Metal Braces in Shelby Township, MI
Orthodontic specialist Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr. treats children, teens and adults with Damon Ultima metal braces. Every new-patient consultation includes a free CBCT scan (a 3D X-ray scan).
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.
Who Treats You
Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr. is the only orthodontist at Fredal Orthodontics. He conducts every consultation himself. He also plans and oversees every treatment from start to finish. You see the same orthodontist throughout treatment, and he directs every orthodontic visit.
Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr.
Orthodontic Specialist
Dr. Fredal has treated more than 2,000 orthodontic cases throughout his orthodontic training and clinical practice.
His specialist training shapes how he diagnoses and plans each case. He looks at the whole patient. That includes the balance of the face, how the jaws relate and grow, and the bite and airway. It also includes the gums and bone, root position and long-term stability.
The Brackets Used at Fredal Orthodontics in Shelby Township
Metal braces at Fredal Orthodontics use the Damon System, with Damon Ultima brackets.
For comprehensive treatment (Phase 2), Fredal Orthodontics uses Damon Ultima braces only. For Phase 1 (early) treatment, it uses traditional twin brackets, which hold the wire with small elastic ties.
How Damon Brackets Hold the Wire
Damon brackets are self-ligating. Each bracket holds the archwire, the wire that runs through all the brackets, without an elastic tie around it.
Damon Ultima brackets
Passive self-ligating metal brackets, used with lightweight shape-memory wires and a broad archform (the curved shape of the wire along the teeth).
Clear Ceramic and Lingual Braces
Fredal Orthodontics does not offer clear ceramic braces, because Damon Ultima does not come in a clear version at this time. Lingual braces, which sit behind the teeth, are not offered either.
How Metal Braces Work in Shelby Township
Every treatment plan at Fredal Orthodontics is built from a 3D CBCT scan and an iTero digital scan. Dr. Fredal merges the two scans for 3D diagnosis and treatment planning.
Digital Planning and Indirect Bonding
For comprehensive braces cases, Dr. Fredal uses DIBS AI software to plan the treatment and the bracket positions in three dimensions. The brackets are then placed with indirect bonding. They are set on a custom 3D-printed transfer tray instead of freehand on each tooth. Dr. Fredal checks each bracket position digitally before bonding.
-
1
Free Consultation
A free i-CAT FLX V17 3D CBCT scan, an iTero Lumina digital scan and clinical photographs. Dr. Fredal reviews the records with you. Then he gives his treatment recommendation and the exact treatment cost in writing.
-
2
Braces Placement
Your brackets are bonded to your teeth. In comprehensive treatment, this is done with the custom transfer tray.
-
3
Adjustments
Adjustment visits are every 6 to 8 weeks.
-
4
Removal + Retainers
The team takes your retainer scan on the day your braces come off.
Treatment timeline: many comprehensive cases take about 12 to 18 months. Dr. Fredal gives you your own estimate after your diagnostic evaluation.
Braces Colors at Fredal Orthodontics
Colored bands are offered in most colors, and the chart below shows some of them. Children in Phase 1 treatment wear twin brackets with elastic ties, so they pick their colors at their visits.
Damon Ultima brackets, used for comprehensive treatment, hold the wire without ties. Dr. Fredal usually suggests leaving them off, because the brackets are designed to work without them. If colors matter to your teen or to you, the office can add colored ties to Damon Ultima brackets on request.
Color Options
Popular Combinations in Shelby Township
Two color combinations are popular with patients at Fredal Orthodontics: Detroit Tigers colors and Detroit Lions colors.
Detroit Tigers
White + orange + blue
Detroit Lions
Blue + white
Metal Braces vs Clear Aligners
Fredal Orthodontics offers metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners at the same starting fee. For Dr. Fredal, the choice between them depends on where the teeth should sit relative to the face, lips, smile, supporting bone and opposing teeth.
He typically recommends braces for severe deep bites (upper front teeth that cover too much of the lower ones) and significant spacing (gaps between teeth). Some treatment plans use both.
Dr. Fredal may start with braces for the most challenging tooth movements, then switch to Invisalign for the remaining alignment and finishing. Examples of those movements are severe rotations, significant deep bites and other complex corrections.
This hybrid treatment is not needed for every patient. Dr. Fredal decides case by case whether to recommend it. It is included in the treatment fee.
| Factor | Metal Braces | Clear Aligners |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $5,280 | $5,280 |
| Phase 1 (early treatment) | From $2,980 | From $3,480 (Invisalign First) |
| What You Wear | Damon Ultima brackets | Invisalign aligners |
| Removable? | No, bonded to the teeth | Yes, trays come out to eat and drink |
| Office Visits | Every 6-8 weeks | Every 10-12 weeks |
| Daily Wear | All the time | 20-22 hours a day for adults |
Metal Braces Cost in Shelby Township
Fredal Orthodontics publishes starting prices so families can plan with confidence before their first visit. Your fee depends on the complexity of your case. It does not change with how long treatment takes, and it includes every appliance your case needs.
Comprehensive
Fee levels by case complexity: $5,280, $6,880 and $7,175.
Phase 1 (Kids 7+)
Starting price for Phase 1 (early) treatment with braces.
Phase 1 Aligners
Invisalign First, the aligner option for Phase 1.
Monthly Payment
In-house financing starts at $179 a month, with 0% interest and no credit check. The down payment is $750 for comprehensive braces or $500 for Phase 1, with plans of up to 30 months. Payment amounts vary based on treatment costs, down payment and financing terms.
