Convenient Access from Woodland Heights
Plan on about 7 minutes for the 3.2-mile drive from Woodland Heights to SMYL Dentistry, part of it a short stretch of the Katy Freeway. Neighbors who want a dentist near Woodland Heights find us on N Shepherd Dr in Houston, at the southwest corner of the Heights. Our dentists, Dr. Christina Vu, DMD, and Dr. Mitchell Mactier, handle everything from cleanings to clear aligners and repairs.
From Travis Elementary on Beauchamp St, head south on Beauchamp, turn west onto White Oak Dr, then jog north on Watson St and west on Taylor St to the I-10 on-ramp. Ride the Katy Freeway west for just under a mile, exit to the frontage road and turn right onto Shepherd Dr, then right again on W 6th St to reach 600 N Shepherd Dr Ste. 164, Houston, TX 77007 (map and directions). Lawrence Park sits just northeast of the office at the end of the trip. Patients from The Heights and Washington Avenue come to the same corner from closer in.
Bungalow Streets, Busy Mornings and a Dentist Who Fits Them
Woodland Heights went on the market in October 1907, when the William A. Wilson Realty Company began selling lots on 136 acres of John Austin's Mexican land grant. It grew as a streetcar suburb, about 20 minutes from downtown by way of Houston Avenue.
Today it holds roughly 2,000 homes, mostly early-1900s Arts and Crafts bungalows that are smaller and simpler than the Victorians west of Studewood. The Woodland Heights Historic District, approved by the city in 2011, protects about 386 of them.
The neighborhood is bounded by Pecore St, Studewood St, I-45 and I-10, and it sits inside the Greater Heights in Harris County. Woodland Park, renamed from Bayland Park in 1914, is its green front yard. Every December the civic association's Lights in the Heights celebration fills 14 blocks with luminaria. Houston Parks and Recreation lists Woodland Park and Stude Park among its city park sites.
Woodland Heights is very much a family neighborhood, built around Travis Elementary, which first opened in 1908 on land the developer deeded for it. Mornings mean school drop-offs and commutes toward downtown, so dental visits have to fit around both. Our 7:00 AM starts on Tuesdays and Thursdays are made for that kind of schedule.
Dental Priorities for Woodland Heights Families
Parents in the neighborhood juggle school runs, work and everything in between, so their own dental care can be the first thing to slide. An early cleaning before drop-off fixes that without costing a morning. Preventive care, from checkups to fluoride treatment, keeps the visits short and the surprises few.
Crowded or shifting teeth are another common reason adults finally book. SureSmile clear aligners straighten teeth with a series of removable trays instead of brackets and wires. Others come in for worn teeth, jaw soreness or old fillings that need attention.
Nervous patients have options too. Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are both available, and ceiling-mounted TVs let you watch a favorite Netflix show during a longer visit. The office has a boutique feel rather than a clinical one, which helps a first appointment feel less like a chore.
New patients without dental insurance and without periodontal (gum) disease can start with the $79 cleaning, exam and x-ray. That first visit gives our dentists a full picture of your mouth, and you leave knowing exactly what, if anything, needs to happen next. Nothing is pushed, and every decision is yours.
Rush hour adds time on I-10 and at the Shepherd exit, and nearby Studewood St runs a middle lane that reverses direction with the peak flow. Mondays and Wednesdays run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for anyone who would rather skip the early start.
Services for Families Choosing a Dentist Near Woodland Heights
Preventative Dentistry
Cleanings, exams and x-rays catch cavities and gum problems while they are still small. For Woodland Heights households, regular visits are the simplest way to keep dental costs low.
SureSmile Clear Aligners
Clear, removable aligners move teeth gradually and come out for meals and brushing. They suit adults who want straighter teeth without a mouth full of metal.
TMD Treatment
Jaw clicking, facial soreness and morning headaches can point to a problem with the jaw joint or a clenching habit. Our dentists examine the joint and the bite and explain what can bring relief.
Restorative Dentistry
Fillings, crowns and bridges repair teeth damaged by decay or wear. Crowns and bridges are often designed, milled and placed in one visit with the office's CAD/CAM system, which saves busy parents a second trip.
Meet Your Houston Dental Team
Houston-born Dr. Christina Vu, DMD, completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas and her Doctor of Dental Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences. Her favorite work spans general and cosmetic dentistry, which suits households with a mix of needs. Hygienist Grace, RDH, who moved to Houston from East Texas in 2019, is one of the friendly faces you may see at your cleaning.
Insurance, SMYL Club & Financing
Have insurance? The office works with a multitude of providers, files claims for you and shares a cost breakdown before any treatment. Without coverage, the SMYL Club costs $354 a year and covers two cleanings, two exams, one emergency exam and unlimited x-rays.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is SMYL Dentistry from Woodland Heights, and how do I get there?
From Travis Elementary, the office is 3.2 miles away, about a 7-minute drive. The usual route takes White Oak Dr and Taylor St to I-10 west, then the frontage road to Shepherd Dr and W 6th St. That short freeway hop makes a dentist near Woodland Heights easy to reach before school or work.
Can clear aligners fix teeth that shifted after braces?
Often, yes. Teeth can drift years after braces come off, especially once a retainer is no longer worn, and clear aligners are a common way to move them back. SureSmile uses a series of removable trays, so there are no brackets to work around. Our dentists check your bite first and explain how much movement is involved.
Does the $79 new-patient cleaning special apply if I have gum disease?
No. The $79 cleaning, exam and x-ray is for new patients who do not have insurance and do not have periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease calls for a deeper cleaning than a standard visit. If your exam shows gum problems, our dentists explain the treatment you need and what it will cost before anything begins.
Can adults benefit from fluoride treatment?
Yes. Fluoride strengthens enamel at any age, and adults with dry mouth, receding gums, sensitive teeth or frequent cavities often benefit from it. The treatment takes only a few minutes at the end of a cleaning, so it adds almost no time to your visit. Our dentists can tell you at your exam whether it makes sense for your teeth.
What causes jaw clicking and morning headaches?
Clenching or grinding at night is a common cause, along with stress and problems in the jaw joint itself, known as TMD. Over time, grinding can also wear and crack teeth. An exam of your bite, your jaw muscles and the wear on your teeth helps our dentists find the source and recommend treatment.
Schedule Your Visit from Woodland Heights
When school mornings are already packed, a dentist near Woodland Heights who opens at 7:00 AM twice a week makes life simpler. Call 281-823-7943 to set up your first visit. Explore every neighborhood on our areas we serve page, or learn more about the practice on the Dentist Houston, TX homepage.