I just took off my braces 20 days ago, corrected them for three years, and I have to wear a retainer for two years. Generally, three years is enough to correct teeth, and five years is rare. Unless your teeth have very serious problems, it won't take so long. Including braces, it's only about five years.
Orthodontics is very popular now, especially for teenagers, and the time for orthodontics is very suitable. Orthodontics is very popular abroad, and almost every child can correct his teeth because they attach great importance to his teeth. In recent years, domestic technology is also very good. As for the sequela problem you mentioned, it is only based on possibility, right? It won't happen to everyone after orthodontics. For example, when you say "teeth get bigger", you need to know why teeth get bigger. If you can wear the retainer every day for two years after taking off the appliance, you don't have to worry about this problem at all. As the name implies, the retainer is to keep the teeth in the state of correction, and two years is enough for the roots to grow well and firmly again. Only those who think it doesn't matter to take off the braces and put on the retention band at last will lead to the situation that the root of the tooth is not long or the gap between the teeth is enlarged.
The same is true of other problems. Pay attention to oral hygiene, whether it is corrected or not, teeth will be very healthy. On the other hand, if you don't pay attention to oral hygiene, you will have oral problems whether you correct your teeth or not, right?
One more thing, you may not understand it very well. The process of orthodontics is to pull out your bad teeth or teeth that affect your appearance, and shift the remaining teeth to achieve the effect of contraction and beauty. It has no effect on teeth and gums, but the only thing that can't answer you for sure is the firmness of teeth when you get old. Perhaps only the earliest orthodontists would know this.
Since you really want a beautiful tooth and a bright smile, why are you still worried and not acting? I can definitely answer you that my teeth are fine, neat and beautiful now. I don't have any of these questions, so I won't regret having my teeth restored. Although it's a long process and it's quite uncomfortable at first, it's still very rewarding after going through hardships, isn't it?
Hehe, I didn't meet your requirements, but my classmate took off braces for four or five years. Because she didn't wear a retainer, her teeth were irregular just now, which is why she made me insist on wearing a retainer. She has no other oral problems.