Biomechanical considerations for orthodontic treatment of adults.

Biomechanical modifications made to accommodate orthodontic treatment of adult dentitions are generally minor and adhere to the basic laws of physics as they apply to all orthodontic tooth movement. Some adult presentations necessitate changes in treatment strategy from what would otherwise be employed in adolescent patients to achieve similar goals. In other cases, objective themselves may need to be modified because of a lack of growth potential, constraints of treatment mandated by the patient, or the presence of multiple missing or compromised teeth. The possibilities and limitations of orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatment for adults are usually easier to define before beginning therapy than with adolescent patients because the unknown contribution that growth will make has already been discounted. By planning treatment and mechanotherapy taking into account the individual circumstances that may affect the patient's biological response to treatment, realistic goals of orthodontics can be mutually recognized and agreed on by both the provider and the patient before therapy is initiated.