"Working with the update of the book on adult orthodontics I had to look back on the development within our discipline. In 1998 Carine Carels organised a symposium on "The future of orthodontics" The lectures given in that symposium were focussed on research related to the influence of genetics and enviromental factors. Already then it was obvious that genetics was dominating over the environment i.e. the orthodontic force systems. Another part of the symposium brought the attention to the increasing difficulties in using animal models when testing various treatment approaches. The pro et contra when randomised control trial was discussed and an attempt to quantify the need for treatment and to choose the optimal treatment time was illucidated. Altogether, the sprit was high, but when looking at the developments occurring since the symposium in Leuven they have deviated from the prediction with respect to several aspects. The development of orthodontics has, as most other disciplines, been fractioned and more parts have been outsourced. The companies have taken over. Orthodontists are no longer wire-benders , the first second and third order corrections are taken care of when buying the right preformed bracket. Given the current trends, many patients will receive orthodontic treatment by non-specialist dentists or without dentists at all. The number of adult patients is growing and one could envision orthodontists treating mostly patients with severe or complex malocclusions, or with iatrogenic damages, or in need of re-retreatment"-- Provided by publisher.