Prosthodontics in Houston, TX
Restoring beautiful, functional smiles is both a science and an art. At Oral Health & Smile Design, our interdisciplinary team — led by board-trained prosthodontist Dr. Marianita Vasquez alongside Dr. Allen and Dr. Acosta — brings together general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and prosthodontic specialty care under one roof. Whatever your smile needs, the right expertise is already here.
The Dental Specialty Built Around Restoring Your Smile
Prosthodontics is one of the nine recognized dental specialties in the United States. While a general dentist handles a wide range of everyday dental needs, a prosthodontist receives an additional two to three years of advanced residency training focused exclusively on the restoration and replacement of teeth — from a single missing tooth all the way to full-mouth reconstruction.
Think of it this way: if general dentistry is primary care, prosthodontics is the specialist you see when the situation calls for something more. Complex tooth loss, worn-down teeth, failing dental work, bite problems, or a desire for a truly transformed smile — these are the cases where a prosthodontist makes all the difference.
At Oral Health & Smile Design, you don't have to travel across town or navigate a referral to access this level of expertise. Dr. Marianita Vasquez, our board-trained prosthodontist, sees patients right here in our Houston office — alongside our general dentistry team, so your entire care stays connected and seamless.
Explore TreatmentsDid you know? Only about 3% of all dentists in the U.S. are prosthodontists. Having one on your care team means access to an exceptional level of restorative expertise — right in your neighborhood.
Signs You May Benefit from Seeing a Prosthodontist
You don't have to have a "complicated" case to benefit from prosthodontic care. Here are some of the most common situations our Houston patients come to us for:
One or More Missing Teeth
Whether you've lost a tooth to decay, injury, or gum disease, gaps affect more than your appearance — they shift surrounding teeth, alter your bite, and accelerate bone loss. Prosthodontic solutions like implants and bridges restore both form and long-term function.
Worn, Cracked, or Damaged Teeth
Years of grinding (bruxism), acidic diets, or trauma can wear teeth down significantly. Prosthodontic treatment rebuilds the structure of damaged teeth with durable, lifelike restorations designed to last for years.
Failing or Old Dental Work
Crowns, bridges, and dentures don't last forever. If your existing restorations are cracking, no longer fitting well, or simply looking dated, a prosthodontist can replace them with modern, precisely crafted alternatives.
A Smile You're Not Confident About
Prosthodontics sits at the intersection of science and aesthetics. If you want a smile that genuinely reflects how you feel inside — not just "fixed" but truly beautiful — prosthodontic-level cosmetic planning makes that possible.
Multiple Complex Issues at Once
When someone needs implants, crowns, bite correction, and cosmetic work all at the same time, a prosthodontist coordinates the full plan with a precision that general dentistry isn't trained to provide. That's full-mouth rehabilitation — and it's one of the most life-changing treatments in dentistry.
Ill-Fitting or Uncomfortable Dentures
Traditional dentures that slip, click, or limit what you can eat don't have to be your only option. Implant-supported and implant-retained dentures offer dramatically improved stability, comfort, and confidence.
A Full Range of Restorative Solutions, All Under One Roof
Whatever your smile needs — whether it calls for the precision of a prosthodontist, the artistry of a cosmetic dentist, or the steady hand of an experienced general dentist — our interdisciplinary team has you covered. Under one roof, in one practice, with one coordinated plan built around you.
One Practice. Every Skill You Need.
At Oral Health & Smile Design, dentistry doesn't happen in silos. Dr. Allen, Dr. Acosta, and Dr. Vasquez work as a collaborative team — drawing on each other's expertise fluidly depending on what each patient's case calls for. A crown might be straightforward restorative work. Or it might be the finishing touch on a complex prosthodontic plan. A smile makeover might blend cosmetic, restorative, and specialist input in a single treatment. The point is you don't have to figure out who does what — we do. One practice, one coordinated plan, one team that brings the right combination of skills to your care from day one.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over a damaged, decayed, or structurally weakened tooth — restoring its size, shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are one of the most versatile tools in restorative dentistry, and our team places them with meticulous attention to how each restoration interacts with your surrounding teeth, gum line, and bite.
