I have clear damon in the upper front and metal elsewhere; no extractions besides the wisdom teeth. I have to stick with them for another 23 months (+retainers 24/6 for 6months) but I have already started seeing results and I'm quite excited. I have moderate crowding in the lower jaw and severe in the upper. Upper midline is also off and have crossbite in 2-3 teeth. I always hated my high canines and never felt confident to smile. I don't have any pictures of myself smiling with teeth. To be frank, I never smile on photos. Every time I had to smile or laugh and I was sure that my high canines will show, I was covering my mouth with my hand. I was told that I'm distant and unapproachable and in my late teens/early twenties I was told that people are hesitating to approach me because I always look too serious.
I've had my braces for a bit over a month now and what I've noticed is that I smile a lot more. I feel more confident about my smile. I know that most people who get braces do the opposite and smile less, but somehow, I smile a lot more to the point I want to make up for all these years I wasn't smiling! I've already noticed progress as well, as my right canine has almost come down to where it's supposed to be! The wire almost looks straight. I'm so thrilled

I have many questions about braces, but the one I want to know now is how long it will take for my teeth to look relatively aligned. I've heard from other people that usually teeth look relatively straight by 6 months and after this period only small movements occur. I was also told I will need elastics at 1yr. I didn't ask what they will correct. Does anyone know what they usually correct?