Presned bDr K. M.

RukhAif Zaman
Khan
Department of Orthodontics and
Dentofacial Orthopaedics

Biology of tooth
1.movement
Pressure Tension Theory by Schwarz: or Tissue Reaction to
Orthodontic Forces:
When force is applied on a tooth to bring about orthodontic
movement, it results in formation of areas of Pressure and Tension
around the tooth. Areas of Pressure are formed in the Direction
of the tooth movement, while areas of Tension form in the opposite
Direction.
Bone is a living tissue which reacts to pressure and tension in a
certain defined manner. Bone surface subjected to Pressure
reacts by bone resorption while bone subjected to Tension exhibit
Deposition.

Biology of tooth
movement
When a tooth is moved due to application of an orthodontic force,
there is bone resorption on the pressure side and new bone
formation on the tension side.

Phases of Tooth Movement

Studies have shown that tooth movement progresses through three
Stages. Burstone categories the stages as:
a. Initial Stage
b. Lag Phase c. Post Lag Phase
a. Initial Stage: During this phase, very rapid tooth movement is
observed over a short distance which then stops. This movement
represents displacement of tooth in the PDL space and probably
bending of alveolar bone to a certain extent. Both light and heavy
forces displace the tooth to the same extent during this phase.
Tooth movement in the initial phase is between 0.4mm to 0.9mm and
usually occurs in a weeks time

Phases of Tooth Movement

b. Lag Phase: During this phase little or no tooth movement occurs.
this phase is characterized by formation of hyalinized tissue in the
PDL which has to be resorbed before further tooth movement can
occur. The duration of the lag phase depends on the amount of
force used to move the tooth. If light force are used, the area of
hyalinization is small and frontal resorption occurs. If heavy force are
used, the area of Hyalinization is large, resorption in this case is
rearward and longer lag period occurs to eliminate the hyalinized
tissue. The lag phase usually extends for 2-3 weeks. Duration of
this phase depends upon the density of alveolar bone, age of the Pt.,
and extent of the hyalinized tissue

c. Post Lag Phase: After the lag phase, tooth movement progresses
rapidly as hyalinized zone is removed and bone undergoes
resorption. During the post lag period, osteoclasts are found over a
large surface area resulting in direct resorption of bony surface
facing the periodontal ligament.

FORCE

Tissue Reaction to Orthodontic Forces

Pressure Side: [ P ]
PDL: Compressed to about 1/3 rd of its thickness
Bone: Bone Resorption Occur
P
T

T T= OSTEOBLAST CELL
[ Bone Formation ]

FORCE

Tension Side: [ T ]
PDL: Stretched
Bone: Bone Formation

P= OSTEOCLAST CELL
[ Bone Resorption ]

Optimal Forces for Different Tooth

Movements
Movements
Optimal
Forces
1.
Tipping-----------------------50-75g / tooth

2. Rotation----------------------50-75g / tooth
3. Extrusion---------------------50-75g / tooth
4. Bodily----------------------100-150g / tooth
5. Up-righting-----------------75-125g / tooth
6. Intrusion----------------------15-25g / tooth

Optimum Orthodontic Force

Optimum orthodontic force is one which moves the teeth most
rapidly in the desired direction, with the least possible damage to
tissue and with minimum patient discomfort. From a clinical point
of view, optimum orthodontic force has the following characteristics:
1. Produces rapid tooth movement
2. Minimum patient discomfort
3. The Lag phase of tooth movement is minimal
4. No marked mobility of teeth being moved

Types of Forces based on duration of

application
Based on the duration of Application, force can be divided into:
1. Continuous Force: it is an active orthodontic force that
decreases little in magnitude between appointment periods.
Eg. Light wire appliance
2. Intermittent Force: it is an active orthodontic force the decays to
zero magnitude or nearly prior to next appointment.
3. Interrupted Force: it is an orthodontic or orthopeadic force that
is inactive for intervals of time between appointments.
Eg. Head gear.

Force

Interrupted Force

Continuous Force

Intermittent Force

Duration of Application

Types of Tooth Movement

The prime motive of orthodontic treatment is to move the teeth into
more favorable and corrected positions. To achieve this goal, the
teeth undergo a variety of movements in three dimensions such as
sagittal, coronal and transverse. Tooth movements within the oral
cavity can be listed as follows:
1. Tipping
7. Torquing
2. Rotation
3. Extrusion
4. Bodily movement
5. Up-righting
6. Intrusion

1. Tipping: During tipping, crown of the tooth moves in the direction

of the force and the root in the opposite direction. It can be of two
types: a. Controlled tipping b. Uncontrolled tipping

2. Rotation
Rotations are labial or lingual movements of a tooth around its long
axis. If line of force does not pass through the long axis of the tooth
It results in rotation. Correction of rotation requires Couple force.

3. Extrusion

Extrusion is the bodily displacement of a tooth

along its long axis in an occlusal direction

4. Bodily Movement (translation)

5. Up-righting
During RX. The crown of certain teeth
Will be tipped in a mesio-lingual
Direction with the roots tipped
In the opposite way. Tipping these
Roots back to get parallel orientation
Is termed up-righting.

6. Intrusion

Intrusion is the bodily displacement of a tooth

along its long axis in an apical direction

Occlusal plane
FORCE

7. Torquing
It is a movement of the root without significant
movement of the crown. It is reverse tipping
used to correct the effects of uncontrolled tipping

References:
1.Orthodontics; The Art and Science;
Fifth Edition; S. I. Bhalajhi
2.Textbook of Orthodontics; M. S. Rani