At Oral Health & Smile Design, we use high-quality ceramic and zirconia materials that mimic the natural translucency and color of real enamel, so your crown blends in seamlessly. For complex cases involving multiple crowns or full-mouth rebuilds, Dr. Vasquez's prosthodontic expertise guides the overall plan — ensuring every detail of the final result is precisely right.
Crowns are commonly used for: Cracked or fractured teeth · Large cavities that can't support a filling · Teeth after root canal therapy · Worn-down teeth · Anchor support for a dental bridge · Implant restorations
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic that literally "bridges" the gap left by one or more missing teeth. It's anchored to the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap — called abutment teeth — and the artificial tooth (or teeth) in between is called a pontic.
Bridges are a time-tested, highly effective solution for replacing missing teeth without surgery. They restore your ability to chew and speak normally, maintain the shape of your face, and prevent remaining teeth from drifting into the gap. A properly designed bridge, planned with prosthodontic precision, distributes bite forces naturally and can last a decade or more with good care.
Types we offer: Traditional fixed bridges · Implant-supported bridges · Maryland (resin-bonded) bridges
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement — and for good reason. A titanium implant post is placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over time in a process called osseointegration. This creates a permanent, incredibly stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture on top.
Unlike dentures or bridges, implants don't require adjacent teeth to be altered, and they actively stimulate the jawbone — preventing the bone loss that naturally occurs when a tooth root is absent. The result is a restoration that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
For implant restorations involving complex planning — multiple implants, full-arch cases, or implants as part of a larger rehabilitation — Dr. Vasquez's prosthodontic training ensures the restoration is designed from day one with your bite, anatomy, adjacent teeth, and aesthetic goals fully in view.
Implant solutions we offer: Single-tooth implants · Implant-supported bridges · Implant-anchored dentures (full and partial)
Dentures & Partial Dentures
Modern dentures are nothing like what your grandparents wore. Today's prosthetics are custom-crafted to fit precisely, look natural, and feel far more comfortable than older generations of removable appliances. But fit, comfort, and aesthetics all depend on the expertise of the person designing them — and that's where having a prosthodontist matters enormously.
Full dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth and are fabricated to support proper facial structure and a natural bite relationship. Partial dentures are designed to fill gaps when some natural teeth remain, using precision attachments to stay securely in place.
For patients who want even greater stability and confidence, we also offer implant-supported and implant-retained dentures — a game-changing upgrade that eliminates slipping and dramatically expands what you can eat and do comfortably.
Full-Mouth Rehabilitation
Full-mouth rehabilitation — also called full-mouth reconstruction — is the most comprehensive level of restorative care in dentistry. It's designed for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss, wear, or damage across multiple teeth or both dental arches, and need a coordinated treatment plan to restore function, health, and aesthetics simultaneously.
This is where prosthodontic expertise truly shines. Rather than treating each problem in isolation, Dr. Vasquez develops an integrated plan that considers your bite mechanics, jaw position, gum health, bone structure, and aesthetic goals together — then sequences treatment strategically to achieve the best possible outcome.
Patients who pursue full-mouth rehabilitation often describe it as one of the most transformative experiences of their lives — not just cosmetically, but in how they eat, speak, and carry themselves with confidence every day.
Common components: Implants · Crowns · Bridges · Bone grafting coordination · Veneers · Gum treatment · Orthodontic coordination
Cosmetic Prosthodontics & Veneers
Prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry overlap significantly — and patients benefit enormously from having a prosthodontist lead cosmetic treatment planning. Dr. Vasquez brings both the technical depth to ensure longevity and function, and the aesthetic sensibility to ensure your smile looks genuinely, naturally beautiful.
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells bonded to the front surface of teeth to transform their color, shape, size, or length. When designed by a prosthodontist, veneers are planned as part of your overall smile architecture — taking into account your facial proportions, gum line, lip position, and the way your teeth come together — not just applied tooth by tooth.
Cosmetic concerns we address: Discoloration or staining · Chipped or worn edges · Gaps between teeth · Minor misalignment · Uneven tooth lengths · Overall smile makeovers
Your Prosthodontic Journey at Oral Health & Smile Design
We know that complex dental treatment can feel overwhelming. Here's how we make the process clear, comfortable, and collaborative from start to finish.
Comprehensive Consultation
We listen first. Dr. Vasquez takes time to understand your concerns, goals, and history before any clinical evaluation begins.
