Adult Braces and Wearing a Jaw Orthotic

So, I've had my orthotic now for 7 months and there's kind of a physical and emotional breaking-in period. When I first got my orthotic I was so thrilled to feel the relief from all my joint pain. But, on the flip side, I also was extremely self-conscious about speaking and also having to explain to people why I was wearing this contraption, over and over. Now, having braces in my future, I am not looking forward to being an adult, trying to act grown up, but wearing braces.
I'm 26 years old, and so I'm still new to the workforce. Although I've been working for five years now, it can be difficult to gain respect among older, more experienced co-workers. So the idea of having a metal mouth just makes me feel more like a little kid trying to get the "grown-up's" attention. I also work one-on-one with customers in some circumstances, and with the orthotic, it makes it that much more difficult to try to act confident and speak clearly.
I definitely had to get used to the orthotic. For one thing, after I got it I had to go to a family reunion for Thanksgiving and it was somewhat embarrassing that I could barely talk. Add to that the fact that I have to find discreet ways of removing the damn thing from my mouth during meals, and then stick it back in when no one was looking. I was pretty much slobbering and slurring for the first month or so.
Now I'm much better at speaking with it, in fact, some people have said they don't even notice it any more. Which is fine, whatever, even if they do notice it I don't act like it's a big deal. Because it really isn't. I'm way more happy now than I was without it, and I actually hate not wearing it because my jaw muscles instantly seize up and spasm.
So will I get used to the braces? Yes. Will I regret having them? No. But will I be looking forward to the day when I don't have to deal with this anymore, YEP.
I guess it's not any easier getting braces when you're an adult than when you're a kid. As a kid, I suppose it's more acceptable, your friends are all wearing them, and it's a social norm. But being a kid and trying to be comfortable in your own skin is hard enough. Plus as an adult, is anyone actually going to point out that fact that you have braces? Probably not. I actually think it might be more understandable than my explanation of my orthotic and what it's actually doing. "Nope, it's not actually moving my teeth, just my jaw, but not permanently, it's just holding it in that position until they can move my teeth. See, your teeth actually hold your jaw in position..."
Basically they see braces they think, oh she's wearing braces. The End.
So it's not a problem really and I even feel ridiculous whining every once and a while about how I am getting sick of wearing it and the slight discomfort before it needs to be adjusted.. Will I still be irritable and somewhat self-conscious about the whole idea? Yes. Ultimately though, I can do this and I will do this. It's going to be such a short part of my life, and in the long run I will be much happier for it. My next appointment is May 7th, when they will be adjusting the orthotic again. Right now my jaw is in this weird in-between state of wanting to shift forward but being blocked by the orthotic, so it's been giving me a headache. But good news is I think it might be the last adjustment needed! Wish me luck!