Metal Braces

West Palm Beach & Wellington Braces

At Freedman & Haas Orthodontics, we know that a healthy, beautiful smile can make a big difference in your life. Metal braces are a popular, effective, and affordable orthodontic treatment option that can help you find the smile you’ve always wanted.

What Are Metal Braces?

Modern metal braces — smaller, smarter, and more comfortable than you remember

Today’s metal braces are a far cry from the bulky hardware of the past. High-grade stainless steel brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth, connected by a thin archwire that applies precise, controlled pressure to guide your teeth into alignment. Periodic adjustments — typically every 6 to 8 weeks — keep your treatment progressing on schedule.

What hasn’t changed is the reliability. Metal braces remain the gold standard for correcting a broad range of orthodontic issues, from mild crowding to complex bite problems that other treatment options simply can’t address as effectively.

How Metal Braces Work

Your treatment from first visit to final smile

Step 1 — Free consultation Dr. Freedman or Dr. Haas evaluates your teeth, bite, and jaw. You’ll leave with a clear picture of whether metal braces are the right option, an estimated treatment timeline, and a cost breakdown — all at no charge.

Step 2 — Digital records and treatment planning We take digital photographs, X-rays, and digital scans of your teeth. These records allow us to build a precise, personalized treatment plan before a single bracket is placed.

Step 3 — Brackets are bonded On your placement appointment, brackets are carefully bonded to each tooth and the archwire is threaded through. Most patients experience mild pressure in the first few days as teeth begin to respond.

Step 4 — Adjustment appointments Every 6 to 8 weeks, you’ll come in for a brief adjustment — your doctor checks progress, modifies the wire tension, and keeps your treatment on track. These visits are typically short (30 minutes or less).

Step 5 — Debonding and retention When your teeth have reached their final position, the brackets are removed and your teeth are polished. You’ll receive retainers to maintain your results — the most important step to protect everything you’ve worked toward.

Most patients complete treatment in 18 to 24 months, though timeline varies depending on case complexity and patient compliance.

What Metal Braces Can Treat

Metal braces are built to handle the full range — from straightforward to complex

Dr. Freedman and Dr. Haas use metal braces to treat:

• Crowded teeth — when teeth overlap due to insufficient jaw space
• Gapped teeth — spacing issues caused by tooth size, jaw development, or missing teeth
• Protruding teeth — front teeth that sit too far forward
• Overbite — upper front teeth that significantly overlap the lower front teeth
• Underbite — lower teeth that extend past the upper teeth when biting
• Crossbite — some upper teeth that sit inside the lower teeth
• Open bite — upper and lower teeth that don’t make contact when biting down
• Impacted teeth — teeth that haven’t fully erupted and need guided movement

Metal braces — particularly the Damon System — are especially effective for moderate to severe cases where the precision and sustained force of a fixed appliance is necessary. If you’ve been told your case is “too complex” for aligners, metal braces are likely your most reliable path to a stable result.

Metal braces for every age

Kids (ages 7–11): early intervention when it matters most

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 — not because treatment always starts then, but because certain jaw and bite issues are far easier (and less invasive) to correct while the jaw is still developing. When early treatment is indicated, Dr. Freedman and Dr. Haas use metal appliances as part of a Phase 1 plan to guide jaw growth and create the space needed for permanent teeth to come in correctly.
Catching problems early often reduces the scope of treatment needed in the teen years — and in some cases eliminates the need for extractions or surgery later on.

Teens: the most common time for braces — and the most rewarding

The teenage years are the ideal window for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Most permanent teeth are in place, the jaw is still responsive, and the results tend to be both faster and more stable than in adulthood.
Metal braces are also the most popular choice among teens — and colored elastics don’t hurt. At Freedman & Haas, teens get the full Damon System approach: fewer emergency visits, fewer adjustments, and less time in the chair overall.

Adults: it’s never too late — and you have more options than you think

Roughly one in five new patients at Freedman & Haas is an adult — and that number keeps growing. While adult treatment may take slightly longer than teen treatment (because the jaw is no longer growing), the outcomes are just as strong. Many adults choose metal braces specifically because they want the most powerful and reliable option available for correcting long-standing bite issues.

Lingual Braces

These metal braces rest on the back of your teeth instead of the front, making them virtually invisible from the outside.

While they can take a bit to learn how to properly clean and adjust, lingual braces are a discreet option for those who want to straighten their teeth without calling attention to the treatment process.

Benefits of Metal Braces

There are many benefits to using metal braces as an orthodontic treatment option. Some of the main benefits include:

• Powerful treatment: Metal braces are super efficient for correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues, including overcrowding, crooked teeth, and bite problems.
• Affordable cost: Traditional braces are cost-effective and widely available, making them accessible for many patients.
• Durability: Metal braces are strong, resistant, and long-lasting, so you can be sure that your investment in your smile will pay off over time.
• Personality: You can use colorful elastics to customize your brackets so that your braces reflect your personal style.

Who Should Get Metal Braces?

Metal braces are a fantastic option for patients of all ages who want to straighten their teeth. However, they may be particularly well-suited if you:

• Deal with major issues that require powerful corrective care
• Value an affordable option
• Aren’t interested in concealing treatment

At Freedman & Haas Orthodontics, we’ll work with you to determine the best treatment plan based on your individual needs and concerns. We offer a range of orthodontic treatment options, including metal braces, and we’re committed to providing personalized care that will help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

Why Freedman & Haas for braces 

Board-certified. Family-owned. Serving Palm Beach County for over 30 years.

There’s an important distinction between a general dentist who offers braces and a specialist who has spent their entire career studying, perfecting, and teaching orthodontic care. Dr. Freedman and Dr. Haas are both board-certified orthodontists — a voluntary credential earned through rigorous clinical examinations beyond standard licensing, held by fewer than half of all practicing orthodontists.

Dr. Freedman also serves as a clinical instructor at Palm Beach State College’s Dental Research Center, helping train the next generation of dental professionals. When you choose Freedman & Haas, you’re choosing orthodontists who don’t just practice at the highest level — they help set it.

With three locations across West Palm Beach, Wellington, and Indiantown, and more than 30,000 smiles completed, we’re one of the most experienced and established orthodontic practices in South Florida.