I am 28 and have had braces for about 9months. I have clear on top, and metal on the bottom. The clear ones in my opinion look better than the heavy metal ones, but they do stain and get a bit grotty looking, but they get changed every 4-6wks. I am glad I got braces, although I have had a constant face/head ache since I have had them on, but the results so far are worth it. It has cost me so far about $5000-$6000 (including dental work, fillings, 4 teeth removed) but my ortho, and most of them require a deposit, and then you pay some off each week.... it costs me $50 a wk, so that is affordable. Plus anything you pay over $1500, you get 20% back at tax time, so if you can get it all paid before the financial year is up, that works out well also. I have to have mine on for about 2yrs.