Kids Orthodontist in Kent and Sammamish, WA
Custom Digital Braces, Shaped to Every Tooth Dr. Freelove believes that children should have their first orthodontic visit by age 7, and earlier for growth, airway, or functional concerns. He treats only when treatment is genuinely needed, and monitors everyone else through a complimentary growth-observation program at the Kent and Sammamish offices.
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Cameron Freelove, DDS, MS · Last updated
When Should Your Child See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7, though some children may need to be seen earlier. At that age, your child has enough permanent teeth for Dr. Freelove to identify developing problems, and enough remaining growth to guide the jaw in the right direction.
Phase 1 treatment, when needed, typically happens between ages 7 and 10, though some children may need phase 1 treatment at younger or older ages. Dr. Freelove reserves it for specific problems: crossbite, harmful oral habits, tooth impaction caused by crowding, airway concerns when the upper jaw is underdeveloped, and cases co-managed with myofunctional therapy. When waiting for the permanent teeth would achieve the same result, he waits.
Most children evaluated at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design do not need immediate treatment. Many enter the Complimentary Growth-Observation Program and are monitored until the right time.
What the Free Age-7 Evaluation Includes
A digital intraoral scan, airway screening with sleep and breathing questions, and a personal exam by Dr. Freelove. Families leave with a clear answer: treat now, monitor at no charge, or no treatment needed.
What Makes Pediatric Evaluation at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design Different
Every child’s evaluation at Freelove includes a digital intraoral scan and airway screening, not just a look at the teeth. The medical questionnaire covers mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep quality, and, when CBCT is clinically indicated, Dr. Freelove evaluates the airway anatomy shown on the scan. When concerns appear, care is coordinated with ENT physicians, myofunctional therapists, or the child’s pediatric dentist.
The Sammamish office is co-located with Lake Sammamish Kid’s Dentistry, the pediatric dental practice of Dr. Annikka Freelove, Dr. Freelove’s wife, so families can coordinate a child’s dental and orthodontic care in one place. Dr. Freelove’s continuing education includes dedicated coursework in Phase 1 arch development and airway-focused interceptive treatment.
Dr. Freelove is Invisalign First certified and offers Invisalign and Angel Aligners for children, a system with integrated aligner buttons that reduce the need for bonded buttons and reduce emergency visits. Angel has extended aligner trimlines that allow for more predictable tooth movement.
When Dr. Freelove Recommends Waiting, or No Treatment at All
Not every child who could benefit from treatment needs to start early. When a child is not ready, Dr. Freelove places them in observation rather than starting appliances. And when treatment would do more harm than good, for example while gum disease or a very high cavity risk is uncontrolled, treatment is not recommended until those conditions are managed, in coordination with the child’s dentist.
Complimentary Growth-Observation Program
When a child is not yet ready for treatment, the family is enrolled in the complimentary growth-observation program at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design. Dr. Freelove personally evaluates the child at each recall visit, not a technician, not an assistant, monitoring the specific factors that determine when (and whether) treatment should begin.
What Is Monitored at Each Recall
- Eruption patterns and timing of permanent teeth
- Jaw growth velocity and direction
- Airway development and breathing patterns
- Oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrust)
- Space analysis for incoming teeth
- Bite relationship changes between visits
How It Works
After the free initial consultation with a complimentary digital scan, Dr. Freelove recommends a follow-up interval based on the clinical findings, typically every 6 to 12 months. Each observation visit is free for as long as the child is in the program.
When Dr. Freelove identifies that the right time has come, treatment begins with full parental agreement. Most children monitored at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design do not end up needing Phase 1 intervention at all.
Children’s Orthodontic Pricing
Phase 1 treatment at Freelove starts at $3,050 with braces and $4,500 with clear aligners, and expander treatment runs from about $3,500 to $4,500. Comprehensive treatment starts at $5,000, with the same case fee for braces or clear aligners. Flexible in-house plans start at $300 down and $199 per month.
| Treatment | Starting Price | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 Braces | $3,050 | Early intervention |
| Phase 1 Invisalign / Clear Aligners | $4,500 | Early intervention |
| Comprehensive Braces (Phase 2) | $5,000 | Comprehensive orthodontic care |
| Comprehensive Clear Ceramic (Phase 2) | $5,000 | Comprehensive orthodontic care |
| Comprehensive Invisalign / Clear Aligners (Phase 2) | $5,000 | Discreet orthodontic care |
Use the free calculator for a personalized estimate:
When Phase 1 Treatment Is Actually Needed
Dr. Freelove does not recommend early treatment for every child. Most kids are better served by waiting until their permanent teeth come in and doing one comprehensive round. Phase 1 is recommended only when a specific problem will get worse if treatment waits:
Functional Crossbite
A posterior crossbite causing the jaw to shift to one side. Correcting this early prevents asymmetric jaw growth that becomes surgical later. Usually treated with a palatal expander.
Narrow Upper Jaw
A maxilla too narrow for the permanent teeth. Early expansion works with the growing suture and may avoid MARPE or surgery later.
Severe Crowding
When baby teeth need to be managed to make room for permanent teeth. Early space maintenance can prevent later extractions.
