I'm 19 and I have braces. I've had them for nearly 6 years. I got them in the summer between grade 8 and grade 9, so all the people in highschool have never seen me without wires in my mouth. But right now, as I finish my 1st year at University, I'm in the final stages of the whole brace thing. I have elastic bands connecting my 2 jaws, so that I close properly. But I think in the long run it will be worth it for sure. The only downside is the annoyance of removing the elastics when I'm eating or partaking in activities with my grilfriend.