Metal Braces in Kent and Sammamish, WA
Comprehensive metal braces at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design.
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Cameron Freelove, DDS, MS · Last updated
Who Treats You
Metal braces at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design are placed and adjusted by an orthodontic specialist, board-certified by the ABO. You see the same doctor at every appointment.
Cameron Freelove
Orthodontist
Dr. Freelove personally bonds each bracket, adjusts each wire, and checks your final result. 2,000+ completed orthodontic cases.
The Brackets Used at Freelove in Kent and Sammamish
Not every metal bracket is the same. Bracket precision, base bond strength, slot tolerance, and surface finish all affect how predictably teeth move and how comfortable the brackets feel against lips and cheeks. Dr. Freelove selected KLOwen (twin, self-ligating, and clear options) for Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design deliberately.
Why the Practice Chose KLOwen custom digital metal braces
Dr. Freelove chose KLOwen because it delivers twin, self-ligating, and clear options within one custom digital system. Each bracket prescription is designed from the patient’s own CBCT and intraoral scans, so the final bite is planned before the first bracket is bonded. Chairside that shows up as fewer repositioned brackets, less appointments, and a more predictable finish.
KLOwen custom digital metal braces
Selected for custom prescription, digital treatment planning, and clinical predictability through the full treatment cycle.
Generic Stainless Steel Brackets
Commodity brackets most offices use. Lower upfront cost, but slot tolerance and bracket positioning can vary. Higher profile brackets tend to irritate cheeks more.
How Metal Braces Work in Kent and Sammamish
Metal braces move teeth by applying continuous, controlled force. A bracket bonded to each tooth grips the archwire. As the wire tries to return to its programmed shape, it pushes and pulls each tooth toward the target position. The wire is where most of the treatment happens.
Are Self-Ligating Metal Brackets Better?
Freelove offers both twin and self-ligating KLOwen metal brackets. Dr. Freelove does not claim superior results with self-ligating brackets over twin brackets. In certain cases they provide better ease of use for the provider and staff, so the choice is a practical one made case by case, not a promise of faster treatment.
-
Free Consultation
Shining Aoralscan 3 digital impressions. Bite exam, options discussion, cost estimate.
-
Braces Placement
Brackets bonded, first wire placed. About 60-90 minutes. Pick your first band colors.
-
Adjustments
Every 8-12 weeks. Wire changes, progress checks, new band colors. Your doctor at every appointment.
-
Removal + Retainers
Braces off, teeth polished, retainers fabricated in-house on 3D-printed models.
Treatment timeline: 12-18 months standard. 18-24 months complex. Phase 1: 6-12 months.
Pick Your Colors at Every Visit
Metal braces use elastic ties (ligatures) that hold the wire in the bracket. These come in dozens of colors, and you pick new ones at every adjustment. The color combinations shown are examples; you can choose any available colors at each visit. Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-shade ties rather than colored elastics, so colors are a metal-braces-only feature.
Do Colored Bands Affect Treatment?
Color choice is purely cosmetic: the elastic tie holds the wire the same way whatever the shade, so patients can pick freely. Freelove stocks a wide assortment of colors, including two-tone bands that combine two colors in the same tie, with new picks at every adjustment visit.
Color Options
Popular Combinations in Kent and Sammamish
from school colors and holiday themes to two-tone bands that combine two colors in a single tie
Hidden
Clear + pearl
Holiday
Red + green
July 4th
Red + white + blue
Stealth
Silver + gray
Classic
Black + gold
Metal Braces vs Clear Braces vs Clear Aligners
Dr. Freelove recommends braces more often in moderate-to-complex cases because they give stronger control over bite correction, tooth rotation, and vertical positioning. The deciding factor is which system gives the best control for your specific problem, not which looks nicer.
| Factor | Metal Braces | Clear Ceramic | Clear Aligners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Phase 1 (Kids) | $3,050 | $3,050 | – |
| Visibility | Visible | Tooth-colored | Nearly invisible |
| Bracket System | KLOwen (twin, self-ligating, and clear options) | KLOwen Clear | Removable trays |
| Treatment Time | 12-18 months | 12-18 months | 12-18 months (if compliant) |
| Compliance? | No, 24/7 | No, 24/7 | Yes, 20-22 hrs/day |
Metal Braces Cost in Kent and Sammamish
Metal braces are the most affordable braces option at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design. Prices below are published so you know what treatment costs before your consultation, most orthodontic offices will not give you a number until you walk in. Dr. Freelove gives you an exact fee at your free consultation.
Comprehensive
Ages 12+. 12-18 months. Full range $5,000 to $7,000 by case complexity.
Phase 1 (Kids)
Early interceptive. 6-12 months.
Phase 1 Aligners
Aligner option for early interceptive cases.
Monthly Payment
In-House Financing 0% financing options available. $300 down.