Cherry Down
The lowest advertised down payment with Cherry, a third-party financing partner.
Financing
Third-party financing through CareCredit is also offered.
Pay-in-Full
5% by cash, check or ACH, or 3% by credit card, on your out-of-pocket portion. HSA/FSA accepted.
Community discounts: Military $250 off · First Responder $250 off · Healthcare $250 off · Teacher $250 off · Family $250 off · Student $250 off. One per patient. All discounts
The pay-in-full discount may be combined with an eligible community discount. Community discounts also apply to your out-of-pocket portion, the part you pay after insurance.
Insurance for Metal Braces
Fredal Orthodontics is in network with Delta Dental PPO. For the other PPO plans the practice accepts, the team files your claims on your behalf as a courtesy. Insurance pays an average of $1,500 per patient.
The team takes your insurance card when you book. You get your benefits verification in writing, and an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost before treatment begins. Insurance details
Living with Metal Braces
What Foods to Avoid With Metal Braces
Dr. Fredal asks patients with braces to avoid anything hard, chewy, sticky or crunchy. Examples are Starburst, caramel, peanuts and popcorn.
Pain and Discomfort
For discomfort, Dr. Fredal says Tylenol can be used as needed, following the recommended dosing instructions.
Broken Bracket or Wire Poking
If a bracket breaks or a wire pokes, call/text the office or text a photo and your question through Weave. The clinical team reviews messages during business hours and replies with next steps. The team helps decide whether the problem needs attention right away or can safely wait until your next scheduled visit.
If your child has discomfort and cannot come in during patient hours, orthodontic wax can be applied to the area for temporary relief. If a wire is poking or causing significant irritation, you may carefully clip its end with clean nail clippers until the team can see your child.
For current patients, the comfort repair is included at no extra charge, and so is re-bonding a bracket that comes off. After hours, current patients can call/text the main line, and the team usually responds within 24 hours.
Playing Sports With Metal Braces
Fredal Orthodontics does not make custom sports guards. For sports, the practice recommends a Shock Doctor orthodontic mouthguard.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Metal Braces?
Fredal Orthodontics treats patients as young as 7 and accommodates patients with special needs. Whether metal braces are right for your case is part of Dr. Fredal’s recommendation at your consultation.
He evaluates growth, dental development, skeletal relationships and your goals to decide how to treat and when to start. Sometimes he recommends against treatment. Metal braces patients at the practice include:
Children from age 7, in Phase 1 treatment with braces
Teens and adults, in comprehensive treatment
Patients who start in clear aligners and need to switch to braces, at no extra charge
Patients with severe deep bites or significant spacing, for whom Dr. Fredal typically recommends braces
Metal Braces FAQ
How much do metal braces cost in Shelby Township?
Comprehensive treatment with metal braces at Fredal Orthodontics costs $5,280, $6,880 or $7,175, by case complexity. The fee does not change with how long treatment takes. Phase 1 with braces starts at $2,980. In-house financing starts at $179 a month, with 0% interest and no credit check. The down payment is $750 for comprehensive braces or $500 for Phase 1. Cost calculator
What brackets does Fredal Orthodontics use?
Fredal Orthodontics uses the Damon System, with Damon Ultima brackets, for comprehensive treatment. They are passive self-ligating brackets, so each bracket holds the wire without an elastic tie. They are used with lightweight shape-memory wires. Phase 1 (early) treatment uses traditional twin brackets with elastic ties. Clear ceramic braces are not offered, because Damon Ultima does not come in a clear version at this time. Lingual braces are not offered either.
How long do metal braces take?
Many comprehensive cases at Fredal Orthodontics are completed in about 12 to 18 months. Dr. Fredal gives you your own treatment-time estimate after your diagnostic evaluation. Your new-patient consultation covers your treatment options, timeline and financial options. Your fee stays the same however long treatment takes.
How often are adjustment visits with metal braces?
Adjustment visits for metal braces at Fredal Orthodontics are every 6 to 8 weeks. Between visits, every patient can check in through Weave by texting photos and questions to the team. The clinical team reviews them during business hours and replies with next steps, so a problem can be handled before your next visit.
What does the metal braces fee include?
The metal braces fee at Fredal Orthodontics includes every appliance your case needs. Elastics (small rubber bands) are included, and so are bite turbos (small bite blocks bonded to the teeth) when your case needs them. For current patients, comfort and emergency visits during patient care hours cost nothing extra.
What do I do if a bracket breaks?
Call/text the office, or send a photo of the problem through Weave. The team helps decide whether it needs attention right away or can safely wait until your next scheduled visit.
If your child has discomfort and cannot come in during patient hours, orthodontic wax can be applied for temporary relief, and a poking wire may be carefully clipped with clean nail clippers until the team can see your child. Current patients pay nothing extra for the repair.
Are metal braces better than Invisalign?
It depends on your case, and Dr. Fredal gives his recommendation at your free consultation. Both start at $5,280. He typically recommends braces for severe deep bites and significant spacing.
Some plans use both: braces first for the most challenging tooth movements, such as severe rotations or significant deep bites, then Invisalign to finish. It is not needed for every patient and is included in the treatment fee. Invisalign details
Ready to Start Metal Braces?
Book a free new-patient consultation with Dr. Fredal in Shelby Township.
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.