klowen

KLOwen Orthodontics is a Richardson, Texas-based digital technology company serving licensed orthodontists with a full custom digital orthodontic solution for fixed appliances. The system combines a custom bracket portfolio (including metal and a 3D-printed clear bracket option, and a custom metal self-ligating solution launched in 2024), proprietary cloud-based treatment planning software, a dedicated digital lab, and custom 3D-printed indirect bonding (IDB) trays. Doctors submit cases with pre-loaded preferences, collaborate with the digital lab through in-software messaging, review and approve digital setups via a guided checklist, and track case status and shipments in real time; the lab then selects custom brackets for the approved setup and designs and prints IDB trays that are shipped to the practice.

The company positions its offering against conventional bracket systems, citing clinically proven results of 31% reduced treatment time, 35% fewer appointments, and an average of 7.1 appointments saved per patient. Earlier company materials described the product line under the Stride Custom Braces name and reported that custom braces achieve results in 20–40% less time than the typical 27 months and 19 office visits associated with traditional braces. The product is made available exclusively to licensed orthodontists.

Leadership includes founder, chairman and president Dr. Brandon Owen, DDS, MS; CEO Ryan Elmore (joined January 2023, previously General Manager of iTero Restorative for the Americas at Align Technology); COO Jerry Metz (joined July 2021, previously COO of OraMetrix); CFO Jay Widdig (joined November 2021, previously CFO of OraMetrix); VP of Marketing Paige Asady (November 2023); Director of Special Markets Jason Clark (February 2023); and Director of Sales Joel Arens (January 2023).

Founding story

KLOwen was founded in 2019 by practicing orthodontist and inventor Dr. Brandon Owen, DDS, MS, who set out to address the one-size-fits-all approach of conventional braces and the disconnect he saw between treatment planning and execution in fixed appliance therapy — including repositioning appointments, inconsistent bonding, and high doctor time per patient. Owen holds multiple patent families in custom orthodontic appliance design and received the American Association of Orthodontists' inaugural Ortho Innovator Award. The company name is in memory of the founder's son, Keller Logan Owen.

Business model

KLOwen sells its custom digital orthodontic system directly to orthodontic practices, bundling custom-manufactured brackets and 3D-printed indirect bonding trays produced by its own digital lab with access to cloud-based treatment planning software. Case work flows through the software from submission to lab setup, doctor approval, and shipment of appliances to the practice.

Revenue derives from orthodontist practices ordering custom appliance cases — custom brackets and 3D-printed IDB trays produced per patient by the KLOwen digital lab — with treatment planning software supporting case submission, review and ordering.

Traction

The company reports thousands of custom smiles created and an average of 7.1 appointments saved per patient, with clinically proven results of 31% reduced treatment time and 35% fewer appointments. It cited increasing adoption across North America at the time of its 2024 Series B and announced a launch in Australia in a June 15, 2026 news post.

Latest developments

In October 2024 the company closed a Series B of up to $25.5 million led by InLight Capital to fund commercial expansion, following the 2024 launch of its custom metal self-ligating solution. In 2025 it co-hosted the Custom + Connected 2025 continuing education event in Richardson, Texas with remote monitoring provider Grin. A company news post dated June 15, 2026 announces a launch in Australia.