What does a lingual appliance do to the mandibular teeth?

A lingual appliance primarily exerts forces that are directed towards the lingual aspect of the mandibular teeth, which typically results in the labial tipping of these teeth. This is due to the design of the appliance, which often includes brackets or attachments that apply pressure on the lingual surfaces, causing the teeth to tip facially (labially).

The mechanics involved with a lingual appliance often involve specific adjustments and forces that can create this tipping motion effectively. This can be particularly valuable in orthodontic treatment where correcting the alignment and position of the anterior teeth is required. As a result, the answer that focuses on labially tipping the teeth accurately reflects the primary function of a lingual appliance in the context of orthodontic treatment for mandibular teeth.

Other options, like intruding or extruding the teeth, refer to vertical movements which are not the main action associated with a lingual appliance; these actions typically require different types of mechanical forces and appliance designs. Centric occlusion, meanwhile, is related to the overall occlusion of the bite rather than the specific impact of a lingual appliance on individual teeth.