Braces are the most reliable, most versatile orthodontic treatment available — effective for cases of every complexity, and the most affordable path to a straighter smile for most patients. At Thrive Dental & Orthodontics in Richardson, our orthodontic team has been placing braces in this community for over a decade at the corner of East Renner Road and North Star Road.
We offer metal braces, clear ceramic braces, and adult braces — all placed and managed by our experienced orthodontic team. Free consultations are available with no commitment required. We use a 3D digital intraoral scanner so no impressions are ever needed. And our office is designed for the reality of long-term orthodontic treatment — Netflix in every treatment room, an upscale lobby with coffee and drinks, a kids’ lounge with a couch and two gaming consoles, and Saturday appointments every other week.
Book your free braces consultation or call (972) 248-9119. Get directions.
Both are excellent options. Our Richardson orthodontic team gives you a direct clinical recommendation at your consultation.
Braces tend to be the better choice when:
Invisalign tends to be the better choice when:
Not sure which is right for you? That’s exactly what the free consultation is for.
Metal braces are the gold standard of orthodontic treatment — the most effective option across all case complexities, the most affordable type, and equally suited for children, teens, and adults. Stainless steel brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth and connected by an archwire that our orthodontic team adjusts at each appointment to continue moving teeth progressively toward their ideal position.
Today’s metal brackets are smaller, more comfortable, and more precise than older designs. The elastic ties that hold the wire come in a full range of colors — something kids and teens consistently look forward to changing at every adjustment visit. For complex bite corrections and significant crowding, metal braces give our team the highest level of control over individual tooth movement.
Ceramic braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend with natural enamel — significantly less visible than metal while functionally identical. For older teens and adults in professional or social settings who want the clinical effectiveness of traditional braces with a more discreet appearance, ceramic is the natural choice.
Ceramic brackets require slightly more care around very hard foods and carry a modest cost premium over metal. But for patients where the aesthetic experience throughout treatment matters, the tradeoff is well worth it.
A significant and growing share of our Richardson braces patients are adults. Our over-a-decade presence in Richardson means we’ve treated many patients who came in as teenagers and are now returning as adults — sometimes with their own children in tow.
There is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. Common reasons adults pursue braces at our Richardson office include relapse after teenage treatment, bite issues causing wear or jaw discomfort, 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, professional schedules — including Saturday availability — and 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 Richardson patients receive complimentary custom whitening trays when treatment ends.
Our Richardson orthodontic team has been treating patients in this specific community for over ten years. That depth of experience means we’ve seen a wide range of case complexity, we’ve refined our clinical approach over thousands of cases, and we have a track record in Richardson that new providers simply can’t match. Many of our current teen braces patients are the younger siblings of patients we treated years ago.
At your records appointment, our 3D digital intraoral scanner captures a precise model of your teeth. No impression trays, no putty, no gagging, no waiting for material to set. The digital scan is more accurate than any physical impression and is particularly appreciated by younger patients and anyone with a sensitive gag reflex.
We offer orthodontic appointments every other Saturday from 9am–4pm at our Richardson office — in addition to Monday through Thursday 10am–6pm and Friday 10am–5pm. For families and adults whose weekday schedules make regular appointments difficult, Saturday availability makes consistent orthodontic care genuinely feasible.
Braces treatment spans 12–24 months of regular appointments. When younger siblings or children come to appointments, our Richardson kids’ lounge gives them a genuinely comfortable and entertaining space — a couch to relax on, a Nintendo Wii, and a PlayStation. Parents tell us this changes the logistics of the whole visit when you’re not managing restless children in a waiting room.
Two TVs in every operatory — one above the chair and one at eye level — with Netflix available throughout every appointment. Adjustment visits run 20–40 minutes. A familiar show on screen makes the time pass easily and noticeably reduces appointment anxiety, particularly for first-time patients and younger teenagers having their braces placed.
Our Richardson waiting area has a large flat screen TV, coffee, water, and drinks available, and comfortable seating. For parents spending time at orthodontic appointments over a multi-year treatment period, the quality of that waiting experience matters in ways that accumulate.
