Old Bridge is about 25 to 30 minutes south of our Shrewsbury office, depending on which part of the township you live in and what time of day you drive. That is a real ask for orthodontic treatment, which runs 18 to 30 months on average with visits every six to eight weeks. So the honest first question is: why would an Old Bridge family pass closer orthodontists to come here?
This page answers that, then covers what we offer, what it costs, and what to expect at a first visit.
Worth the Drive: Why Old Bridge Families Choose MHR Orthodontics
Old Bridge sits in Middlesex County, so technically our practice in Shrewsbury is outside your county. We are still one of the closer orthodontic specialty practices for the southeastern part of Old Bridge near Laurence Harbor and the Route 35 / Garden State Parkway corridor. Three reasons Old Bridge families regularly tell us they made the drive:
Board-certified specialty training. Any licensed dentist can technically offer braces. A board-certified orthodontist has completed dental school plus a two to three year full-time orthodontic residency, and has voluntarily submitted finished cases for peer review by the American Board of Orthodontics. Roughly one in three practicing orthodontists holds this credential. Dr. Rabinovich is among them.
The full menu of modern orthodontic options. Metal braces, clear ceramic braces, LightForce 3D printed custom braces, InBrace lingual braces, and clear aligners from both Invisalign and Spark. Practices that carry one or two options will recommend one of those options. We carry the full range, so the recommendation is driven by your case.
Specialty-only focus. This is an orthodontics-only practice. The team works with braces and aligners full time. The chairs, the imaging equipment, the scheduling system, and the treatment plans are all built for orthodontic care.
Meet Dr. Martin Rabinovich, Board Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Rabinovich grew up in Marlboro, in Monmouth County. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences at Rutgers University, his Doctor of Dental Medicine at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, and his orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedics residency plus Master of Science in Dentistry at the University of Colorado. His residency included extensive work with cleft lip and palate patients through Children's Hospital Colorado.
He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the New Jersey Dental Association, and the Monmouth-Ocean County Dental Society.
Braces and Aligner Options for Old Bridge Patients
Traditional Metal Braces
The most flexible option. Modern brackets are about half the size of older designs. Handles the widest range of cases, including complex bite issues that aligners cannot fully correct.
Clear Ceramic Braces
Same mechanics as metal braces but with tooth-colored brackets. Popular with teens at Old Bridge High School and Carl Sandburg Middle School who want a more subtle look during school photos.
LightForce 3D Printed Braces
Custom 3D printed clear brackets shaped to each tooth. The custom fit often results in fewer adjustment visits and a more precise outcome. Particularly useful for patients with longer drive times because fewer adjustments mean fewer trips.
InBrace Lingual Braces
Hardware placed on the tongue side of the teeth, completely invisible from the front. The smart wire guides teeth between visits, so adjustments are infrequent and short.
Invisalign and Spark Clear Aligners
Removable transparent trays that you swap every one to two weeks. Best for mild to moderate cases. The trade-off is compliance: aligners need to be in your mouth roughly 22 hours a day to work. For Old Bridge families, aligners have a practical advantage beyond cosmetics: progress check visits can sometimes be spaced further apart, reducing the number of trips over the course of treatment.
Driving to Our Office from Old Bridge
Most Old Bridge addresses are 25 to 30 minutes from our office. The route depends on which side of the township you live on:
- From central Old Bridge / Route 9 corridor:Route 9 south to Route 18 south, then Route 35 south into Shrewsbury. Drive time: 27 to 30 minutes off peak.
- From southeast Old Bridge / Laurence Harbor area:Route 35 south the full way. Drive time: 22 to 25 minutes (the shortest route from Old Bridge).
- From west Old Bridge / closer to Spotswood:Route 18 south, then Route 35 south. Drive time: 28 to 32 minutes.
Rush hour adds 10 to 15 minutes to any of these routes. The office has on-site parking, so once you arrive the chair-to-door time is short.
