meet

Dr. Grace Hughes

Dr. Hughes expert in Braces and invisalign

Hi, I'm Dr. Grace Hughes, and I'm so glad you're here.

Thrive Orthodontics was born out of a simple but powerful idea: I love seeing people thrive. Whether it's my two young sons growing and exploring the world, or my patients gaining confidence with every smile — nothing brings me more joy than helping others flourish.

Dr. Hughes with family in Carson, CA

family owned and operated

At Thrive Orthodontics, we’re more than just a practice — we’re a family.

As a locally owned and family-operated office, we take pride in creating a welcoming space where every patient feels seen, heard, and cared for like one of our own. Dr. Hughes isn’t part of a corporate chain — Thrive was built from the ground up with heart, purpose, and a commitment to putting people first.

Happy Kids no dental anxiety early braces
  • Becoming an orthodontist was the perfect blend of everything I love — science, engineering, and art — all wrapped into one career that genuinely helps people.

    I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving and working with my hands, and orthodontics gave me a way to combine precision and creativity to make something truly meaningful: a healthy, confident smile. There’s an artistic side to orthodontics that I really enjoy — every case is like a custom design, carefully crafted for each patient.

    What also drew me in was the positivity of the field. Patients actually like coming to the orthodontist — we get to celebrate progress at every visit, not just fix problems. And because treatment happens over months or years, I really get to know my patients and their families, which makes the work even more rewarding.

  • BS in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech

    MS and DDS from the University of Texas School of Dentistry

  • Absolutely! I work with patients of all ages and we love helping adults who may be getting orthodontic treatment for the first time — or coming back to fix a relapse.

  • Yes, I became board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics in 2016 and I continue to uphold the highest standards of clinical excellence, professionalism, and patient care that board certification represents.

  • My favorite place to vacation is Hawaii. It’s a place that I always feel happy to go back to. It’s the perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation. To me, it feels like a slice of heaven.

Hours
Monday and Wednesday 8:30am -5pm

Tuesday and Fridays 9am -4pm

Phone (call or text)
310-523-2161

Location
20930 Bonita St. Suite X

Carson, CA 90746