Our orthodontic team evaluates your teeth, bite, and jaw development. We explain findings clearly, present your options — type of braces, estimated timeline, and complete cost with and without insurance — and answer every question before you make any decision. No commitment required.
Once you decide to proceed, we take orthodontic records using our 3D digital scanner — no impressions. Photographs and digital X-rays complete the records package that forms the foundation of your personalized treatment plan.
Brackets are bonded to each tooth precisely, the archwire is threaded, and elastic ties secure it in your color of choice. You receive orthodontic wax, a care kit, and clear instructions before you leave. Most patients experience mild soreness and pressure for the first three to five days as teeth begin responding to new forces — soft foods and acetaminophen manage it effectively. The discomfort resolves quickly and most patients adapt faster than they expected.
Every six to ten weeks you return for an adjustment — typically 20–40 minutes. Our team evaluates progress, changes the wire, adjusts mechanics, and updates your elastic color if you want. Each adjustment advances teeth incrementally toward the final position.
When teeth reach their final position, brackets are removed, teeth are polished, and retainers are delivered. Retainers protect your results long-term — worn full-time initially then transitioning to nightly wear on an ongoing basis. All Thrive Richardson braces treatment includes retainers and complimentary whitening trays at the end of treatment.
Good hygiene during treatment protects your enamel and your investment. Switch to an electric toothbrush if you haven’t already — a sonic model cleans around brackets dramatically more effectively than any manual brush. Brush after every meal. Floss daily using floss threaders or orthodontic flossers. Rinse with fluoride mouthwash nightly to protect against white spot lesions around brackets.
Maintain your dental cleanings every six months throughout treatment — our multiple hygienists on standby make same-day cleaning appointments genuinely available if your schedule is tight. Patients who maintain regular cleanings during orthodontic treatment consistently finish with better outcomes.
Our Richardson office at 4150 E Renner Rd #400 is on the corner of East Renner Road and North Star Road — convenient from US-75 and easily accessible for patients from Plano, Garland, Murphy, and surrounding communities including UTD, CityLine, and Breckinridge Park.
Get directions · Book your free consultation · (972) 248-9119
Most dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits apply them equally to braces and Invisalign — a lifetime maximum that contributes toward treatment regardless of which type you choose. Metal braces are typically the most affordable orthodontic option before insurance; ceramic carries a modest premium.
Our team verifies your orthodontic benefits before your consultation. For patients without orthodontic coverage, in-house payment plans spread costs over the treatment period. Our Healthy Smiles Discount Plan provides discounted rates on orthodontic treatment for $89/year — $49/year for each additional family member. Visit our insurance page for the full carrier list.
Most children begin braces between ages 10 and 14 when most permanent teeth have erupted. The first orthodontic evaluation should happen by age 7 per AAO guidelines — even if treatment isn’t needed yet, the evaluation lets our team time any intervention optimally.
Mild cases typically complete in 12–18 months. Most moderate cases take 18–24 months. Complex bite corrections may take longer. 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 short-term soreness. Acetaminophen and soft foods manage it well. Most patients adapt quickly and describe the ongoing discomfort as very manageable.
Yes — one Saturday a month from 9am–4pm at our Richardson office. It’s one of the most popular scheduling options for families and working adults. Mention Saturday availability when you book and we’ll find the right slot.
Yes. Relapse after previous orthodontic treatment is common and usually results from inconsistent retainer wear. Many adult patients at our Richardson office are correcting post-teenage shifting. Our team assesses your current alignment and bone health at your free consultation.
You’ll need to avoid certain foods throughout treatment — hard foods that could break brackets (popcorn, hard candy, ice), sticky foods that could dislodge wires, and very chewy foods that put excessive stress on brackets. Our team provides a complete list at your bonding appointment. Beyond those restrictions, you eat normally.
A straighter bite and a healthier smile start with one free consultation. Our Richardson orthodontic team has been delivering results in this community for over a decade — and your best smile is closer than you think.
Book your free braces consultation — corner of East Renner Road and North Star Road in Richardson. Or call (972) 248-9119.
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