Kim from Los Angeles, California

I got braces for the first time 16 years ago, when I was 13 years old. After two and a half years, they came off and my teeth looked great. Over the years, the retainer usage went from rare to non- existent. And gradually, year after year, the gap between my two front teeth widened to about the same spot as those early adolescent years. For the past couple years, I had gone back and forth with the idea of getting braces again.

Feeling guilty for wasting my parent's money and feeling like a failure for letting my gap get so bad again, I really didn't think it was right for me to fork over all the money for adult braces. It was like I had my chance and I blew it. Well, for whatever reason, I decided I'd had enough of hating my smile and took the plunge this year.

I had my "clear braces" put on 4 days ago. They've felt really uncomfortable and I've been a bit of a baby through it all. I've got sores on my gums and tongue - lovely! I've gone through a ton of wax. It has hurt to talk and eat. I cover my mouth even more than I already did before. But all this said, I'm happy with my decision and I just keep thinking about the great smile I will have again in just a few months! A smile is worth a thousand words - and it's an investment I definitely won't mess up this time around! (of course - this time it's my money!)