What function does an orthodontic appliance typically serve?

An orthodontic appliance primarily serves the function of modifying the positions of teeth within the dental arch. Tipping refers to the movement of a tooth around its long axis; for instance, it involves changing the angle of the tooth such that its crown may move in one direction while the root moves in the opposite direction. Orthodontic appliances are specifically designed to create forces that facilitate this type of movement, which is essential in correcting misalignments and achieving proper occlusion.

Many orthodontic treatments focus on correcting various alignment issues, and tipping is a common movement that can help achieve a more harmonious alignment of the teeth. For instance, if a tooth is protruding or misaligned, an orthodontic appliance can apply gentle forces to tip the tooth into the desired position.

The other options suggest specific movement types that, while important in orthodontics, do not fully capture the more general function that encompasses what orthodontic appliances achieve. For instance, extrusion focuses on vertically moving a tooth out of its socket, retraction may involve pulling teeth backward into the arch, and uprighting specifically addresses returning a tilted tooth to a more vertical position.