Middletown is the largest township in Monmouth County. From the bayshore neighborhoods of Belford, Leonardo, and Port Monmouth at the north end to Lincroft and River Plaza at the south, the township covers a lot of geography and a lot of family stages. Whatever part of Middletown you live in, this page covers what we offer for orthodontic care, how to get to us, and what to expect at a first visit.
Orthodontic Care for All of Middletown Township
MHR Orthodontics is at 20 White Rd, Suite F, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702, just south of Middletown across the township line. Because we are close to the southern edge of the township, drive times depend on which neighborhood you live in. Most Middletown addresses are between 8 and 18 minutes from our front door.
Drive Times from Major Middletown Neighborhoods
- Lincroft area:10 to 12 minutes via Newman Springs Road to Route 35 south
- River Plaza / Red Bank-adjacent:8 to 10 minutes via Route 35 south
- Tower Hill / Middletown municipal area:10 to 13 minutes via Route 35 south or Kings Highway
- Navesink area:12 to 15 minutes via Locust Avenue and Route 35
- Leonardo / Atlantic Highlands border:14 to 17 minutes via Route 36 west to Route 35
- Belford / Port Monmouth bayshore:17 to 20 minutes via Route 36 west
All routes have parking at the building. Door-to-chair time is short once you arrive.
Meet Dr. Martin Rabinovich, Board Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Rabinovich grew up in Marlboro, in central 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 cases through Children's Hospital Colorado.
Board certification is a voluntary credential. Roughly one in three practicing orthodontists in the US is board certified. The process requires submitting finished cases for peer review by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Rabinovich is a board-certified orthodontist 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 Middletown Patients
Traditional Metal Braces
The workhorse of orthodontics. Modern metal brackets are about half the size of older designs. Handles the widest range of cases, including complex bites that aligners cannot fully correct. Common choice for school-age children.
Clear Ceramic Braces
Same mechanics as metal braces but with tooth-colored brackets. Popular with teens at Middletown High School who do not want metal in school photos and with adults who want a less visible treatment.
LightForce 3D Printed Braces
Custom 3D printed clear brackets shaped to each tooth. Clear and low-profile. Often results in fewer adjustment visits compared to off-the-shelf brackets.
InBrace Lingual Braces
Hardware placed on the tongue side of your teeth, completely invisible from the front. A smart wire guides teeth between visits, so adjustment appointments are short and infrequent. A frequent request from adults in client-facing professions.
Invisalign and Spark Clear Aligners
Removable transparent trays that you swap every one to two weeks. Best suited for mild to moderate cases. Compliance is critical: aligners need to be in your mouth about 22 hours a day to work. We carry both Invisalign and Spark because each has tray-design strengths for different case types.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 Treatment Explained
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a strategy used when a child has issues that are better addressed at two different stages of growth rather than waiting until all the adult teeth are in. Middletown families with kids in the 7 to 10 age range hear about this often, so it is worth understanding the basics:
Phase 1 (interceptive treatment) happens between ages 7 and 10, when the child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth. The goal is to address things that get harder to fix later: severe crowding, narrow jaw, crossbite, thumb-sucking effects, or significant skeletal imbalances. Phase 1 treatment is often partial braces, expanders, or other appliances, and it usually lasts 9 to 18 months. After Phase 1, the child takes a break (often 1 to 2 years) while the remaining adult teeth come in.
Phase 2 (definitive treatment) happens later, usually between ages 11 and 14, once all the permanent teeth have erupted. This is the full braces or aligner phase that most people picture when they think of orthodontic treatment. Phase 2 is typically 12 to 24 months.
Not every child needs two phases. The majority of orthodontic patients only need a single phase of treatment as a tween or teen. The age-7 first evaluation is what tells us whether your child is a candidate for Phase 1 or whether we should wait and start treatment later. The first visit is free either way.
Insurance, Financing, and Cost
Braces costs vary by case, treatment type, and length. We run a benefits check on your insurance before the consultation so the conversation starts with your real out-of-pocket. 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 Middletown NJ
Our Middletown Dental Services Include:
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces in Middletown
Which part of Middletown is your office closest to?
Lincroft and River Plaza are closest (8 to 12 minutes via Route 35 south or Newman Springs Road). The bayshore neighborhoods of Belford, Leonardo, and Port Monmouth are farthest (17 to 20 minutes via Route 36 west). Most other Middletown addresses fall in the 10 to 15 minute range. All routes lead to Route 35 south into Shrewsbury and our office at 20 White Road.
What is Phase 1 vs Phase 2 orthodontic treatment?
Phase 1 (interceptive) treatment happens between ages 7 and 10, while a child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth. It addresses issues like crossbite, narrow jaw, or severe crowding that are easier to fix during active growth. Phase 1 usually lasts 9 to 18 months, then the child takes a break while the remaining adult teeth come in. Phase 2 (definitive) treatment is the full braces or aligner phase that happens between ages 11 and 14, after all permanent teeth are in. Most kids only need a single phase, but a free age-7 evaluation tells us which path makes sense for your child.
Will my child need to wear a retainer after braces?
Yes. Retainers are part of every orthodontic treatment plan, no exceptions. Teeth have memory and will try to drift back toward their original positions if nothing is holding them in place. The first few months after braces come off, retainers are worn most of the time. After that, the typical recommendation is nighttime-only wear, indefinitely. Patients who follow the retainer plan keep their results for life. Patients who stop wearing retainers usually see noticeable shifting within a few years. We include the first set of retainers in the treatment fee; replacements are available if a retainer is lost or broken.
Are after-school appointments available?
Yes. Late-afternoon slots between 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. are scheduled for kids and teens whose school day ends earlier. These slots fill up faster than other times of day, so booking your child's next appointment at the end of the current visit is the best way to get a convenient time. For families with multiple kids in treatment, we try to schedule siblings back-to-back when possible.
What counts as an orthodontic emergency?
Real orthodontic emergencies are rare. The most common after-hours situations are: a loose bracket that is rubbing or has detached, a wire poking the cheek, a lost retainer, or significant discomfort that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relief. For most of these, we will see you for a short repair visit within a day or two during business hours. For a poking wire, you can usually push it out of the way with the back of a spoon or cover the end with the dental wax we provide at your bonding appointment. Call the office number and follow the prompts for after-hours guidance.
Schedule Your Free Braces Consultation
Wherever you live in Middletown, we are 8 to 20 minutes from your door. Call (732) 704-5474 or request an appointment online. The consultation is free, takes 45 to 60 minutes, and ends with a clear treatment recommendation and a real cost number. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday appointments by request.
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