Braces remain the most proven and versatile orthodontic treatment available — and at Thrive Dental & Orthodontics in Frisco, they’re placed and managed by Dr. Nate and his team.
We offer metal braces, clear ceramic braces, and adult braces at our Frisco location. Free consultations are available — no commitment, no pressure. We use a 3D digital scanner so no goopy impressions are ever needed. And our Frisco office is designed to make every appointment genuinely comfortable — Netflix in every treatment room, an upscale lobby with coffee and drinks, and a kids’ lounge with a giant TV, PlayStation, and Nintendo Wii for siblings and younger patients.
We’re on the corner of Hillcrest and Rolater Road in east Frisco, near Lebanon High School and the Collin College Frisco campus. Book your free consultation or call (972) 371-0616.
Both are excellent options — and your orthodontist will give you a direct clinical recommendation at your consultation rather than defaulting to whichever treatment costs more.
Braces tend to be the better choice when:
Invisalign tends to be the better choice when:
If you’re genuinely unsure which is right for your situation — that’s exactly what the free consultation is for. Come in, get evaluated, and the orthodontist will tell you honestly which path gives you the best outcome for your specific teeth.
Metal braces are the gold standard of orthodontic treatment — the most effective option across all case complexities, the most affordable type, and equally well-suited for children, teens, and adults. Stainless steel brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth and connected by an archwire that Dr. Garay adjusts at each appointment to continue moving teeth toward their ideal position.
Today’s metal brackets are smaller and more comfortable than older designs. The elastic ties that hold the wire in place come in a wide range of colors — something kids and teens genuinely look forward to changing at every adjustment appointment. For the right patient, metal braces give Dr. Garay the highest level of control over tooth movement — making them the preferred option for complex bite corrections and significant crowding.
Ceramic braces function exactly like metal braces but use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend with your natural enamel, making them significantly less visible. For patients who want the clinical effectiveness of traditional braces with a more discreet appearance — common among older teens and adults in professional settings — ceramic braces are the natural choice.
The tradeoff is modest: ceramic brackets are slightly more fragile than metal and require a little more care around very hard foods. They also carry a modest cost premium over metal. But for the right patient, the aesthetic advantage throughout treatment is well worth it.
A significant share of our Frisco braces patients are adults. There is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment — teeth move effectively at any age with proper orthodontic mechanics.
Common reasons adults pursue braces at our Frisco office include relapse after teenage treatment, bite issues causing wear or jaw discomfort over time, or simply deciding the time is right for a smile they’ve always wanted. We design adult treatment plans that account for existing dental work, fit around professional schedules, and address the specific concerns adults bring to orthodontic care.
Many adult braces patients combine treatment with cosmetic dentistry — whitening, veneers, or bonding — after treatment is complete. All Thrive Frisco patients receive complimentary custom whitening trays when treatment ends, making this a natural next step.
Our Orthodontists completed two to three additional years of specialty training after dental school focused exclusively on orthodontics. Braces at Thrive Frisco are placed and managed by an orthodontist — not a general dentist offering treatment as a secondary service. This directly affects the precision and predictability of your results.
At your records appointment, Dr. Garay uses our 3D digital intraoral scanner to capture a precise model of your teeth. No impression trays, no putty, no gagging. The digital scan produces a more accurate model than traditional impressions, is more comfortable — especially for patients with a sensitive gag reflex — and is particularly appreciated by younger patients.
Orthodontic treatment involves regular appointments over 18–36 months. If younger siblings or children come along to appointments, they’re genuinely taken care of in our Frisco kids’ lounge — a giant TV playing kids’ shows, a PlayStation, and a Nintendo Wii. Parents tell us this changes the appointment experience entirely — when you’re not worried about restless kids in the waiting room, you can actually focus on yourself.
Our Frisco lobby is spacious and comfortable with coffee, water, and drinks available, a large TV playing shows, and lounge-style seating. For a family making multiple orthodontic visits per year, the quality of the waiting experience matters over the long run.
Two TVs in every operatory — one above the chair and one at eye level — with Netflix available during every appointment. Braces adjustments take 20–40 minutes. Having something to watch makes that time pass quickly and significantly reduces appointment anxiety, particularly for first-time patients and younger teenagers.
Our Frisco location at Hillcrest and Rolater Road is convenient for Lebanon High School students and families, Collin College Frisco campus students, and the broader east Frisco community. We understand the school schedule and activity season, and we work to offer appointment times that fit around the realities of student and family life.
