The first time I had braces was in mid twenties for 2 years nothing special only one rubberband, The second time was my late thirties because the first ortho didn't correctly fix my bite, found later he was fined by the state for malpractice, again just braces and elastics for 2.5 years. The third time I had to get braces was because my wisdom teeth were removed and I had developed a large overbite and crossbite. 2 days before I turned 50 I was fitted with full braces and on the very first day I also was fitted with a headgear, I was told to get up 20+ hours a day of wear. So the very first day I wore may headgear right away in the office, boy did I get the looks from the kids. I wore it for 2 years the last 8 months for 24\7. Finally after 2.5 years the ortho decided I needed a tough crib which I wore for the last year of my treatment 3.5 years total. So that was 8 years of treatment which I loved every day of it.