Braces Removal in Kent and Sammamish
Appointment-based braces removal for Freelove patients, transfer patients, and finished cases from other offices. Teeth polished, a digital scan taken, and retainers fabricated in-house.
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Cameron Freelove, DDS, MS · Last updated
What Happens at Braces Removal
Braces removal, the clinical term is debonding, is a single 30 to 60 minute appointment at the end of active treatment. No anaesthetic, no drilling, no downtime. Patients walk in with brackets on and walk out with a polished smile. Custom retainers are scanned at the debond visit and are typically ready in one to two days.
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Bracket Removal
Our team uses orthodontic pliers to gently squeeze the base of each bracket, breaking the adhesive bond against the enamel. Archwires come off first, then the brackets one by one. Patients feel brief pressure, not sharp pain. This step takes a few minutes.
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Adhesive Cleanup
A specialised polishing bur removes the residual bonding cement without damaging the enamel underneath. The sensation is closer to a routine dental cleaning than anything the patient has felt during active treatment. This step takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on how much composite was used.
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Polish & Retainer Scan
Teeth are polished smooth and a Aoralscan 3 scan captures the finished arch shape for the patient’s custom Essix retainer. This step takes 5 to 10 minutes.
When Braces Removal Is Appropriate
Debonding only happens when the teeth have finished moving. Dr. Freelove evaluates the case against three criteria at the appointment before removal so nothing gets taken off a visit too early.
- The bite is finished. Back teeth interdigitate properly and the overbite and overjet are corrected. A straight front six is not a finished case if the posterior bite does not fit.
- Root positions check out. Imaging confirms the roots are parallel and properly positioned in bone, so the result is stable rather than just camera-ready.
- The smile looks right. Dr. Freelove evaluates the esthetic finish (tooth display, smile arc, facial balance) before scheduling removal and reviews the result with the patient.
Braces Removal for Patients Who Started Elsewhere
Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design welcomes patients who started braces at another office, whether the goal is finishing treatment after a move or simply having brackets removed. All removal visits are scheduled by appointment; the practice does not accept walk-ins, so patients should call ahead to reserve dedicated time at the Kent or Sammamish office.
- By appointment only. Every consultation, treatment visit, and removal appointment is scheduled in advance so Dr. Freelove has dedicated time for each patient.
- Transfer patients welcomed. Patients relocating to King County mid-treatment can transfer their case to Dr. Freelove rather than removing braces early. Insurance verification and claims handling are complimentary.
- Retainers without the lab wait. The digital scan taken at removal drives an in-house fabricated retainer, so the finished result is protected without an outside-lab shipping delay.
Includes the debonding procedure (bracket and wire removal, adhesive cleanup, enamel polishing). Retainer fabrication is quoted separately based on the option chosen below.
Current Freelove patients pay nothing for removal. Debonding, polishing, and one set of Essix retainers are included in the original treatment fee for every patient who started and finished active treatment with Dr. Freelove.
In-House Retainer Delivery
Most orthodontic offices send retainer moulds to an outside lab and the patient waits one to two weeks for delivery, a period when teeth are most likely to shift because nothing is holding the new position. Freelove Orthodontics handles retainer fabrication differently.
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Digital Scan at Debond
The Shining Aoralscan 3 captures the finished arches in a 3D digital scan right after the brackets come off and the enamel is polished. No putty impressions.
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Model Printed In-House
The practice’s in-house 3D printer produces a physical model of the finished arches from that scan.
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Retainer Thermoformed In-House
The clear retainer is thermoformed on the printed model in the office, cutting out the shipping loop that leaves teeth unretained for one to two weeks at offices that send impressions to an outside lab. Retainers are typically ready the next day or within two days, depending on the patient and the lab schedule.
Retention Handoff: Why Retainers Are the Rest of Treatment
The day the braces come off is not the end of treatment; it is the handoff to retention. Teeth can shift at any age, so Dr. Freelove recommends retainers as a long-term commitment that protects the investment the patient just made.
- Standard protocol. Upper and lower removable clear retainers, fabricated in-house from the digital scan taken at the removal visit. One set is included in the treatment fee for patients who finish at Freelove.
- Wear schedule. Nighttime wear for life. Teeth can shift at any age, and consistent night wear is what keeps the finished result finished.
- Fixed retainers, selectively. Dr. Freelove prefers removable retention but bonds a fixed retainer for cases that started with a large diastema, for splinting periodontally compromised teeth, or by patient request.
- The most common retention problem is simply not wearing the retainer. Replacements cost $200 each.
Retainer Options & Pricing
Retainers are quoted based on the option chosen and whether Freelove already has a digital model of the patient’s teeth. Patients who debonded at Freelove have their scan on file; walk-in patients typically need a new Aoralscan 3 scan at removal. All retainer options are 3D-printed or fabricated to a printed model produced in-house, and are typically ready in one to two days.
Removable Clear Retainer
Upper and lower set included for patients who finish treatment at Freelove. Fabricated in-house from the removal-day scan.
Replacement Retainer
Per retainer, made from the scan on file or a new scan if teeth have shifted.
Fixed (Bonded) Retainer
Used for large-diastema cases, periodontal splinting, or by patient request.
Braces Removal FAQs
Does getting braces off hurt?
No. Patients feel brief pressure as each bracket releases, closer to a dental cleaning than anything felt during active treatment. The whole appointment runs 30 to 60 minutes with no anaesthetic and no downtime. Patients prone to sensitivity can take an over-the-counter pain reliever 30 minutes beforehand.
How much does braces removal cost if treatment started at another office?
$500. The fee includes the full debonding and polishing procedure. For patients who started and finished treatment at Freelove, removal and one set of retainers are included in the treatment fee.
Can I walk in for braces removal?
No. Dr. Freelove schedules every visit in advance so Dr. Freelove has dedicated time for each patient. Patients should call the Kent or Sammamish office ahead to reserve a removal appointment.
What retainer is needed after removal?
The standard protocol at Freelove is upper and lower removable clear retainers, fabricated in-house from a digital scan. Dr. Freelove recommends nighttime wear for life, because teeth can shift at any age. Fixed retainers are reserved for specific cases such as a closed diastema or periodontal splinting.
Can Dr. Freelove finish treatment that started somewhere else?
Yes. Transfer patients are welcomed at both offices. Dr. Freelove evaluates the case with a CBCT scan, explains what remains to be corrected, and quotes the remaining treatment before anything is removed. Insurance verification and claims handling are complimentary.
What Happens After the Brackets Come Off
Most patients arriving on this page are within a few weeks of debonding. The next steps:
- Retention is the rest of treatment; see retainer options and pricing.
- If the case finished with aligners instead, see the Invisalign treatment overview.
- Looking back at the full braces treatment options? Browse the hub.
- Lost or broken retainer post-removal? See emergency care.
- Ready to schedule the removal appointment? Schedule through the consultation form or call or text directly.
Other braces services:
Ready to See the Finished Smile?
Whether finishing treatment at Freelove or coming from another practice, call or text to schedule. Removal appointments are typically scheduled within two to three weeks of confirmation that the teeth are ready.