CareCredit Down
With approved credit.
Pay-in-Full
HSA/FSA accepted.
Community discounts: Military 5% off · Teacher 5% off · Family 5% off. One per patient.
Insurance for Metal Braces
Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design accepts all major PPO orthodontic plans and files claims on the patient’s behalf. Typical orthodontic coverage reduces out-of-pocket cost by $1,000 to $2,000 depending on the plan’s lifetime orthodontic maximum.
HSA and FSA pre-tax dollars are accepted. The practice verifies insurance benefits before treatment starts, so every family knows the exact out-of-pocket cost before signing a contract.
Living with Metal Braces
What Foods to Avoid With Metal Braces
For patients in braces, Dr. Freelove recommends avoiding hard, crunchy, and sticky foods. Examples include ice, jolly ranchers, and taffy.
The general rule: hard foods that can snap a bracket off, ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, nuts, raw carrots (cut into small pieces instead), corn on the cob (cut it off the cob), and apples (slice them). Sticky foods that pull brackets loose, taffy, caramels, and gummy candy. Everything else is fine.
Pain and Discomfort
The first three to five days after placement are uncomfortable. Teeth feel sore and pressure-sensitive. Lips and cheeks take about a week to fully adjust. After that, adjustment visits cause mild soreness for a day or two.
For pain management, Dr. Freelove recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
What to Do When a Bracket Breaks
A broken bracket is rarely a true emergency. Patients should call the office during regular hours so the team can prepare for the repair, and cover any spot that irritates the cheek with orthodontic wax in the meantime. If a bracket comes off, keep it and bring it to the visit so it can be re-secured.
Broken Bracket or Wire Poking
A broken bracket is not an emergency. If a bracket comes loose but the wire stays in place and nothing pokes you, cover it with orthodontic wax and call or text during office hours. A wire sticking out can be pushed down with a pencil eraser or clipped with sterilized nail clippers as a last resort. For true emergencies, such as trauma, a bracket embedded in tissue, or severe pain, call the office during office hours; messages left after hours are returned the next business day.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Metal Braces?
Metal braces are the most versatile orthodontic appliance. They can correct almost any bite problem in any age group, from Phase 1 kids with crossbites to adult patients in their 70s correcting long-standing crowding. Dr. Freelove typically recommends metal braces first when:
- The case involves complex tooth rotation or vertical movement
- You want to pick band colors (kids and teens especially enjoy this)
- Your lifestyle would make aligner compliance difficult (frequent snacking, forgetfulness)
- You have extraction cases requiring controlled space closure
- You want maximum predictability, braces work 24/7 without requiring patient discipline
Metal Braces FAQ
How much do metal braces cost in Kent and Sammamish?
Metal braces at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design start at $5,000 comprehensive and $3,050 Phase 1 (children). In-House Financing from $199/month with 0% financing options available, no credit check. for same-day starts. Cost calculator →
What brackets does Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design use?
KLOwen custom digital metal braces. Dr. Freelove uses KLOwen because it lets him customize the bracket prescription and digitally plan tooth positions before treatment begins. It offers metal twin, metal self-ligating, and clear bracket options to suit different clinical needs and patient preferences. This fits his approach of planning around each patient’s facial esthetics, bite, and dental anatomy rather than using the same prescription for everyone.
How long do metal braces take?
Standard comprehensive: 12-18 months. Complex: 18-24 months. Phase 1: 6-12 months. Dr. Freelove gives you a specific timeline at your free consultation.
Can I choose the color of my metal braces?
Yes. Dozens of colors are available at every adjustment (every 8-12 weeks). Popular: school colors, holiday red-and-green, July 4th red-white-blue, festival purple-teal, stealth silver-gray, beach sky-blue-gold.
What foods should I avoid with metal braces?
Hard foods: ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, nuts. Cut raw carrots into small pieces. Cut corn off the cob. Slice apples instead of biting into whole ones. Sticky foods: avoid taffy, caramels, gummy candy. Everything else is fine, including meat, pasta, bread, cooked vegetables, and soft fruits.
What do I do if a bracket breaks?
A broken bracket is not an emergency. If the wire stays in place and nothing pokes you, cover it with orthodontic wax and call or text during office hours. A wire sticking out can be pushed down with a pencil eraser. For true emergencies (trauma, a bracket embedded in tissue, severe pain), call the office during office hours; messages left after hours are returned the next business day.
Are metal braces better than Invisalign?
Depends on your bite. Metal braces give stronger 3D control, first recommendation for complex cases (bite correction, rotation, vertical, extractions). Invisalign works for crowding, spacing, and mild-moderate issues with 20-22 hr/day compliance. Your consultation determines which fits your case. Invisalign details →
Ready to Start Metal Braces?
Free consultation includes digital impressions and your treatment plan with Dr. Freelove.