Clear Aligners in Shelby Township, MI
Fredal Orthodontics offers Invisalign clear aligners (clear plastic trays you can take out) in Shelby Township, MI. Comprehensive (full) Invisalign treatment starts at $5,280.
Every Invisalign case is planned from a 3D CBCT scan (a 3D X-ray scan) and supervised by Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr., an orthodontic specialist. Your fee depends on how complex your case is. See Invisalign fee levels and payment options.
*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:
Who Plans and Monitors Aligner Treatment
Invisalign treatment at Fredal Orthodontics is personally planned, monitored, and adjusted by a specialist orthodontist, not delegated to a technician or left to a software-generated setup. At the consultation, Dr. Fredal evaluates your teeth, bite, and treatment goals to determine the appropriate level of Invisalign treatment and whether Invisalign or braces will give the most predictable and effective result for your case.
Dr. Thomas Fredal Jr.
Orthodontic Specialist
Dr. Fredal is the only orthodontist at Fredal Orthodontics. It is a private practice, and he owns it. He runs every consultation himself. He also directs every visit during treatment. He has treated more than 2,000 orthodontic cases throughout his orthodontic training and clinical practice.
Read about .
Invisalign vs Braces: How They Compare
How Fredal Orthodontics Approaches Braces vs Clear Aligners
Fredal Orthodontics offers Invisalign, Damon Ultima metal braces and a hybrid of the two. Across the practice, the split between braces and aligners is 50/50. Dr. Fredal recommends one after he reviews your complete records with you at the consultation. He typically recommends braces for severe deep bites (a large overbite) and significant spacing (large gaps between teeth).
The full Damon Ultima fee schedule is on the braces fees page.
| Factor | Invisalign | Damon Ultima braces |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive fee, by case complexity | $5,280, $6,880 or $7,175 | $5,280, $6,880 or $7,175 |
| How it looks | Clear trays | Metal brackets |
| Comes out to eat and drink | Yes | No, fixed to the teeth |
| Foods to avoid | None | Hard, chewy, sticky or crunchy foods |
| Office visits | Every 10 to 12 weeks | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
Who Is a Good Candidate for Clear Aligners in Shelby Township?
How Your Fit Is Decided
Dr. Fredal typically recommends braces for severe deep bites and for significant spacing. For other concerns, your consultation answers this question. Every patient is evaluated to see whether clear aligners are the best option. The evaluation looks at your bite, the tooth movements you need and your long-term goals.
Dr. Fredal looks at the whole patient, not only the teeth. That includes facial balance, how the jaws line up, growth, the bite, the airway, gum support, root position and long-term stability. These findings can change whether he recommends Invisalign, braces or both.
For adults, Dr. Fredal also considers whether the concern is mainly in the teeth or in the jaws. He weighs your dental history and existing dental work, and whether you can wear aligners consistently. Read about Invisalign for adults.
If you have active or concerning jaw-joint problems (TMD), orthodontic treatment does not start until a qualified specialist has evaluated and cleared you. Read about TMD screening and specialist referral.
Concerns Treated at Fredal Orthodontics
Whether aligners, braces or both fit your concern is decided at your consultation.
- Crowding (not enough room for the teeth to line up)
- Spacing (gaps between teeth)
- Overbite (upper front teeth that cover too much of the lower front teeth)
- Underbite (lower front teeth that sit ahead of the upper front teeth)
- Crossbite (upper teeth that sit inside the lower teeth when you bite)
- Open bite (front teeth that do not meet when you bite)
When Braces Are Part of the Plan
Hybrid treatment combines braces and Invisalign in the same treatment plan. It may start with braces for the most challenging tooth movements, such as severe rotations or significant deep bites (a large overbite). Treatment then moves to Invisalign for the remaining alignment and finishing stages.
Hybrid treatment is not necessary for every patient. Dr. Fredal decides case by case. If you start in aligners and need to switch to braces, the switch is made at no extra charge.
