What is required for achieving bodily movement of a tooth in orthodontics?

To achieve bodily movement of a tooth in orthodontics, it is essential to employ forces that affect both the crown and the root simultaneously. This is because bodily movement, as opposed to tipping or rotation, requires the entire tooth to move in a translational manner.

When forces are applied only to the crown, the tooth may tip or rotate around its root instead of moving as a whole. For effective bodily movement, the application of force must be such that it encompasses the tooth's entire structure, allowing for balanced movement without causing undue stress to either the crown or the root. This type of movement is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the periodontal ligament and ensuring that the tooth is positioned properly within the alveolar bone.

Using elastic bands alone or focusing on only one part of the tooth would not provide the necessary force distribution needed for this type of movement, as they do not address the need for simultaneous action on both the crown and the root. Moreover, while gradual movement over time is generally important in orthodontics, it is not a specific requirement for achieving true bodily movement, which hinges more critically on the simultaneous application of forces.