Forces Required for Orthodontic Tooth Movements

Orthodontic tooth movements are of various types depending on the amount of force and time duration the force is applied for. So for getting the correct type of tooth movement we need to maintain required amount of force.

Bodily Movement: This is the most desirable type of tooth movement in Orthodontic treatment. Both the crown and root move in the same direction either labially or lingually the same amount of distance.

Force Required for Bodily Tooth Movement: 100-150 grams

Tipping Movement: It is the simplest form of Tooth Movement where greater movement of the crown is seen compared to that of Root. Tipping tooth movement is of two types – Controlled Tipping and Uncontrolled Tipping

• Force Required for Tipping Tooth Movement: 50 to 75 grams

Intrusion: It is defined as the axial movement of the tooth along the long axis towards the apex of the root. It is the type of tooth movement which requires least amount of force.

• Force Required for Intrusion Tooth Movement:  15-25 grams

Extrusion: It is the Axial movement of tooth along the long axis towards the Coronal part of Tooth.

• Force Required for Extrusion Tooth Movement: 50-75 grams

Torquing: It is the labio-lingual movement of root compared to the Tooth.

• Force Required for Torquing Tooth Movement: 75-125 grams

Uprighting: It the type of tooth movement which is used to correct either mesially or distally tilted tooth.

• Force required for Uprighting tooth Movement: 75-125 grams

Rotation: It is the defined as the spinning of tooth along its own long axis which can be achieved by applying a couple of forces together where one force gets nullified and only one movement exists which causes rotation.

• Force Required for Rotation Tooth Movement: 50-75 grams

For treating any patient with malocclusion multiple forces need to be exerted on teeth to get the end result of the desired occlusion. So keeping all the types of tooth movements and the amount of force exerted by each type of tooth movement the duration of application of each force varies accordingly. For example in cases of Anterior Overjet with deep bite, the forces required as Tipping movement and Intrusion which need to be exerted based on the tooth movement achieved.