Convenient Access from Washington Avenue
Only I-10 separates the Washington Avenue corridor from SMYL Dentistry, and the hop across it takes about 4 minutes. If you want a dentist near Washington Avenue who can see you before work, our Houston office on N Shepherd Dr opens at 7:00 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Two dentists and their hygiene team provide cleanings, whitening, SureSmile clear aligners and emergency care under one roof.
Starting at Houston Fire Department Station 6 on Washington Ave, plan on 1.7 miles and roughly 4 minutes. Go north on Lakin St, jog west on Center St, then take Heights Blvd north over I-10. Turn west on the Katy Freeway frontage road, go north on Shepherd Dr, and turn right onto W 6th St to reach 600 N Shepherd Dr Ste. 164, Houston, TX 77007, on the east side of Shepherd about a quarter mile above the freeway.
Shepherd and Durham work as a one-way pair here. Shepherd carries northbound traffic past the office, while Durham, a short distance west, runs south. Patients farther west along the corridor in Rice Military, or north of the freeway in Cottage Grove, use the same Shepherd approach.
Dental Care That Fits Life on Washington Avenue
Washington Avenue takes its name from Washington County, and it began as part of the original road between Houston and Brenham. Before the Katy Freeway opened, US 90 ran along it. For much of its history it served as a working corridor of commerce linking downtown, the Sixth Ward and the Heights.
Around 2009 the avenue became a restaurant and entertainment strip, and townhouses and condominiums began replacing older commercial lots. The City now describes its super neighborhood as one of the most rapidly changing areas in Houston. Many of the people moving into those new homes are young professionals with packed calendars.
That is the patient our schedule was built around. A Tuesday or Thursday visit can start at 7:00 AM and wrap up in time for a downtown commute. Mondays and Wednesdays run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, which leaves room for a late-morning or early-afternoon slot when the day allows.
Smile Goals and Comfort for Washington Avenue Residents
On a corridor known for its restaurants, appearance is a natural concern. Coffee, red wine and tea all leave their mark on enamel over time, and a brighter smile is a common first goal. We use the GLO Science whitening system, and our dentists can pair it with porcelain veneers or gum contouring when a bigger change is wanted.
Straighter teeth are another goal many adults share. SMYL Dentistry offers SureSmile clear aligners, and for a limited time new patients receive a free SureSmile consultation plus $1,000 off treatment. Clear trays come out for meals and photos, which suits adults who never wore braces as teenagers or whose teeth have shifted since.
If you recently moved into one of the avenue's townhomes or condos, finding a dentist probably sits somewhere on the moving checklist. A first visit here starts with a conversation rather than a sales pitch. The practice does not upsell, and you make the final decision on any treatment our dentists recommend.
Comfort matters too, especially for anyone who has put off care. Ceiling-mounted TVs let you put on a favorite Netflix show while you are in the chair, and nitrous oxide is available when appointments make you uneasy. The office itself is boutique in style, closer to a calm studio than a clinic waiting room.
The corridor sits in Harris County inside Loop 610, between Memorial Park to the west and the Old Sixth Ward to the east, with Buffalo Bayou along its southern edge. Spotts Park on S. Heights Blvd. and historic Glenwood Cemetery, founded in 1871, both sit within the super neighborhood. The City's Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park Super Neighborhood page covers the wider area, which was recognized as a super neighborhood in March 2000.
Popular Treatments with a Dentist Near Washington Avenue
SureSmile Clear Aligners
SureSmile moves teeth with a series of clear, removable aligners. Ask about the new-patient consultation, which is free for a limited time and comes with $1,000 off treatment.
Cosmetic Dentistry
From GLO Science whitening to porcelain veneers and full smile makeovers, cosmetic plans start with what you want your smile to look like. Our dentists walk you through each option and its cost.
Preventative Dentistry
Routine cleanings, exams and digital x-rays catch decay and gum problems early. An early Tuesday or Thursday appointment keeps that routine from crowding a workday.
Emergency Treatment
A broken tooth or sudden ache rarely waits for a convenient moment. We offer same-day appointments whenever possible for dental emergencies, and the drive from the corridor is only a few minutes.
Meet Your Houston Dental Team
Outside the office, Dr. Christina Vu, DMD, spends her time with her husband and their golden retrievers; inside it, her focus is general and cosmetic dentistry. A Houston native, she completed undergraduate work at the University of Texas and her dental medicine degree at Western University of Health Sciences. More than a decade of practice shapes the whitening and veneer plans she builds with corridor patients, and Dr. Mac, the Cosmetic & Implant Dentist, works beside her.
Insurance, SMYL Club & Financing
Larger cosmetic and aligner plans can be split into payments through Cherry financing. We also take all major credit cards, cash and checks, and we work with a multitude of insurance providers. Patients without coverage can join the SMYL Club, our in-house membership at $354 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is SMYL Dentistry from Washington Avenue, and how do I get there?
From Fire Station 6 on Washington Ave, the office is about 1.7 miles away, roughly 4 minutes by car. You cross I-10 on Heights Blvd, follow the frontage road west and turn north on Shepherd Dr to W 6th St. For anyone choosing a dentist near Washington Avenue, that means a quick trip with no long freeway stretch.
Which teeth whitening system do you use?
We use GLO Science whitening. Our dentists check your teeth and gums first, then explain how whitening fits with any fillings, crowns or veneers you already have, since dental work does not lighten the way natural enamel does. Many patients whiten before getting new veneers or crowns so the shade of the new work matches the brighter teeth.
Do you offer clear aligners instead of braces?
Yes, we offer SureSmile clear aligners. They are removable trays that gradually move your teeth, and you take them out to eat and brush. For a limited time, new patients get a free SureSmile consultation and $1,000 off treatment, which makes it easy to learn whether aligners suit your bite before you commit to anything.
How can I pay for treatment that insurance does not cover?
You have several options. We accept all major credit cards, cash and checks, and Cherry financing lets you spread a larger balance into payments. Before treatment we give you a cost breakdown, so you know your share in advance. Patients without coverage can also join the SMYL Club for $354 per year.
Will I see the images from my dental exam?
Yes. Our dentists use intraoral cameras that capture high-resolution images of your teeth and gums, along with digital x-rays that show what lies beneath the surface. You see the same images on screen while they explain what they found, from early gum inflammation to a small crack. That shared view makes it easier to weigh your options and decide.
Schedule Your Visit from Washington Avenue
When you need a dentist near Washington Avenue, the trip is short and the morning hours are early. Call 281-823-7943 or tap Book Now on our site to reserve a time. Explore other nearby neighborhoods on our Areas We Serve page, or head to the Dentist Houston, TX homepage for the full practice overview.