The basic motion of translation is described as what kind of movement?

Translation is characterized as a movement where an object shifts positions without any rotation involved. In the context of orthodontics, when describing the motion of translation, it refers to the way teeth can be moved in a straight line within the dental arches. This is distinct from other movements like rotation, which involves an object turning about an axis, or combination movements that include both rotation and translation. The essence of translation is straightforward; it entails a parallel shift of the object, maintaining its orientation, which effectively illustrates how teeth can be aligned or repositioned to improve occlusion.