I wore braces between raya 2013-raya 2016.
Damon - 5,5k
Extraction- 60-80/each, took out 3 to make space
X-ray - 80 at Tung shin hospital
Retainer - 400

Overall, i love my well aligned teeth.

You need your dentist to carefully review your case.

In my case, my dentist run his own clinic. No trainees are allowed to attend to me. Think again if you are not able to make appt on Sat with your dentist, i suggest you to find another dentist/orthodontic.

There are situations like emergencies. I.e. Wire moved out of position, your dentist need to adjust for you. When there is loose bracket, your dentist need to stick it back. All these are carefully and gentle-ly done because you can be in any low-high range of pain.

My dentist is not an orthodontist, but i put my trust on him. I do not need big name, i just need a good dentist. My advise, find a dentist you can trust.

His office is just walking distance from lrt salak selatan, same row with maybank. 2nd floor. Find him if interested.

Price (2013)
Traditional - 4.5k
Damon - 5.5k

Upfront - 1.7k (upper) and 1.7k (lower).
Balance - monthly installments of 100.

Retainer depends on your teeth. This is what my doctor told me. If your braces were put on very tight to meet some kind of deadline, it will have more tendencies to move back. Hence, the use of retainer.
My doctor specifically didn't make my braces very tight. The movements are very slow and gradual, but it also allowed my jaw to expand and adapt.
The plan is to not have to wear retainer for me if possible.

You are really trading money and time here. Wearing braces longer will mean more $$$ and more time, but what you gain is the time you dont have to wear retainer.

Yup, that's how my dentist explained to me.
Because most people said they would experience pain for the first 1-2 days of re-fitting/tightening of braces.
But I don't experience such pain. (less force exerted on my teeth)

Really depends on your teeth like I said. Like some ppl, they dont even have to wear braces that long cos their teeth arrangement only need minor changes.
Im not a dentist, so I can't answer your question. 
You can negotiate with your dentist and ask though.

I follow someone who wears retainer on social media.
From what I understand, you can have "cheat days" for retainer.
Not recommended, but I dont think you have to worry that much. It's probably not gonna be the rest of your life lol.
There's also fixed vs removable retainer. Both have pros and cons.

A bit more info.
Apparently my case is a bit experimental.
Traditionally, I would have to remove my teeth before I put on my braces. But my dentist tried to create space by expanding my jaws.
It's working, and she is looking to document the process and maybe present it in conference or something.

For me, I dont have problem with time. Takes longer, but I didnt have to remove any teeth.
I dont think it will add that much time though by doing the process slower.

Yup yup.
But be careful. Some dentist are very lazy to follow up. In terms of different phases of aligning the teeth.
So sometimes they would even suggest removing teeth even when you could do it without removing any.
Once you remove, no turning back. 

If you can, whenever possible. Try to opt for not removing. It's faster, but a lot of downsides. Crowding issues especially very prone to removal.
Depending on the doctor's expertise also, can opt not to do x-ray.
I didnt do xray, just straight up made mould. Saved a lot of money.

After 3 years, I am still wearing retainer every night. Might just cheat a day or two, but I don't dare to take the risk.
I have a friend, 12 years and still wearing retainer.

If you don't want to wear the retainer, you might have to redo your braces again if your teeth move.
You are lucky if it is not.

My dentist told me, the retainer will be there for your lifetime unless you give up.

Hope you understand that.