Ruweda Dawids Materials 1

What is meant by 'functional forces' with regard to the force application in orthodontic tooth movement?
Functional forces appear against the tooth only during normal oral function. Thus, each time the patient swallows, the activator directs the forces of the muscle contractions against the teeth. Functional forces are not easy to control and do not move the teeth as rapidly as dissipating or intermittent forces. it should be remembered, however, that loose removable appliances are not designed primarily as tooth-moving appliances but rather as devices to affect the growing craniofacial skeleton.