ANCHORAGE IN DENTISTRY

Anchorage is a fundamental biomechanical concept in dentistry that determines the resistance of oral structures to functional and parafunctional forces. In prosthodontics, anchorage plays a critical role in the stability, retention, and longevity of dental prostheses. Unlike orthodontics, where anchorage is used to control tooth movement, prosthodontic anchorage focuses on resisting displacement and distributing forces in a biologically acceptable manner. This project comprehensively reviews the concept of anchorage from a prosthodontic perspective: its definition, biomechanical principles, classification systems, clinical applications in fixed, removable, and complete dentures, its role in anchorage control and loss, its importance for tooth stability, structural integrity and treatment planning, and its interdisciplinary correlations with orthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, and implantology. Flowcharts and comparison diagrams are included to aid conceptual clarity.Subject Terms: anchorage, prosthodontics, biomechanics, denture stability, abutment, force distribution, periodontal ligament, residual ridge .