Complex Aligner Cases at Fredal Orthodontics
Some complex plans can include Invisalign. Open-bite treatment depends on the cause and severity of the bite problem. Depending on the patient, Dr. Fredal may use Invisalign, braces, posterior intrusion (moving back teeth further into the jawbone) or temporary anchorage devices (TADs, small temporary anchors in the bone). Read how he treats an open bite.
When jaw surgery is part of the plan, the orthodontic portion can use braces or Invisalign, when appropriate. Orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery are billed separately. The surgery, facility fees and anesthesia are billed by the surgeon and the hospital or surgery center. Read about jaw surgery and how it is billed.
Dr. Fredal does not place TADs himself. When a plan needs them, he refers the placement out. Read about TAD placement.
In Invisalign treatment, Dr. Fredal places any tooth-colored attachments your plan needs. He may remove, replace, reposition or add them between refinement rounds.
Every case at Fredal Orthodontics is diagnosed in 3D from a merged i-CAT CBCT scan and iTero digital scan (a 3D scan of your teeth). Dr. Fredal uses them to check the roots, the bone around them, how the jaws line up, the airway and the face, not only the crowns of the teeth (the parts you can see).
Dr. Fredal focuses on avoiding permanent-tooth extractions (removing teeth) whenever they can safely be prevented. Some cases may still need them. That decision is not based on crowding alone. Dr. Fredal considers how treatment will affect your facial profile, lip support, front-tooth position, smile width, gum health, function and long-term stability.
Whether jaw surgery should be part of the plan is decided case by case. If Dr. Fredal finds that the jaw problem cannot be appropriately addressed with orthodontic tooth movement alone, surgical orthodontic treatment may be discussed.
Wear Time, Compliance, and Staying on Track
Each set of aligners is worn for one week before you switch to the next set. Your aligners come out when you eat and drink, including coffee or tea. For adults, the recommended wear time is 20 to 22 hours each day.
Compliance at Fredal Orthodontics
Invisalign Teen aligners have compliance indicators: blue dots that fade with wear. Dr. Fredal uses them for teens. Teens also get a talk about wearing their aligners as directed.
Between visits, you text photos and questions to the team through Weave. Every patient uses it. The clinical team reviews your messages during business hours and replies with next steps. That way, concerns such as aligners that aren’t fitting can be addressed between appointments.
When a Patient Falls Behind on Wear
If you lose an aligner, contact the office. If extra aligners become necessary because of inconsistent wear, additional fees may apply, as explained under refinements below. Patients who do not wear their aligners as directed must sign compliance forms.
How Clear Aligner Treatment Works
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1
Free Consultation + CBCT
Your consultation includes a 3D CBCT scan, an iTero digital scan and clinical photos. Dr. Fredal reviews the complete records with you. He then gives you his treatment recommendation and the exact treatment cost in writing. Allow 50 minutes for the consultation, including 20 minutes with Dr. Fredal. See what to bring to your consultation.
New-patient consultations and second opinions are free. A return consultation before you start is free too, unless you missed a consultation as a no-show; then it is $100. If you are transferring from another orthodontist, the consultation is $250, credited toward treatment if you start here.
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2
Digital Treatment Plan
Dr. Fredal designs your plan from your 3D scans and photos. He plans around your teeth, bite, roots, supporting bone and facial balance. Your custom aligners are then designed and made. They are not 3D-printed in the office.
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3
Aligner Delivery
At the delivery visit, Dr. Fredal checks how your aligners fit and places any attachments your plan needs: small tooth-colored shapes bonded to some teeth. He also shows you how to put in, take out and care for your aligners. For adults, this visit is typically scheduled about four weeks after the consultation, and you leave with your first series of aligners.
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4
Progress Checks Every 10-12 Weeks
At each visit, Dr. Fredal monitors your progress, confirms that your teeth are moving as planned and makes any needed adjustments.
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5
Refinement Rounds
When the planned aligner set finishes, teeth are usually close to the target, but may not perfectly match the digital plan. Refinement trays are used to correct any remaining discrepancies. Invisalign refinements are included in the treatment fee. Most Fredal Orthodontics patients need one to three refinement rounds, based on case complexity, to reach an ideal clinical result.
