to fit that precise alignment. The orthodontist and the restorative dentist must work together to coordinate the treatment plan, with the final restorative phase depending on the successful completion of the alignment phase.