When I was about 12, a dentist told my parents I needed braces. My teeth were too crowded in my tiny mouth and crooked in spots. My parents, who afforded me a remarkable amount of autonomy, let me ...

I spent many hours of my childhood at the orthodontist’s office. Thanks to my cleft palate, I wore braces on and off for about 10 years. Although I never had braces as an adult (I finished my ...