Class III (Underbite)
A lower jaw growing ahead of the upper jaw. Early reverse-pull facemask therapy can redirect growth and reduce or eliminate the need for surgery in the patient’s future.
Tongue Thrust or Thumb Sucking
Habits actively changing how the jaws develop. Addressed with exercises first, appliances only as last resort. See our tongue thrust protocol.
Mouth Breathing / Airway
Airway restriction resulting from inadequate upper jaw growth. Expansion can help increase nasal volume and reduce nasal airway resistance. See our mouth breathing and airway orthodontics programs.
If Early Treatment Will Not Change the Final Result…
…Dr. Freelove will tell you to wait. Children in the observation program are re-checked at no charge until the timing is right, and families are never pressured into treatment that would not change the final result.
When Comprehensive (Phase 2) Treatment Begins
Comprehensive treatment begins once the permanent teeth have erupted, and for many children that single round of treatment achieves everything early intervention would have. Because every case at Freelove is digitally planned from digital records and clinically indicated imaging, Dr. Freelove maps the final result before the first bracket or aligner is placed, which keeps treatment as efficient as possible.
Technology Used for Your Child’s Care
Shining Aoralscan 3 Digital Scanner
No goopy impressions. Same-day digital records taken during the exam. Results are shown on a screen so you see exactly what Dr. Freelove sees.
In-House 3D Printing
Retainers, models, and custom appliances printed in our own lab. Faster replacements and better fit than lab-fabricated alternatives.
Insurance & Financing for Children’s Treatment
Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design accepts all major PPO orthodontic plans and files claims on the patient’s behalf. Most family plans provide $1,500–$2,500 in lifetime orthodontic benefits per child, often applied to Phase 1 AND Phase 2 separately (depending on plan).
- Family Discount: 5% off each additional child in the same household
- In-House Financing: 0% financing options available, no credit check, monthly payments from $199/month with $300 down
- CareCredit: $0 down for approved credit
- Pay-in-Full Discount: 5% off
- HSA/FSA Accepted
See the insurance page for a specific plan, or use the cost calculator to estimate out-of-pocket with insurance applied.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Orthodontics
How much do kids braces cost at Freelove?
Phase 1 interceptive braces at Freelove start at $3,050. Comprehensive Phase 2 braces (when all the adult teeth are present) start at $5,000. Phase 1 is an early-intervention treatment that may reduce or eliminate the need for Phase 2 entirely; not every child needs Phase 1.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7, though some children may need to be seen earlier. By that age, the first permanent molars and adult incisors have erupted, which gives the orthodontist enough information to identify crossbites, severe crowding, or jaw-growth issues that benefit from early intervention. The evaluation at Freelove is free and does not commit the family to treatment.
How long does children’s orthodontic treatment take?
Phase 1 interceptive treatment typically takes 9 to 12 months. Comprehensive Phase 2 treatment typically takes 14 to 24 months. Some children only need comprehensive treatment (skipping Phase 1 entirely); others benefit from a short Phase 1 followed by a shorter Phase 2.
Does insurance cover kids braces?
Most family dental insurance plans with an orthodontic rider cover children’s braces, usually at 50% of the treatment fee up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500 to $3,500 per child. Freelove accepts all major PPO orthodontic plans and files claims on the patient’s behalf. The benefit is verified before treatment begins and the payment plan is built around what the plan actually pays.
Can we pay for kids braces monthly?
Yes. Freelove offers in-house 0% monthly financing from $199/month with $300 down. Family discounts are available when a sibling is also in treatment (5% off). HSA and FSA pre-tax funds can pay any portion of treatment costs.
Does every child get airway screening at Freelove?
Yes. Every new patient’s evaluation includes airway questions on the medical questionnaire, covering mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep quality, plus CBCT analysis of the airway when clinically indicated. When concerns are identified, Dr. Freelove coordinates with specialists such as ENT physicians and myofunctional therapists, and treatment is tailored to the patient’s airway condition if appropriate.
What happens if my child is not ready for treatment?
The child is enrolled in the complimentary growth-observation program. Dr. Freelove personally re-evaluates eruption, jaw growth, airway development, and oral habits at each recall visit, typically every 6 to 12 months, at no charge, until the right time to treat, if treatment is needed at all.
Can children be treated with clear aligners instead of braces?
Often, yes. Freelove offers Phase 1 clear aligner treatment when indicated, including Angel Aligners with integrated aligner buttons that reduce the need for bonded buttons. Dr. Freelove recommends braces when a child may struggle with aligner wear, since consistent full-time wear is what makes aligners work.
Will my child need a palatal expander?
Only when a specific problem calls for one, most often a crossbite or an upper jaw too narrow for the incoming permanent teeth or connected to an airway concern. Expander treatment at Freelove typically ranges from about $3,500 to $4,500 depending on the appliance, and digital scanning replaces goopy impressions in the expander workflow.
Areas We Serve
Freelove serves patients across King County from two offices.
Near the Kent office
Near the Sammamish office
More communities
- SeaTac
- Des Moines
- Federal Way
- Black Diamond
Free Evaluation for Children Age 7+
Includes a full clinical exam by Dr. Freelove and an honest recommendation, including the option to simply monitor. No deposit, no obligation. Family discount 5% off for each additional child.