Once upon a time, braces were the crowning glory on an already awkward stretch of adolescence. The signature tin grin of old went almost hand in hand with raging hormones and Clearasil pads. But the emphasis on Hollywood-perfect smiles hasn’t been lost on folks out of their teens. Adults in their 20s, 30s, and beyond are flocking to their local orthodontists to make long-awaited corrections to their pearly whites. Not surprisingly, female patients are leading the way, accounting for about 70 percent of new adult patients each year, according to the American Association of Orthodontics.

So why would a woman safely sprung from the inadequacies of her teenage years elect to set her mouth in a maze of wires and brackets? “We live in very cosmetically conscious times,” says Baltimore orthodontist Dr. Olwyn Diamond. “The media and reality shows have made adults more aware of the tremendous improvements that dental aesthetics can have on our smiles. Orthodontics not only improves appearances; it seems to have a tremendous effect on self-esteem and self-image.”

Even better, new options, such as small metal “speed braces,” clear ceramic ones, and Invisalign, which uses a series of plastic retainers to gradually correct the teeth, have reduced the clumsiness of the antiquated metal mouth. Depending on the length and type of treatment, braces can range from $4,000 to $6,500, an expense rarely covered by insurance for those over the age of 21. But the self-confidence a set of healthy-looking teeth brings? Priceless. —Janelle Harris

Photo credit: Graça Victoria