I'm probably getting some for 2 years. The official time is 1.5, but let's face it. Lies. :P Eh. Let's look at the bright side, right? It could've been headgear. O.O
I have braces right now. In my second year. They only hurt the weeks they need tightening which is every few months. And that's only for a few days but chewing gum lightly will get rid of the pain. After that you don't even know you have them on.
I had braces and all that stuff since the 2nd grade, I finally got them off for good in the 8th grade. They suck, but eventually you forget they are even there (: