8 months
Re: cost
The cost of fashion braces , especially if they are not being regularly adjusted, should be no/low cost. Most of the cost is in the initial installation and removal, and the monthly adjustment appointments. I seriously doubt she’s going regularly.
FYI- discoloration of the enamel can happen as a result of braces due to inconsistent staining of enamel. The longer they are on, the worse it can be. It’s possible that she doesn’t want them removed for this reason.
That would deal with the wire. The brackets glued to the teeth, no.