Orthodontist and owner of Fredal Orthodontics
Meet Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr.
He treats children, teens and adults. He is the only doctor at his private practice.
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.
Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr., Orthodontic Specialist in Shelby Township. His dental degree (DDS) is from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. His master’s degree (MSD) is from Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics.
About Dr. Fredal
Growth and Early Development
Dr. Fredal recommends a first orthodontic evaluation for every child by age 7. It includes a 3D i-CAT CBCT scan (a 3D X-ray) to assess jaw growth, teeth still coming in and the airway.
When early treatment is indicated, he uses growth-guided approaches such as palatal expansion (widening the upper jaw). For airway concerns, he works with ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctors and myofunctional (mouth and face muscle) therapists.
Care for Children, Teens and Adults
Treatment options at Fredal Orthodontics include Damon Ultima self-ligating braces (brackets with a built-in clip that holds the wire), Invisalign and Invisalign Teen. They also include Phase 1 early treatment (a first stage for growing children) and MARPE expansion for adults. With MARPE, the expander is held by tiny temporary screws, placed outside the practice in coordination with a surgeon.
Beyond the Practice
Outside the office, Dr. Fredal loves spending time with his family. He also enjoys fishing, running, snowboarding and golfing.
Fast Facts
- DDS, University of Michigan School of Dentistry
- BS in Brain, Behavior and Cognitive Science, University of Michigan
- Master’s Degree (MSD) in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics
- Practicing orthodontics since 2018, including residency
- More than 2,000 orthodontic cases treated, across his orthodontic training and clinical practice
- Metro Detroit native
- HOUR Detroit Top Dentist, 2023 to 2026
Conditions and Treatments
Dr. Fredal treats crossbite (upper teeth inside the lower teeth), crowding (too little room for the teeth) and spacing (gaps between teeth). He treats overbite (upper front teeth that overlap the lower ones too much) and underbite (lower front teeth in front of the upper ones). He also treats open bite (front teeth that do not meet) and impacted canines (eye teeth stuck under the gum).
At the consultation, he screens for TMJ disorder (problems with the jaw joints and muscles), mouth breathing, tongue posture and oral habits. He refers you to an outside specialist when needed. Read about tongue thrust.
Options include braces ( metal) and Invisalign clear aligners. They also include airway-aware orthodontics and surgical orthodontics. An oral surgeon outside the practice does the surgery.
Appliances include palatal expanders and MARPE, plus Herbst and MARA appliances. He also fits reverse-pull facemasks, habit appliances and retainers. When a case needs them, he also uses TADs (temporary anchorage devices). They are tiny temporary screws, placed outside the practice.
Referring doctors can use the referral form or see the health partners page. For costs, see the braces cost calculator and insurance details.
Advanced Training, Applied to Your Treatment
Dr. Fredal did his orthodontic residency at Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics, a CODA-accredited program (CODA is the Commission on Dental Accreditation). There he earned his MSD, a master’s degree in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics (guiding how the jaws and face grow).
Dr. Fredal’s Clinical Philosophy
Dr. Fredal’s specialist training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics shapes every part of how he diagnoses and plans a patient’s treatment.
What Makes This Practice Different
The one thing Dr. Fredal says sets the practice apart is a fully digital orthodontic workflow. It merges i-CAT CBCT imaging with iTero digital scans for 3D diagnosis and treatment planning.
With the merged scans, he evaluates more than the crowns of the teeth (the parts you can see). He also checks their roots, the bone around them, skeletal relationships (how the jaws relate to each other), the airway and facial structures.
A Clinical Decision Shaped by Training
Dr. Fredal evaluates the whole patient, not only how straight the teeth are. He looks at facial balance, skeletal relationships, growth and the bite. He also checks where the front teeth sit and how much of them shows, lip support and the smile arc (the curve of the upper teeth when you smile). The airway, gum and bone support, root position and long-term stability are part of it too.
He approaches treatment through macro-, mini- and micro-esthetics (how the result looks in the face, in the smile and tooth by tooth). He checks each tooth’s position against the face, the lips, the smile, the supporting bone and the opposing teeth, not only whether it looks straight.
These considerations can completely change his decisions. They include whether to expand, whether to remove teeth and whether to modify growth. They also include whether to use braces, Invisalign or both, and whether to recommend surgery or care with other specialists.
He sees specialist training as especially important in one decision: extraction (removing teeth) or no extraction. Crowding alone does not decide it. Dr. Fredal considers how treatment will affect the facial profile, lip support, the position of the front teeth, smile width, gum health, function and long-term stability.
