I'm a 26 year old female, and I have been wanting braces for a loooong time. Other people always tell me, "Your teeth are fine!" or "You have a beautiful smile!" but I do not feel that way when I look in the mirror or at myself in pictures. 1. I have an overbite 2. I have a crooked canine tooth on the top that sticks out, and I notice it in every picture...I hate it!!! 3. I have a crossbite on the left side 4. My bite is off center. 5. I have slight crowding of the lower front teeth. All of my top teeth are pretty straight (other than the 1 canine tooth, which drives me crazy) and I only smile showing those, which is probably the reason people don't notice the "other" problems in my mouth.
Anyway, I went for a consultation about 3 weeks ago. I was really excited going into the consultation. I was thinking, "Yes, I'm finally going to do it!" When I arrived, I sat in the chair and the orthodontist looked into my mouth and told me that my upper arch was really narrow, and that I would need a Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) to widen it. She showed me this appliance, and the first thing I thought was, "That thing must be extremely uncomfortable!"
She told me I would need to turn this little "key" thing once every day or two, and it would gradually widen my upper arch. OUCH! 
She told me once I stopped turning it, they could put the braces on, but I would still need to leave this appliance in for at least 6 months. Ughh!!! I left feeling discouraged, sad, nervous, and scared. Well, since that consultation, I have thought about it A LOT, and have gone through a roller coaster of emotions. But, after much consideration I have decided to go through with it. YIKES!
But, I have to say it's weird because now I'm actually excited and anxious to get started, where as, after that consulation I was quite discouraged. Anyway, I have opted to go for ceramic braces on the top and the bottom for aesthetic purposes. I have an appointment on September 14th to get xrays, pictures, records, a model, and to have separaters put between my back teeth. I'm excited to get this whole process started, but nervous about any pain I'm going to experience. I just hope I can handle it!
I know exactly what you've been through when you say 'rollercoaster of emotions'. I'm 29 so have been waiting even longer than you (!), and I've put it off soo many times. I went for my x-rays & moulds about 10 days ago, and I see the orthodontist for the 'official' treatment plan on thursday this week 
). When it's all over, I know I will be happy and it will all be worth it! 
