My 11 year-old daughter may need braces and a retainer over a span of 4 years. I am willing and able to pay, but I am not sure about the nuisance and bother. I have been recommended the traditional metal and wire form by the orthodontist, but am alarmed at the seeming bulkiness and nuisance if not actual danger to tooth health of the cleanliness aspect of having so many metal parts and elastics etc. in the mouth. I have all the literature and I know orthodontists are quite willing to subject people to this, but I would be very grateful for your first-hand experiences as a parent or even someone who has worn braces....particularly about how easy or difficult it is to become accustomed to the pain, inconvenience and dietary denials involved. Thanks.