His approach starts with careful diagnosis and conservative planning. When it is clinically appropriate, he aims to make room to straighten the teeth without removing healthy adult teeth. If teeth do need to come out, he recommends it only after a full evaluation. He first talks you through all the treatment options.
Straight teeth are only one part of the result. His goal is a healthy, functional bite and a smile in balance with the face, designed for long-term stability.
When Treatment Is Not Recommended
Sometimes Dr. Fredal recommends against orthodontic treatment. He also weighs when treatment should start. He evaluates growth, dental development, skeletal relationships and the goals of treatment to decide how to treat and when to begin.
On Pricing
Fredal Orthodontics publishes starting prices so families can plan before the first visit. The final fee depends on how complex the case is and whether extra appliances are needed. It does not change with how long treatment takes. At the consultation, Dr. Fredal reviews your 3D scan, and you get the exact treatment cost in writing before treatment begins.
The fees reflect the skill, time and personalized care that go into each case. Orthodontics is the practice’s specialty, not just one of many services it offers. As an orthodontic specialist, Dr. Fredal spent years in extra schooling and full-time specialty training. That training focused only on how to find, prevent and treat problems with how the teeth and jaws line up.
His Braces Workflow
For comprehensive braces cases, Dr. Fredal uses Damon Ultima and Damon System brackets. They are passive self-ligating brackets with lightweight shape-memory wires (wires that return to a set shape). He uses DIBS AI software to plan the treatment and the bracket positions in 3D. Custom indirect bonding trays then carry those planned positions to the teeth.
Schedule Your Consultation
New patients get a free consultation with Dr. Fredal to discuss their orthodontic needs, treatment options, timelines and financial options. Patients transferring from another orthodontist pay a $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here. Second opinions are free. A return consultation before you start is also free, unless you missed one as a no-show; then it is $100.
To request a consultation, call/text (586) 544-4440 or use the scheduling link on the website.
Awards & Recognition
- HOUR Detroit Top Dentist, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026
Professional Memberships
Dr. Fredal is a member of these professional organizations:
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- Michigan Dental Association
- Michigan Association of Orthodontists
A Metro Detroit Dental Family
Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr. grew up in metro Detroit. He comes from a long line of general dentists, with more than 65 years of service in Macomb County. Dr. Fredal followed in their footsteps as an orthodontist, and he continues their tradition.
He has a passion for the patient experience. Whether he is caring for children, teens or adults, he is dedicated to making sure you are treated like family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Fredal
What are Dr. Fredal’s qualifications?
He is an orthodontic specialist. He earned his dental degree (DDS) at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. His master’s degree (MSD) in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is from Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics. Dr. Fredal has practiced orthodontics since 2018, counting his orthodontic residency and clinical training, and has treated 2,000 orthodontic cases.
Does Dr. Fredal personally see every patient?
Yes. Dr. Fredal personally conducts every consultation. Fredal Orthodontics is a private, single-doctor practice owned by its orthodontist. Dr. Fredal personally plans and supervises every patient’s treatment, and he directs every orthodontic visit. You see the same orthodontist from your consultation to the end of treatment.
What does the free consultation include?
For new patients, the consultation is free. It includes a 3D CBCT scan on the i-CAT FLX V17, an iTero digital scan, digital photos, Dr. Fredal’s personal evaluation of the complete records, personalized treatment plan and the exact treatment cost in writing. You can also go over your financing options. If you are moving from another orthodontist, the fee is $250, credited toward treatment if you start here.
What technology does Dr. Fredal use in the office?
Dr. Fredal uses an i-CAT FLX V17 for 3D CBCT imaging and an iTero Lumina digital scanner. A 3D CBCT scan is taken at every new-patient consultation. The office also has a SprintRay 3D printer, which prints the models used to form retainers in the office. Between visits, patients can text photos and questions to the team through Weave. The team reviews them during business hours.
Does Dr. Fredal accept new patients from outside of Shelby Township?
Yes. Fredal Orthodontics is in Shelby Township. It serves families in Washington Township, Romeo, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy and the surrounding communities. Its service area includes Macomb Township, Utica, Ray Township, Bruce Township and Armada as well.
You can also have a virtual consultation. Patients moving from another orthodontist are welcome too. Their consultation fee is $250, credited toward treatment if they start here.
Does Dr. Fredal come from a family of dentists?
Yes. Dr. Fredal grew up in metro Detroit and comes from a long line of general dentists, with more than 65 years of service in Macomb County. He followed in their footsteps, and he continues their tradition as an orthodontic specialist in Shelby Township.
Meet Dr. Fredal in Person
Book a free consultation to meet Dr. Fredal. He sees you himself at every consultation. He goes over your full records with you. You can also ask about community discounts.
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.