In the treatment of adult orthodontic patients, it is of the utmost importance that the force created by the chosen biomechanical system lead to the desired tooth movement without any round tripping and that it render the right level and distribution of stress to the periodontal ligament. Vertical control is crucial and the establishment of anchorage is therefore important. This report discusses these requirements as well as the differences in treatment considerations for adults and for younger (still-developing) patients. Examples are given of different ways of ensuring the vertical control, and the importance of occlusal forces as part of the anchorage is stressed. Two cases are used to illustrate the principles discussed.