Anchorage (orthodontics)

Anchorage a medical term in orthodontics is defined as a way of resisting movement of a tooth or number of teeth by using different techniques.

Anchorage is an important consideration in the field of orthodontics as this is a concept that is used frequently when correcting malocclusions.

Orthodontic headgear will usually consist of three major components: Robert Moyers defined the classification of anchorage in the number of units.

[5] In some orthodontic cases, teeth have to be removed in order to either relieve dental crowding or reduce a large overjet or overbite.

This type of anchorage is considered moderate, which involves 50% movement of both anterior and posterior teeth into the extraction space.

In this type of anchorage, the location of the implant plays a very important role due to different force vectors being affected.

Therefore, cortical anchorage is used in orthodontics to allow for slower movement of teeth, especially molars in the posterior dentition.