Kids Orthodontist and Kids Braces in Shelby Township, MI
Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr. is an orthodontic specialist. He advises a first visit by age 7, and that visit is free with a CBCT scan (a 3D X-ray).
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.
Fredal Orthodontics serves patients across Macomb County and Metro Detroit including:
When Should Your Child See an Orthodontist?
Dr. Fredal recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Seven is also the youngest age he treats. Each evaluation includes a 3D i-CAT CBCT scan. Dr. Fredal uses the scan to assess your child’s jaw growth, erupting teeth and airway.
He is an advocate of Phase 1 (early) treatment. When early treatment is indicated, he uses growth-guided approaches such as palatal expansion (widening the upper jaw). The aim is to address problems while a child is still developing.
In Dr. Fredal’s view, starting treatment before the timing is right is one of the biggest mistakes in orthodontics. He looks at growth, dental development, the way the jaws line up, and the goals of treatment. That tells him how to treat, and also when treatment should begin.
Your Child’s First Visit
Dr. Fredal personally conducts every consultation. The visit takes 50 minutes, including 20 minutes with him. The team takes your insurance card when you book, and the practice asks for a photo ID at the new-patient consultation.
What the Consultation Includes
- A free 3D CBCT scan
- An iTero digital scan and clinical photographs
- A screening of the bite, jaw joints and muscles
- An airway screening
- A personal review of the complete records with Dr. Fredal
- His treatment recommendation
- The exact treatment cost in writing
How the Plan Is Built
Every treatment plan at Fredal Orthodontics is built from a 3D CBCT scan and an iTero digital scan. That way, each patient’s care is designed around their face, bite and long-term stability.
Dr. Fredal personally plans and supervises every patient’s treatment in his private, single-doctor practice. He evaluates the whole patient, not only the teeth, including facial balance, growth, the bite and the airway.
Children’s Orthodontic Pricing
Fredal Orthodontics prices Phase 1 (early treatment) and comprehensive (full) treatment separately. It does not sell the two phases together.
| Treatment | Starting Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (Early) Treatment | $2,980 | From age 7 |
| Phase 1 With Invisalign First | $3,480 | Phase 1 with clear aligners |
| Comprehensive Damon Ultima Braces | $5,280 | Full treatment with braces |
| Comprehensive Invisalign or Invisalign Teen | $5,280 | Full treatment with clear aligners |
Comprehensive treatment has three fee levels, from the simplest case to the most complex: $5,280, $6,880 and $7,175. Your child’s fee depends on how complex the case is. It does not change with how long treatment takes.
The Phase 1 fee reflects custom 3D-printed appliances, 3D imaging with an airway assessment, and treatment planning focused on each child’s growth.
Treatment Options for Children
Every recommendation at Fredal Orthodontics is based on your child’s individual growth pattern, bite and orthodontic needs. Dr. Fredal sometimes recommends against treatment.
Braces for Kids
Dr. Fredal treats children and teens with Damon Ultima braces. Most Phase 1 treatments at Fredal Orthodontics combine a palatal expander with limited braces. In some cases, Dr. Fredal recommends an expander alone. Learn about braces.
Invisalign First and Invisalign Teen
Dr. Fredal is an Invisalign First provider and treats Phase 1 cases with aligners. He treats teens with Invisalign Teen. Learn about Invisalign.
Palatal Expander
Dr. Fredal uses a palatal expander (an appliance that widens the upper jaw). Parents turn the expansion screw at home once a day. A typical case needs 28 to 42 days of active turning. The practice also offers the Invisalign Palatal Expander (a removable, 3D-printed expander). Fredal Orthodontics was the first in Michigan to offer it.
Reverse-Pull Facemask
Dr. Fredal treats growing children with facemask therapy, using a reverse-pull facemask (a removable frame worn on the face, connected by elastics to an appliance on the upper teeth). He asks a child to wear it 8 to 10 hours a day, at night. A typical facemask phase runs 3 to 6 months before he re-evaluates. The treatment fee includes every appliance a case needs, including the facemask.
Habit Appliances
Dr. Fredal fits habit appliances. The practice does not offer myofunctional therapy (exercises that retrain the muscles of the tongue, lips and face) in-house. When supervised retraining is indicated, it refers patients to trusted local myofunctional therapists. Read about tongue thrust.
