Which movement is characterized as controlled tipping?

Controlled tipping is a specific type of tooth movement that occurs around the center of resistance. When the force is applied, the tooth rotates around this center, allowing for a combination of tipping and bodily movement. This movement is characterized by the limited extent of the tipping action, which means that the tooth's crown moves in one direction while the root moves in the opposite direction, leading to a controlled change in the angulation of the tooth.

Understanding controlled tipping is important because it allows orthodontists to achieve specific goals. For instance, while the tooth is tipped, it maintains a certain degree of stability and alignment with adjacent teeth. The movement triggered by the application of force relative to the center of resistance helps practitioners effectively manage the movements needed to align teeth and adjust occlusion.

In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of tooth movement. Movement with resistance suggests an inability to freely tip or move, while movement at the occlusal plane may not necessarily involve tipping or controlled rotation around a center. Lastly, tooth movement without constraints implies a lack of controlled direction or stability, which does not describe the precise nature of controlled tipping. Thus, the definition centered on movement relative to the center of resistance accurately captures the essence of controlled tipping in orthodontics.