Convenient Access from North Richland Hills
Heritage Trace Dental is about 21 minutes northwest of North Richland Hills City Hall, in the far north Fort Worth corridor near Heritage Trace Pkwy. Adults who want a dentist in North Richland Hills, TX with deep training in cosmetic and restorative work may find that this drive opens up more options under one roof. Dr. Matthew Cross sees patients Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
From City Hall on City Point Drive, hop briefly onto Boulevard 26 and take Northeast Loop 820 west in the general lanes for about 1.6 miles. Exit to US 377, the Denton Highway, and head north roughly 2.3 miles, then turn left on Basswood Boulevard. Turn right on Park Vista Boulevard, which becomes Ray White Road, and finish with a left on Heritage Trace Pkwy for the last 1.6 miles to 4160 Heritage Trace Pkwy Ste 408, Fort Worth, TX 76244. The trip covers about 10.7 miles with no tolls, though Loop 820 can run slower at rush hour.
Patients from nearby Haltom City and Watauga visit us as well, and each has its own page with directions.
From Dairy Farm to Mid-Cities Hub: North Richland Hills Today
North Richland Hills began in 1952, when Clarence Jones started subdividing his 268-acre dairy farm. After a request to join neighboring Richland Hills was turned down, residents voted to incorporate on April 25, 1953, with about 500 people. The city has a fascinating history of growth, absorbing Smithfield by 1960 and climbing to roughly 70,000 residents by the 2020 census.
Today it is a well-established Tarrant County suburb in the Mid-Cities, separate from the smaller city of Richland Hills next door. Loop 820, SH 26, Davis Boulevard and Precinct Line Road carry most local traffic, and TEXRail stops at the Iron Horse and Smithfield stations on its way between Fort Worth and DFW Airport.
Recreation is a point of pride. NRH2O opened in 1995 as the first municipal water park in Texas, the city-owned Iron Horse Golf Course sits on Skylark Circle, and more than 800 acres of parkland connect through over 30 miles of hike-and-bike trails. The public library on Grand Avenue rounds out a city with plenty close to home, which is why a dental office has to be worth the drive.
Most North Richland Hills students attend Birdville ISD, while the northern part of the city is in Keller ISD. From City Hall, US 377, the Denton Highway, is the main link north toward the office. Hurst and Colleyville are among the neighboring cities.
Restoring and Refreshing Established Smiles in North Richland Hills
North Richland Hills has a median age in the late 30s and a large share of married-couple households. Plenty of adults here are balancing careers and teenagers while their own dental work starts to show its age. Crowns placed years ago may look dark at the gumline, and older silver fillings can crack or stain.
Restorative and cosmetic dentistry often overlap at this stage. Replacing a worn crown is a chance to improve its color and shape, and a single implant can fill a gap that has quietly shifted the bite. Dr. Cross looks at the whole smile before treating one tooth, so each repair fits a longer-term plan.
Implants deserve careful planning. With advanced 3D implant planning, a CBCT scan shows bone volume, sinus position and nerve pathways in three dimensions, so the implant can be placed where it will be best supported. You see the same images Dr. Cross does, and he explains the plan in plain language before you commit.
For patients who want a bigger change, a smile makeover combines treatments such as whitening, veneers, crowns or Invisalign into one coordinated plan. Dr. Cross approaches that work with an artistic eye and aims for natural-looking results. He reviews digital scans with you so you can see the plan before it begins.
Comfort matters on longer visits. Cozy blankets, neck pillows and TV entertainment help the time pass, Dr. Cross checks in throughout each procedure, and conscious sedation is available for patients with significant anxiety.
Treatments Worth the Drive for Anyone Needing a Dentist in North Richland Hills, TX
Cosmetic Dentistry
Veneers, bonding and whitening correct chips, gaps and discoloration. Every cosmetic plan starts with your goals and aims for a smile that still looks like yours.
Same-Day Crowns
Glidewell IO in-office milling produces a ceramic crown during one appointment. That saves a second 21-minute trip and avoids weeks in a temporary crown.
Dental Implants
An implant anchors a replacement tooth in the jaw without touching the neighboring teeth. CBCT 3D imaging guides placement for precise planning.
Restorative Dentistry
Fillings, crowns and larger rebuilds restore teeth worn by grinding, decay or age. Dr. Cross explains every option so you can decide at your own pace.
Invisalign®
Clear aligners straighten crowding or spacing for adults and teens alike. Parents and teens can even start treatment around the same time.
Not every visit is planned. A cracked molar, a lost crown or a sudden toothache gets same-day emergency care for urgent needs, and new patients can start with the $49 Emergency Exam & X-Ray, which includes a focused exam, any necessary x-rays and treatment recommendations. For North Richland Hills households, that means one familiar office for both the planned work and the surprises.
Meet Your Dentist, Dr. Matthew Cross
Dr. Matthew Cross brought his passion for transformative dentistry from the mountains of Utah to North Texas. Each year he logs 100 hours of continuing education, much of it in cosmetic and implant care, which lines up with the crown, implant and veneer work described above. Off the clock, he enjoys boating and skiing.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Heritage Trace Dental works with most major insurance providers. The office is out-of-network with Delta Dental, yet the team still handles claims and paperwork for Delta members. Cherry financing can make a larger cosmetic or restorative plan easier to budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Heritage Trace Dental from North Richland Hills, and how do I get there?
The office sits about 10.7 miles from North Richland Hills City Hall, roughly a 21-minute drive. Take Loop 820 west, US 377 north, Basswood Boulevard, then Park Vista Boulevard and Heritage Trace Pkwy. For patients who would otherwise pick a dentist in North Richland Hills, TX, the route is toll-free from start to finish.
Can old dark crowns or fillings be replaced so they look more natural?
Yes. Older crowns and metal fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored materials that blend with the surrounding enamel. Many replacement crowns can be milled and placed in a single visit with Glidewell IO. Dr. Cross checks the tooth underneath first, since decay sometimes hides beneath older restorations.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
With proper care, high-quality porcelain veneers can last fifteen years or longer. Daily brushing and flossing, regular checkups and a nightguard if you grind your teeth all help them hold up. Dr. Cross checks your teeth and gums before recommending veneers, because a healthy foundation is what lets them last.
Can I get a second opinion on a treatment plan I received elsewhere?
Yes. Dr. Cross will listen to your concerns, complete his own exam and imaging, and explain what he sees in plain language. There is no pressure to proceed with anything. Many patients simply want to understand why a treatment was recommended before committing, and that is exactly how he prefers to work.
Should I whiten my teeth before getting a new crown?
Usually, yes, if you plan to whiten at all. Whitening lightens natural enamel but does not change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings. Whitening first lets Dr. Cross match the new crown to your brighter shade, so everything blends. He can help you sequence both treatments in your plan.
Schedule Your Visit from North Richland Hills
If you have been searching for a dentist in North Richland Hills, TX, the drive to our office takes about 21 minutes. Call 817-760-2649 to book with Dr. Cross. See every community we serve on the areas we serve page, or visit the Dentist Fort Worth, TX homepage.