Adult demand for orthodontics has grown considerably over the past 10 years. Three main factors account for this development: (i) health has become a major concern; (ii) facial appearance, and particularly the smile, is all-important; (iii) the introduction of invisible appliances bonded to the lingual surfaces. Adult patients need to be received and treated differently from young children. The aim of this article is to analyze the differences between adult and children's orthodontics and to offer solutions. The latter will embrace orthodontic technique and office organization. We will address all the issues which make adult orthodontics an area apart.
Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.