Adult orthodontics is becoming a larger proportion of many practices. Orthodontics for the adult patient is concerned with striking a balance between achieving optimal proximal and occlusal contact of the teeth, acceptable dentofacialaesthetics, normal function, and reasonable stability. With the adult, it is more frequently concerned with physiological adaptation and is often symptom related, whereas with the child the dealing is with the signs. In the past three decades, a major reorientation of orthodontic thinking has occurred regarding adult patients. Changed lifestyles and patient awareness have increased the demands for adult orthodontic treatment and multidisciplinary dental therapy has allowed better management of the more complicated and unique requirements of the adult patient population, thereby greatly improving the quality of care and treatment prognosis. In addition to goal clarification, adult patients desire treatment efficiency, convenience in appointment timings and good communication with other health care professionals. Almost 80% of the adult patients require interdisciplinary treatment planning and treatment execution. The purpose of this article is to review the scope, effectiveness and limitations of orthodontic treatment in adult patients.