They tell you it will be 18months but it really wont, they said it would be that to me, its now been 5 years Im 17 now and its pretty shit to be honest, every 6 weeks or so they will put a new wire in and the teeth will hurt to much to eat anything solid for a couple of days, I dont think girls mind them much though. Its probably worth it in the long run but you really will hate it when you first get it especially.