Very interesting, and also very peculiar to me.
How does one go about initiating orthodontics there?
Sit on the phone and phone them up where they give you the list of answers to questions posed (or via email as in this case), without even looking. Seems to be missing a step of going in for a look-see. Then again I can see the point of filtering out the bored and lonely who may do that just to kill and after noon.
Seriously though, with the first guy who responds to his emails. How about taking some decent photos open mouth closed, side etc. (check the brace story section for good clear shots one can take), and email them to that guy so he can maybe give some idea at minimum what the problem is. I think it would be important to know what the problem is before anything and for sure one should not have to pay for that. Even your dentist should be able to give an idea. If it is glaring overbite, under bite, mega over jet, etc. Or just a few skew teeth with a good bite, you can take it to the next step. If super complicated with possibilities of extractions head gear, surgery, then as many consultings and costings it takes, is worth it. If you get an idea that the case is straightforward, just go with the one ortho. You need some idea of what the problem is before doing anything for sure.
Try the photos to the one first as well as seeing what your dentist says. Or just jump in with the first guy who seems to be interested / capable / bothered enough to answer his own emails.
Who does you dentist recommend?
Even do a drive by and visit their practices - have a look at their portfolios - should cost anything. Even something as simple as that can give the the right feel who to go with.
Anyway good luck. Don't worry about what other people think about you having braces. And also the 2 years or so fly by and at the end of the day you simply cannot regret getting your teeth fixed.