This applies to refinements that are part of your original treatment plan. When additional fees may apply is explained under refinements below.
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6
Retention
Retainers are custom appliances worn after treatment ends. For Invisalign patients, Fredal Orthodontics scans your teeth the day your attachments are removed and orders Vivera retainers (a brand of clear retainer).
For adult Invisalign patients, Dr. Fredal confirms that the teeth have reached their ideal positions before he delivers the retainers. He also reviews how to care for them.
Refinements and Retention: What Is Included
What the Refinement Policy Covers
Dr. Fredal explains that refinements are a normal part of Invisalign treatment. Teeth do not always respond exactly as the digital plan predicts, so extra aligners may be needed to fine-tune tooth position and finish treatment.
During active treatment, refinements are included when clinically necessary to achieve the planned result. Refinements that are part of your original treatment plan are included in the treatment fee.
Additional fees may apply when factors outside the original plan make more care necessary. That can mean extra treatment, aligners, appliances, scans or refinements. Examples are inconsistent aligner wear, missed or delayed appointments, lost or damaged aligners or appliances, or other forms of non-compliance. Any fee is decided case by case and discussed with you or the responsible party.
Fees may also apply when you ask for a change outside the original plan that calls for extra refinement treatment. One example is temporarily removing attachments for a wedding or other special event.
Between refinement rounds, Dr. Fredal may remove, replace, reposition or add attachments. This depends on the movements needed in the next stage. Different attachment designs help control different kinds of tooth movement, so the attachment setup may change as treatment goes on.
Dr. Fredal’s goal for each refinement is to keep improving tooth position, bite and overall finishing until the best clinical result possible has been achieved. The Invisalign page explains the full refinement policy.
Retainers After Treatment
Invisalign patients receive Vivera retainers, ordered as described in step 6. A replacement retainer is $225 per arch, or $450 for an upper and lower pair.
Fredal Orthodontics also offers Retainer Insurance, a paid program for replacement retainers. It costs $790 and runs for 7 years. With the program, each new retainer is a $40 copay, and you can receive one new set per quarter.
If you choose a fixed retainer (a thin wire bonded behind the teeth) when one is not clinically necessary, a lab-made fixed retainer is $750 per arch.
When a patient cannot wait for the lab, Fredal Orthodontics can make a clear Essix retainer in the office the same visit. Read about retainer types and replacement costs.
How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost in Shelby Township?
Invisalign: from $5,280 (comprehensive)
Comprehensive Invisalign treatment has three fee levels, from the simplest case to the most complex: $5,280, $6,880 and $7,175. Your fee is set by the complexity of your case. It does not change with how long treatment takes.
Invisalign Teen starts at $5,280. For children, Phase 1 (early) treatment with Invisalign First starts at $3,480, with a $500 down payment on the in-house plan. Phase 1 and Phase 2 (a later, second stage) are not sold together. Read about early treatment for children.
What the Fee Covers at Fredal Orthodontics
- Every appliance your case needs
- Refinements that are part of your original treatment plan
- Hybrid treatment with braces, when Dr. Fredal recommends it
- Elastics (small rubber bands)
- Bite turbos on the back teeth (small raised pads bonded to the teeth), when prescribed
- Progress visits every 10–12 weeks
- Weave check-ins between visits, with no monthly fee
Additional fees may apply when extra care is needed because of factors outside your original plan, as explained under refinements above. Retainer Insurance is a paid program, separate from your treatment fee.
Financing
The in-house payment plan has 0% interest and no credit check. For comprehensive Invisalign, the down payment is $750. Plans run from 12 to 30 months, and monthly payments start as low as $179. Your payment depends on your treatment cost, down payment and financing terms. If cost is a concern, the practice will work with you to find a financial option that fits your budget.
Fredal Orthodontics also offers financing through Cherry and CareCredit. The lowest Cherry down payment it advertises is $189.99.
If you pay in full, you get 5% off when you pay by cash, check or ACH (an electronic bank transfer), or 3% off by credit card. The discount comes off your out-of-pocket portion, the part you pay after insurance. You can also use funds from a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), which hold money set aside for health care costs.