For Families Transferring from Another Orthodontist
A specific note for Old Bridge patients who started treatment elsewhere and are considering a transfer:
If you began braces or aligner treatment at another office and want a second opinion or a transfer of care, we accept transfer patients. The process is straightforward: bring your existing treatment records (X-rays, scans, the original treatment plan), schedule a consultation, and we will review where things stand and whether continuing on the current plan makes sense, modifying it makes sense, or starting fresh makes sense. The consultation is free.
Transfer patients have a separate fee structure from new patients (you pay only for the remaining treatment, not the full treatment fee).
Insurance, Financing, and Cost
Braces costs depend on case complexity, treatment type, and length. We run a benefits check on your insurance before the consultation. We are in network with several major dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits.
For the portion not covered by insurance, we offer no-interest monthly payment plans through the office. No credit application required for the in-house plan.
Why People Love Us
A Favorite Choice for Braces in Old Bridge, NJ
Families in Old Bridge choose MHR Orthodontics because braces care feels simple, organized, and easy to understand from the start. We clearly explain treatment options, timelines, and costs, so there are no surprises along the way.
Patients also value the consistent support throughout treatment. Appointments stay on schedule, progress is closely monitored, and questions are always encouraged. This dependable, patient-first approach helps make braces feel comfortable and manageable from the first visit to the final smile.
Orthodontist in Old Bridge NJ
Our Old Bridge Dental Services Include:
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces in Old Bridge
How long is the drive from Old Bridge — is it worth it?
The drive is real: 25 to 30 minutes from most parts of Old Bridge to our office in Shrewsbury, longer during rush hour. The honest answer to whether it is 'worth it' depends on what you are looking for. If you want the cheapest possible braces from the closest provider, no, drive to your nearest option. If you want a board-certified orthodontist with the full range of modern treatment options and a specialty-only practice, the drive is what you trade for that. Many of our Old Bridge patients chose us specifically because they wanted board certification and the LightForce, InBrace, or Spark options that smaller practices do not offer.
Do you accept patients transferring from another orthodontist?
Yes. Patients who started treatment elsewhere and want to transfer their care (because they moved, because they were not happy with their original provider, or because they want a second opinion) can come in for a consultation. Bring whatever records your original orthodontist provided (X-rays, scans, treatment plan). We will review where you are in treatment, evaluate whether the current plan still makes sense, and propose any changes if needed. Transfer patient fees are based on the remaining treatment, not the full original fee.
What if I have a crown, implant, or large filling — can I still get braces?
Usually yes, with planning. Crowns and large fillings can hold an orthodontic bracket as long as the bond is solid (the bonding agent is slightly different from the agent used on natural enamel, but it works). Dental implants are different: an implant does not move with orthodontic force because it is fused to the bone. If you have an implant in a position that needs to move, the treatment plan has to work around it. Sometimes this means moving the surrounding teeth and leaving the implant in place; other times it means a more limited treatment plan. The consultation includes a review of all existing dental work to plan the case accordingly.
Will Invisalign work if I grind my teeth at night?
Yes, and the aligners can actually help. Many people with grinding habits (bruxism) find that wearing aligners at night functions similarly to a night guard, providing a protective layer between the upper and lower teeth. The trays may wear down faster than they would otherwise, but you change to a new tray every one to two weeks anyway, so this is rarely a practical problem. For severe grinders, we sometimes recommend a separate night guard after treatment, since the final clear retainer is thinner than a dedicated night guard.
How does my insurance work if I'm in a different county?
Dental insurance does not work on county lines the way some health insurance plans do. If you have a PPO plan, you can typically see any in-network provider regardless of which county you live in. If you have an HMO plan, you are usually restricted to a specific network of providers. Before your consultation, call us with your insurance details and we will run a benefits check — that will tell you exactly what is covered and whether we are in network for your specific plan. The fact that you are in Middlesex County while our office is in Monmouth County does not affect insurance coverage in itself.
Schedule Your Free Braces Consultation
Call (732) 704-5474 or request an appointment online. The consultation is free, takes 45 to 60 minutes, and ends with a clear treatment plan and a real cost. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday appointments by request.
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