If you are anything like me and therefore did not fit into the category of fortunate young souls that had orthodontic work finished by the end of the perpetually awkward phase known as middle school, you may dread the whole idea of having--gulp--braces.

Sure, they are cute as all get out on twelve-year-old cheerleaders and geeky seventh graders who ultimately turn out to be surprising hunks by the time high school graduation rolls around, but once you cross that threshold into adulthood, it becomes difficult to think of a mouth full of metal as even remotely acceptable, even when you know it will ultimately boost your confidence down the road.

Fortunately for people like you and me (I didn\'t get in to see an orthodontist until after I had already turned 18 and was preparing to set off for college), medical and orthodontic technology has advanced to the point where traditional teeth-obscuring train tracks are not the only path to developing an idyllic, dazzlingly straight white smile.

Even if traditional braces don\'t appeal to you, consider a few things about them before making a final decision. First of all, the metal wiring has become much slimmer and more unobtrusive than ever before. Sure, people will still notice that you have braces, but they won\'t entirely obscure the smile in progress behind them.

Second, you should keep in mind that this traditional method is still one of the fastest ways to develop straight teeth. Furthermore, there are still some complex cases that can only be corrected by brackets and wiring.

If you know yours might fit into this category, then try to avoid having your heart set on the \"invisible\" treatments. Trust me, it\'s not all bad. I actually received compliments on my braces from strangers on a regular basis.

Plus, experimenting with the rubber band colors doesn\'t have to be fun exclusive to elementary school kids. I even had braces when I got married, so I made sure to have white rubber bands for the big day, and I really enjoyed it!

If you consult with your orthodontist, you may find that alternative methods are acceptable for treating your particular case. Invisalign is pretty simple--after taking molds of your mouth and deciding on a \"trajectory,\" for your teeth, you are made a series of trays, which are essentially just clear retainers, which are meant to move your teeth by increments to where they should ultimately end up. This works best for mild cases of crowding or moderate cases of excessive spacing.

It is valued for its convenience, as you must wear the tray for a certain number of hours each day, but you are the one to schedule those hours. Since they are also obviously less noticeable, fewer people worry over getting them done and over within the standard two year timeframe of traditional braces. However, these are also known to take even less time!

Another increasingly popular option is called \"concealed braces.\" They operate in the same way that traditional braces do, only they are wired to the back of your teeth, making them virtually invisible. These are the ideal for someone who wants to avoid the high visibility of traditional braces but must still face a more complex treatment than someone who can having corrective therapy with Invisalign.

Be sure to consult with your orthodontist openly about your concern of being an active adult with braces. But listen to your friends and family members, too; when they tell you, \"Oh, it goes by so fast,\" and, \"You will get so used to them that it will be weird when they come off,\" they aren\'t saying that just to make you feel better!

I have had my braces off for almost a year, and I feel strange without them. But more important are my results--they were so stunning that my mom was inspired to get braces at the age of 53. So just sit back and open wide--you won\'t regret it!