Atlantic Highlands sits on the bay between Sandy Hook and the Navesink River, with the kind of coastal character that defines the bayshore: marinas, the Henry Hudson Trail, Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, and the Seastreak ferry to lower Manhattan. Our office in Shrewsbury is about 20 minutes south of central Atlantic Highlands. This page covers what we offer, how to get to us, and what to expect at a first visit.
Coastal Orthodontic Care for Atlantic Highlands Families
MHR Orthodontics is at 20 White Rd, Suite F, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702, south of Atlantic Highlands via Route 36 west to Route 35. The drive is about 20 minutes off peak. We treat patients of every age, from children at the age-7 first orthodontic evaluation through adults seeking braces or aligners for the first time.
Atlantic Highlands families bring some specific considerations to orthodontic treatment: many spend significant time on or near the water (sailing, surfing, swimming, marine work), commute to New York City via the Seastreak ferry, and value the kind of straightforward, low-drama professional services that fit the borough's character. The practice is built around those expectations.
Meet Dr. Martin Rabinovich, Board Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Rabinovich grew up in Marlboro and trained at Rutgers University, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, and the University of Colorado, where he completed his orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedics residency and earned a Master of Science in Dentistry. His residency at Colorado included extensive work with cleft lip and palate cases through Children's Hospital Colorado.
He is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (a voluntary credential held by roughly one in three practicing orthodontists) and 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 Atlantic Highlands 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.
Clear Ceramic Braces
Same mechanics, tooth-colored brackets. Popular with teens at Henry Hudson Regional High School who want a more subtle look.
LightForce 3D Printed Braces
Custom 3D printed clear brackets shaped to each tooth. Custom fit often results in fewer adjustment visits and a more precise outcome.
InBrace Lingual Braces
Hardware placed on the tongue side of the teeth, completely invisible from the front. A common request from adults who commute to New York via the ferry for client-facing professional roles.
Invisalign and Spark Clear Aligners
Removable transparent trays. Best for mild to moderate cases. For Atlantic Highlands patients who spend significant time on the water, removable aligners have a practical advantage: you can take them out for marine activities and put them back in afterward.
Driving to Our Office from Atlantic Highlands
- From central Atlantic Highlands / First Avenue / harbor area:Route 36 west through Highlands and Sea Bright, then south on Route 35 to Shrewsbury. Drive time: 18 to 22 minutes.
- From the Mount Mitchill / Navesink area:Navesink River Road or Locust Avenue south to Route 36, then west. Drive time: 20 to 25 minutes.
Rush hour traffic on Route 36 around the Sea Bright bridge can add significant time during weekday commute windows. Parking is at the building.
Catching Orthodontic Issues Early
Atlantic Highlands has a young-family demographic balanced with retirees, and a fair number of patients fall into the 'I didn't know we should be looking at orthodontics yet' category. A few quick principles worth knowing:
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7. About 80% of kids that age will not need treatment yet, but the visit catches the small number of cases (severe crowding, crossbite, jaw asymmetry, thumb-sucking effects) where early intervention prevents bigger problems later. The visit is free.
Some issues are easier to spot than others. Crowding and gaps are visible to any parent. But crossbite (where the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside them) can be subtle, and jaw asymmetry can be missed entirely until it becomes obvious in later teen years. The clinical evaluation catches these even when the child 'looks fine.'
Adult orthodontic treatment has expanded significantly. Half of US orthodontic patients are now adults. Issues that were considered 'too late' to treat a generation ago — adult crowding, midlife relapse from teenage braces, bite issues — are routinely treated now with the modern menu of options.
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. At the consultation, we quote a fixed total — no surprise add-ons during treatment. 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.
Orthodontist in Atlantic Highlands NJ
Our Atlantic Highlands Dental Services Include:
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces in Atlantic Highlands
How long is the drive from Atlantic Highlands?
Most Atlantic Highlands addresses are 18 to 22 minutes from our office. The most direct route is Route 36 west through Highlands and Sea Bright, then south on Route 35 to Shrewsbury and left on White Road. The Route 36 / Sea Bright Bridge corridor can be slow during weekday rush hour, adding 8 to 15 minutes.
Will salt air or water sports affect braces or aligners?
Salt air on its own does not damage braces or aligners. Saltwater swimming, surfing, and sailing are all fine with braces in place — the materials are designed to handle a wide range of conditions. The practical things to know: rinse your mouth with fresh water after saltwater exposure to keep salt from building up on brackets, and brush as usual at the end of the day. For aligners specifically, take them out before going in the water (saltwater can dry residue into the trays and affect fit), and rinse the trays in fresh water before putting them back in. For watersports involving impact (water skiing, kiteboarding), a sports mouthguard over the braces is recommended just as it would be for any contact activity on land.
Can teenagers keep swimming, sailing, and surfing during treatment?
Yes. Braces or aligners do not interfere with any normal water activity. For contact watersports (water polo, water skiing wipeouts, kiteboarding crashes), a custom mouthguard over the braces is a good idea. For the more typical Atlantic Highlands teen activities (swimming, sailing, surfing, paddleboarding), nothing special is needed beyond normal aftercare. Aligners come out before water activities and go back in afterward; braces stay put through everything.
What's the difference between a board-certified orthodontist and Smile Direct Club-style mail-order aligners?
Significant difference. Direct-to-consumer aligner companies (Smile Direct Club, Byte, and others) work without an in-person clinical exam. You take impressions yourself at home or in a kiosk, the company sends you a treatment plan, and you wear the aligners with no in-person supervision. The model works for very mild cases. It fails badly for anything beyond that, and there is no orthodontist examining your teeth, bite, or gums during treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists has issued multiple public statements about the risks. By contrast, a board-certified orthodontist examines your case in person, takes 3D scans and X-rays in office, develops a clinical treatment plan, and supervises every adjustment. Aligners from our office (Invisalign or Spark) cost more than DIY aligners, but you get a real clinical exam, a real treatment plan, and someone to call when something goes wrong. For complex cases or cases involving bite or jaw issues, DIY aligners cannot do the work safely at all.
Are there orthodontic problems we should worry about even if our child looks fine?
Yes, occasionally. The ones to know about: crossbite (the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth — can cause uneven jaw growth if left untreated in children); severe crowding hidden by baby teeth (sometimes only visible on X-ray); impacted canines (the canine teeth come in incorrectly, sometimes from the palate side, and need to be redirected); anterior open bite (the front teeth don't touch when biting down, often from thumb-sucking or tongue habits); and early loss of baby teeth (can cause adult teeth to drift into the empty space). None of these are guaranteed to need treatment, but they are all easier to fix early than late. The free age-7 evaluation catches them. If your pediatric dentist or family dentist has not specifically mentioned anything, that is a good sign, but a one-time orthodontic check is still worthwhile.
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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