Who We Are

The story of Bates Ortho

We are convinced we have the best jobs in the world and love watching smiles come to life. We would be honored to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

We are a Family

We have been creating award-winning smiles in Richmond since 2012. In this time we have seen thousands of lives change and we are thrilled to be a part of the journey. We will forever count our patients and staff as family.

We Believe

A Great Smile Can Change a Life

Have we cried tears of joy with patients? 100% What a joy and privilege it is to bring a smile to life and know it will be shared with the world.

We Don’t Take Ourselves Too Seriously

We are committed to excellent work, and we love it, but we definitely know how to have fun. As we enjoy our time with each other and with our patients, not only will your smile be great at the end of your journey, but you’ll smile along the way, too!

Highly recommend Bates Ortho. My whole family loves them.
DAVID BLANCHARD

Bates Orthodontics is the absolute best! We are beyond pleased.
NICOLE UKROP

Dr. Bates and his team made the process incredibly easy. I love my new smile!
LIZ THOMSON

Dr. Bates and staff are committed to both patient care and overall experience.
TREMETRIS HARRELL

Everyone is so kind and happy. It's like a little family and I just love them!
ALEXIS DADDIO

We Believe In Options

You have lots of choices for how you can achieve your beautiful smile. Dr. Bates is skilled in using innovative orthodontic tools to weave your personal preferences into your treatment plan.

About Us

Services

Cost Calculator

New Patients

Book Online

Comparison Point	Traditional Braces	Invisalign	LightForce
Technology & Materials	Metal or ceramic brackets	SmartTrack material	3D printing technology, polycrystalline material
Customization	Standard brackets adjusted manually	Custom-made aligners	Custom-fit brackets
Treatment Process	Periodic adjustments, typically every 6-8 weeks	Series of aligners, check-ups every 10-12+ weeks	Custom brackets, check-ups every 10-12+ weeks
Comfort & Aesthetics	Visible brackets and wires, can cause irritation	Smooth, comfortable, nearly invisible	Custom-fit, clear brackets
Effectiveness & Treatment Time	Effective for all cases, 18-24 months	Effective for wide range, 12-18 months	Precision movements, similar or shorter time
Availability & Provider Experience	Widely available	Widely available	Growing availability
Post-Treatment Maintenance	Retainers required	Vivera retainers	Custom retainers
Adjustability During Treatment	Orthodontist adjusts brackets and wires	Removable aligners, new aligners if needed	Fixed brackets, orthodontist adjustments
Patient Compliance	Fixed, no compliance issues for tooth movement	Requires 20-22 hours per day wear	Fixed, no compliance issues for tooth movement
Lifestyle and Convenience	Some food restrictions, regular cleaning	Removable for eating and special occasions	Fixed, some food restrictions, regular cleaning
Visibility and Social Impact	Visible, may affect speech	Nearly invisible, minimal impact on speech	Clear brackets, less noticeable, minimal impact on speech