Dr. Garay evaluates your teeth, bite, and jaw development. She discusses her clinical findings in plain language and presents your options — type of braces, estimated timeline, and complete cost with and without insurance. Questions are encouraged. There is no commitment required at this appointment.
Once you decide to proceed, we take comprehensive orthodontic records using our digital scanner — no impressions. Photographs and digital X-rays complete the records package. These form the foundation of your personalized treatment plan.
Your braces are placed. Dr. Garay bonds each bracket precisely, threads the initial archwire, and ties it with the elastics of your color choice. You receive orthodontic wax, a care kit, and detailed instructions before you leave. Most patients experience soreness and pressure for the first three to five days — soft foods and acetaminophen help significantly. The discomfort resolves and most patients adapt much faster than expected.
Every six to ten weeks, you return for an adjustment — typically 20–40 minutes. Dr. Garay evaluates progress, changes the wire, adjusts mechanics, and updates elastic colors. Each adjustment advances your teeth incrementally toward the final result.
When teeth reach their final position, brackets are removed, teeth are polished, and custom retainers are delivered. Retainers are worn full-time initially, then transition to nighttime-only wear on an ongoing basis. Wearing retainers consistently — indefinitely — is the only thing that protects results from natural tooth movement over time. All Thrive Frisco braces treatment includes retainers and complimentary whitening trays at the end of treatment.
Good hygiene during treatment protects your enamel and your investment. The most impactful changes: switch to an electric toothbrush — a sonic model cleans around brackets far more effectively than any manual brush. Brush after every meal. Floss daily using floss threaders or orthodontic flossers under the wire. Rinse with fluoride mouthwash nightly to protect against white spot lesions around brackets.
Keep your regular dental cleanings every six months throughout treatment. Our hygiene team removes the buildup that home care misses and monitors gum health during braces. Patients who maintain cleanings during orthodontic treatment consistently have better outcomes.
For a full breakdown of what to watch for during treatment and how to handle it, see our guide on how to prevent the side effects of braces.
Most dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits apply them equally to braces and Invisalign — a lifetime maximum that contributes toward treatment cost regardless of which option you choose. Metal braces are typically the most affordable orthodontic option before insurance; ceramic braces carry a modest premium.
Our front desk team verifies your orthodontic benefits before your consultation so you know exactly what your plan contributes before making any decisions. For patients without orthodontic insurance, in-house payment plans spread the cost over the treatment period with no large upfront commitment. Our Healthy Smiles Discount Plan provides discounted rates on orthodontic treatment for $89/year. Visit our insurance page for the full carrier list.
Our Frisco office is at 10935 Rolater Rd #100 — on the corner of Hillcrest and Rolater Road in east Frisco. We serve patients from throughout the area including Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney, and surrounding communities. Convenient parking and easy access from the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Lebanon Road.
Beyond braces, our Frisco location offers Invisalign, dental cleanings, teeth whitening, dental crowns, emergency dental care, and comprehensive general dentistry — everything your family needs under one roof.
Most children who need braces begin treatment between ages 10 and 14, when most permanent teeth have erupted and the jaw is still actively growing. The first orthodontic evaluation should happen by age 7 per AAO guidelines — even if no treatment is indicated yet, the evaluation gives Dr. Garay the information needed to time treatment optimally.
Mild cases typically complete in 12–18 months. Most moderate cases take 18–24 months. Complex bite corrections may take up to 36 months. Compliance — wearing elastics as directed, attending all appointments, avoiding bracket-breaking foods — has a meaningful impact on staying on schedule.
The bonding appointment is painless. Soreness begins within a few hours as teeth start responding to new forces, peaking around 24–72 hours. Subsequent adjustments cause similar temporary soreness. Acetaminophen and soft foods manage it well. Most patients adapt within the first few weeks and describe the discomfort as very manageable.
Yes — with a properly fitted mouthguard. A mouthguard protects both your brackets and your lips and cheeks during contact sports. Ask Dr. Garay for a recommendation if you play an active sport.
Yes. Relapse after previous orthodontic treatment is very common, usually from inconsistent retainer wear. Many adult patients at our Frisco office are correcting shifting after teenage braces. Dr. Garay will evaluate your current alignment and bone health at your consultation.
Yes! We understand that time is precious, and many patients do not want to have multiple appointments to get their braces put on. At Thrive, we offer same-day orthodontic starts.
A straighter smile and a healthier bite start with a free consultation. Come in to our Frisco office, meet Dr. Garay and our team, and see what treatment would actually look like for your teeth.
Book your free braces consultation — corner of Hillcrest and Rolater Road in east Frisco. Or call (972) 371-0616.
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