Dr. William N. Thornton IV, DDS

Whether you are a returning patient or are looking for a new dentist in the Greater Washington, DC, area, our team of caring dental professionals would like to welcome you to our practice. Drs. Will Thornton and Nathan Van der Linden are dentists who offer patients a range of general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry treatments to improve the appearance and health of their smiles. When you choose our Washington, DC, dental office, you can expect excellent care, appointments that start on time, and the latest techniques and tools available in the field of modern dentistry. Learn how Thornton Dental Associates, P.C. can help you improve your oral health and give you something to smile about. A native of southeastern Virginia, Dr. Will Thornton studied biology at the University of Virginia before earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. After completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, Dr. Thornton moved to Washington, DC, in 2005. Dr. Thornton's patient-centered approach to dental care allows him to provide everyone that visits our dental office with exceptional outcomes. He is a member of the: Dr. Nathan Van der Linden is the new Dental Associate joining our practice. Coming from Nova Scotia, Canada, he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Dalhousie University. Upon completing his education he returned to his hometown where he practiced dentistry before moving to Washington, DC. His enjoyment of working in a hands-on career extends from dentistry to his hobbies of gardening along with designing and building furniture. Dr. Nathan is happy to be finally settling into Washington and to work at such a great office. His affiliations include:   ​At Thornton Dental Associates, P.C., in Washington, DC, our team offers compassionate care and personalized treatment to help you improve your smile. So that you can enjoy all of the benefits of optimal oral health as well as a familiar continuity of care, our dentists offer general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry treatments all in one location. Drs. Thornton and Van der Linden strive to deliver the highest level of dental care and will take their time discussing your needs and goals so that they can provide you with an individualized treatment plan. We accept most dental insurance plans and our office staff will gladly file all the necessary paperwork with your provider so you can make the most of your benefits. When I arrived for my first appointment, Dr. Thornton listened calmly to my story and could not have been kinder or more reassuring. Thanks to my restored confidence in the art of dentistry, I have had several procedures at Dr. Thornton''s office since, all of which have been handled with professionalism, patience and kindness. Tooth loss can make chewing and speaking difficult and impact your self-esteem. Missing teeth are also detrimental to both your oral and overall health. Fortunately, there is a solution to these issues. Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots that provide the very best support for replacement teeth while stopping the bone atrophy that follows tooth loss. Our dentists can coordinate dental implant treatment to fill the gaps left by any number of missing teeth. Cosmetic issues such as chipped, cracked, stained, or slightly crooked teeth can give your smile an unhealthy appearance. If you have great oral hygiene but are still unhappy with how your teeth look, veneers are ultra-thin porcelain shells that can effectively conceal imperfections to give you a dazzling smile. Our dentists can place veneers in just two appointments, allowing patients to completely transform their smiles in as little as two weeks. A tooth that has been compromised due to physical trauma or decay can be restored with a dental crown. Crafted from advanced materials that are engineered to withstand years of biting forces, the medical-grade porcelain we use for crowns also mimics the light-reflecting properties of natural tooth enamel. Our dentists will color-match a dental crown to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth. With proper care and regular checkups with our dentists, a crown can protect a tooth for 10 years or more. Missing most or all of your teeth affects nearly every aspect of your life. Widespread tooth loss compromises your appearance, keeps you from eating your favorite foods, and causes you to hide your smile when it's time for a photo with friends, family, or colleagues. A custom set of dentures can take years off of your appearance, enhance your quality of life, and make it easier to eat, speak, and smile. Our dentists can fabricate a partial or full denture to restore the function and appearance of your smile. The friendly team of professionals at Thornton Dental Associates, P.C. provides comprehensive dental care to patients throughout Washington, DC. Dr. Will Thornton and Dr. Nathan Van der Linden are affiliated with prestigious organizations, including the:

