Not to be a downer or anything but I got mine back in November 2005 and they told meI'd have them off by the time I graduated high school. I graduate, they were still on. Told me I'd get them off for the summer. Summer's done now. Last checkup they told me they estimate 8 months. It's infuriating and I hate them. You'll get used to them. And don't mind my bitching, people who have had braces tell me that I am too angry about them but for me personally, I hate my braces. Going to college with them now.