Finishing active treatment does not make teeth permanently fixed in place. Retention is the continuing work of holding their position while the mouth keeps changing.

Tooth movement relies on the tissues around the roots. In an adult mouth, their condition and the history of existing dental work shape what can reasonably be planned.

Clear aligners fit into adult life through repeated small habits. Wearing time matters, but so do clean teeth, ordinary meals and a plan for days that run differently.

A straight-looking front row can hide a bite problem, while a visible irregularity may cause little trouble. An assessment puts individual teeth in the context of the whole mouth.

Both approaches move teeth through their supporting tissues. Their differences become clearer when we look at the movement required and the routine each appliance asks of its wearer.

Adults bring different reasons to orthodontic treatment. A useful plan starts with what bothers someone, then tests what moving teeth could reasonably change.