Community discounts of $250 are available for military service members and veterans, teachers and school staff, first responders, healthcare workers, students and additional family members in treatment. One community discount may be applied per patient, and ID is required. It comes off your out-of-pocket portion and may be combined with the pay-in-full discount.
Insurance
When you book, the team takes your insurance card, and you receive your benefits verification in writing. Fredal Orthodontics is in network with Delta Dental. For the other PPO (preferred provider organization) plans it accepts, it files claims on your behalf as a courtesy. Before treatment begins, the team gives you an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. Insurance details.
In-Office Aligners vs. Mail-Order Aligners
Dr. Fredal’s View on Mail-Order Aligners
Dr. Fredal does not recommend mail-order orthodontic treatment without appropriate in-person diagnosis and ongoing professional supervision. In his view, treatment involves more than lining up the parts of the teeth you can see. It requires evaluating the bite, roots, supporting bone, gum health and skeletal relationships (how the jaws line up).
At Fredal Orthodontics, treatment begins with an in-person visit and merged i-CAT CBCT and iTero digital scans. The scans are used for 3D diagnosis and planning. In-office treatment here includes a comprehensive evaluation of your diagnostic records by a specialist orthodontist, and:
- A CBCT scan taken on the practice’s i-CAT FLX V17
- In-person, monitored visits every 10–12 weeks with Dr. Fredal
- Photo and message check-ins through Weave between visits
- After-hours and weekend emergency messages, which the team usually answers within 24 hours. Emergencies are not seen in the office after hours: see emergency care.
Before & After: Clear Aligner Results in Shelby Township
Individual results vary.
Clear Aligner FAQ
What clear aligner brands does Fredal Orthodontics offer?
Only Invisalign. Fredal Orthodontics uses Invisalign for all of its clear aligner treatment, including Invisalign Teen for teens. For children, it is an Invisalign First provider and treats Phase 1 (early treatment) cases with aligners. It does not offer Angel Aligners.
One reason Dr. Fredal prefers Invisalign is esthetics (how the aligners look). If aligners do not fit your case, the practice also offers Damon Ultima metal braces.
Can aligners fix my bite or just straighten teeth?
It depends on your bite. Dr. Fredal plans treatment around your whole bite and face, not only straight teeth. At your consultation, he recommends Invisalign, Damon Ultima braces or a hybrid of the two, based on your case. For an open bite, for example, he may use Invisalign or braces, depending on the cause and severity of the bite problem.
What if aligners aren’t working for my teeth?
Text the team through Weave. Between visits, you can send photos and questions, and the clinical team replies with next steps during business hours. At progress visits, Dr. Fredal confirms that your teeth are moving as planned and makes any needed adjustments. If you start in aligners and need to switch to braces, the switch is made at no extra charge.
Are mail-order aligners the same as in-office aligners?
Dr. Fredal does not recommend mail-order orthodontic treatment without appropriate in-person diagnosis and ongoing professional supervision. In-office aligners at Fredal Orthodontics include a full diagnostic evaluation, imaging, a treatment plan Dr. Fredal personally designs and oversees, and monitored visits every 10 to 12 weeks.
How long does clear aligner treatment take?
Many adult Invisalign cases at Fredal Orthodontics are completed in about 12 to 18 months. Treatment time varies with case complexity, the movements required, growth and patient compliance (how well you follow your wear instructions). Dr. Fredal gives you an individualized treatment-time estimate after your diagnostic evaluation.
How many hours a day should adults wear clear aligners?
For adults, the recommended wear time is 20 to 22 hours each day. Your aligners come out when you eat and drink. Each set is worn for one week before you switch to the next set. Patients who do not wear their aligners as directed must sign compliance forms.
Ready to See If Aligners Are Right for You?
Your new-patient consultation is free. It includes a 3D CBCT scan and Dr. Fredal’s treatment recommendation. You also get the exact treatment cost in writing. A virtual consultation is also available for an initial assessment. Treatment itself begins with an in-person visit.
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.