Airway Concerns
At the consultation, Dr. Fredal uses the CBCT scan to evaluate your child’s upper airway in three dimensions. He also reviews the history for signs such as habitual mouth breathing, snoring, and restless or disrupted sleep. This screening does not diagnose sleep apnea.
When Dr. Fredal finds airway concerns, he coordinates with ENT (ear, nose and throat) and myofunctional specialists. For concerning signs, he refers patients to an ENT, typically Dr. Thottam.
Built for Kids
The office has a space for children. It also welcomes patients with special needs. Families will find:
An I-Pad Bar in the kids’ area.
A kid-friendly waiting area with a kids’ play area, free coffee and drinks, and free Wi-Fi.
Easy access: the entrance, parking and restroom are wheelchair-accessible, and on-site parking is free.
Photo check-ins between visits: every patient can text photos and questions to the team through Weave, at no charge. The clinical team reads them during business hours and replies with next steps.
Colored bands: braces patients can choose from almost every color.
3D printing in the office: a SprintRay printer makes models on-site for retainers (appliances that hold the teeth in place after treatment) and whitening trays. Essix (clear) retainers can often be ready the same visit.
Technology Used for Your Child’s Care
Free i-CAT FLX V17 3D Scan
Fredal Orthodontics takes a 3D CBCT scan on the i-CAT FLX V17 at every new-patient consultation, at no charge. A USB copy of the scan, with data processing, costs $450.
iTero Lumina Digital Scanner
The iTero Lumina makes a digital scan of your child’s teeth. It replaces goopy impression material with detailed 3D images.
Insurance & Financing for Children’s Treatment
Fredal Orthodontics is in network with Delta Dental PPO. For the other PPO plans the practice accepts, the team files your claims as a courtesy. You get your benefits verification in writing, along with a clear estimate of out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.
Discounts come off your out-of-pocket portion, after insurance pays. One $250 community discount applies per patient.
- Family Discount: $250 off for each additional child who starts treatment
- In-House Financing: 0% interest, no credit check, monthly payments starting as low as $179
- Cherry Financing: down payments as low as $189.99
- CareCredit: third-party financing
- Pay-in-Full Discount: 5% by cash, check or ACH, or 3% by credit card. It applies to Phase 1 too and can be combined with a community discount.
- HSA/FSA Accepted
For a specific plan, see the insurance page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces for Kids
How much do kids braces cost at Fredal Orthodontics?
Phase 1 (early) treatment at Fredal Orthodontics starts at $2,980, or $3,480 with Invisalign First. Comprehensive (full) braces and comprehensive Invisalign each start at $5,280, with higher levels of $6,880 and $7,175 for more complex cases. At the free consultation, you get Dr. Fredal’s treatment recommendation and the exact cost in writing.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
By age 7. Dr. Fredal recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by that age, and 7 is also the youngest age he treats. The consultation is free for new patients and includes a 3D CBCT scan. Dr. Fredal uses the scan to assess your child’s jaw growth, erupting teeth and airway.
How long does my child’s treatment take?
Many comprehensive (full) cases at Fredal Orthodontics are completed in about 12 to 18 months. Dr. Fredal gives you an individual time estimate after the diagnostic evaluation. During treatment, braces patients come in every 6 to 8 weeks, and Invisalign patients every 10 to 12 weeks.
Do we pay for Phase 1 and Phase 2 separately?
Yes. Fredal Orthodontics does not sell Phase 1 and Phase 2 together, so each phase has its own fee. Phase 1 starts at $2,980. If your child goes on from Phase 1 to comprehensive (Phase 2) treatment, $500 comes off the Phase 2 fee.
Does Healthy Kids Dental cover kids braces?
Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental program generally does not cover orthodontic treatment. Fredal Orthodontics aims to make treatment as affordable and accessible as possible. The practice does not participate with Medicaid or state insurance plans. Families whose child has a qualifying medical condition can check with Children’s Special Health Care Services.
Other ways to pay include 0% in-house financing, Cherry, CareCredit, and HSA or FSA funds. The team will help you find a financial option that fits your budget.
Can we pay for kids braces monthly?
Yes. Fredal Orthodontics offers 0% in-house financing with no credit check. Monthly payments start as low as $179, and plans run up to 30 months. The down payment is $500 for Phase 1 and $750 for comprehensive braces or Invisalign. Payment amounts vary based on treatment costs, down payment, and financing terms.
Book Your Child’s Free Consultation
Book online or call/text to set up your child’s free first visit. Each additional child who starts treatment gets a family discount of $250.
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.