Soheil Ak
5 Star
Dr Vanderlinden is amazing. Very professional, kind, well-behaved, always gentle. I really had great experience with him. Very nice office too. Kind smiling staff. I recommend this place to everyone. Unfortunately because my insurance changed I couldn’t continue being a patient but they are great.
Tuesday 15th April 2025

Jeff Fox
5 Star
Dr. Thornton is an excellent dentist with great attention to detail and does excellent dental work. He has a friendly professional style and is very good explaining your dental procedures. The dental hygienists do an exceptional job and office staff is pleasant.
Friday 21st March 2025

Zia
5 Star
From my very first appointment 12 years ago, my experiences at Dr. Thornton's dental office have been nothing short of phenomenal. They've set a gold standard for what I expect from dental care, and honestly, no one else comes close. Dr. Thornton is an exceptional dentist, one who combines professionalism with a genuine care for his patients' wellbeing. For years, he had been advising me on a crucial issue regarding my dental health—my teeth alignment. Unlike an overbite where there might be a clear space between the front upper and lower teeth, mine met in perfect alignment. This sounds ideal, but Dr. Thornton explained how this was actually detrimental. Without the proper overbite, every time I chewed, my teeth would hit each other with full force, eventually leading to significant damage, or worse, them shattering. I admit, I hesitated on taking action. However, Dr. Thornton patiently provided me with all the information I needed, never pressuring me, but always highlighting the importance of preventative care. It was this approach that finally led me to agree to the treatment plan—Invisalign. The decision to proceed with Invisalign wasn't made lightly, but it was made easier thanks to some funds I had in my health savings account. Dr. Thornton and his team meticulously planned and executed the process, ensuring I was comfortable and informed every step of the way. The transparency and support provided were exceptional. The results? Absolutely transformative. Not only has the treatment improved my teeth’s alignment and eliminated the risk of them damaging each other, but I also find myself more confident in my smile. It’s incredible to think how this change will positively impact my dental health for years to come. The office staff deserves a special shoutout too. Every appointment is a breeze, thanks to their efficiency and friendliness. The environment they've created is one where I feel welcomed and valued—a feeling that has remained consistent over the dozen years of being their patient. In summary, if you’re looking for a dentist who combines expertise, care, and the ability to positively transform your dental health, Dr. Thornton is the one. My only regret? Not starting my Invisalign treatment sooner. Thank you, Dr. Thornton and team, for a truly outstanding dental care experience!
Tuesday 7th May 2024

C. H.
5 Star
BEST DENTIST IN DC. HE IS KIND, LAID BACK, AND GENTLE. HE ALLOWS PAYMENT PLANS WITH NO INTEREST AND HAS AN INCREDIBLE STAFF FROM FRONT TO BACK. I READ THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS ON HERE AND CAN GUARANTEE THESE ARE FROM FOLKS WHO THINK THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND THEM AND MAD THEY CAN'T GET THEIR WAY WHEN THEY WANT IT. IT'S NOT A WALK IN CLINIC, HOWEVER THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE THEIR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE EMERGENCIES. BOTH MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE NERVOUS PATIENTS AND SINCE BEING PATIENTS HERE, WE NO LONGER FEAR THE DENTIST. HE ALSO DID MY AUNT'T VENEERS AND A COUPLE OTHER PPL I KNOW AND THEY LOOK FANTASTIC
Wednesday 5th March 2025

Dong-Uk Cho
1 Star
This clinic has the worst admin staff ever. They randomly cancelled my appointment and when I showed up on time in person all they told me was that the staff who inadvertently canceled my appointment left the clinic and I should reschedule for another day. What??!! To make it worse, the business manager told me I was being difficult. Seriously? To be fair, Dr. Thorton seems to be a great dentist but the staff and business manager are worse than miserable. Unfortunately dental schools do not seem to teach business or management skills. Dear Dr. Thorton, if you cannot manage the staff well yourself, hire the right people please, at least the right business manager. Hope you get things straight.
Tuesday 16th October 2018