Thorough Examination
A full assessment including X-rays, bite analysis, and review of existing restorations — so we understand the complete picture.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Dr. Vasquez presents a clear, phased plan with all your options explained — timelines, costs, and what to expect at every step.
Precision Treatment
Every restoration is crafted and placed with meticulous attention to fit, function, and aesthetics — no shortcuts, ever.
Ongoing Support
We're here after treatment too — with follow-up care, maintenance guidance, and a team that genuinely knows your smile.
Degree Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Specialty Training Prosthodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Faculty Role Assistant Professor, UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
Areas of Expertise Complex Restorative Care · Implant Therapy · Cosmetic Dentistry · Digital Dentistry
Dr. Marianita Vasquez, DDS, MSD
When you choose prosthodontic care at Oral Health & Smile Design, you're in the hands of someone who has dedicated her career to mastering this specialty — and to sharing that mastery with the next generation of dentists.
Dr. Vasquez completed her specialty training in prosthodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, one of the most respected dental programs in the country. Today, she brings that depth of expertise to every patient she sees — and also serves as an Assistant Professor at UTHealth Houston, where she helps train future dentists in clinical excellence and compassionate care.
What sets Dr. Vasquez apart isn't just her technical skill — it's her philosophy. She believes that exceptional dentistry begins with truly understanding each patient. Before she designs a single restoration, she listens. She asks questions. She makes sure the treatment plan she creates genuinely reflects your needs, your goals, and your life.
Whether she's restoring one tooth or rebuilding an entire smile, Dr. Vasquez approaches every case with empathy, artistry, and meticulous attention to detail. Patients consistently describe her as calm, reassuring, and collaborative — someone who makes even complex treatment feel manageable and even exciting.
Read Dr. Vasquez's Full BioInterdisciplinary Care. Specialist Expertise. One Convenient Home.
There are dedicated prosthodontic specialty offices in Houston. And there are general dental practices. But very few practices bring both together under one roof — with a team that genuinely collaborates on every case. That's what makes OHSD different.
| What You're Looking For | Standalone Specialist Office | Oral Health & Smile Design |
|---|---|---|
| Board-trained prosthodontist on site | ✓ | ✓ Dr. Vasquez, UTHealth-trained |
| Interdisciplinary team under one roof | ✗ Specialist only | ✓ General, cosmetic & prosthodontic care together |
| General dentistry in the same practice | ✗ Referral required | ✓ Dr. Allen & Dr. Acosta on-site |
| Coordinated care across dental needs | ✗ Multiple offices to manage | ✓ One team, one record, one relationship |
| Warm, relationship-focused environment | Varies | ✓ 100+ five-star patient reviews |
| Faculty-level prosthodontic expertise | Varies | ✓ Dr. Vasquez teaches at UTHealth Houston |
| Houston location with easy access | Varies | ✓ 3400 S Gessner Rd, Suite 101, 77063 |
Expert Doctors
A prosthodontist, a cosmetic/restorative dentist, and a general dentist — all under one roof.
Five-Star Reviews
Houston patients who've trusted us with their smiles for years — some for decades.
Coordinated Team
No referrals, no fragmented care. Your prosthodontist and your dentist work together.
Ongoing Relationship
We don't just restore your smile and send you on your way. We're here for the long term.
Prosthodontist vs. General Dentist: When Does It Matter?
This is one of the questions we hear most often — and it's a great one. Here's a straightforward way to think about it.
A general dentist is your primary dental care provider. They handle cleanings, fillings, routine extractions, basic crowns, and most of the everyday dental care you need throughout your life. They're essential, and a wonderful general dentist (like Dr. Allen and Dr. Acosta here at OHSD) provides outstanding care for the vast majority of dental situations.
A prosthodontist is a specialist whose entire training and practice is focused on the restoration and replacement of teeth — particularly complex cases involving multiple teeth, significant structural damage, bite problems, or cases where aesthetics and function must be carefully planned together. Prosthodontists also have deeper training in occlusion (how your teeth come together), which is critical in restorative planning.
At Oral Health & Smile Design, you get both. Your general dental care is handled by Dr. Allen and Dr. Acosta. When your needs call for prosthodontic expertise, Dr. Vasquez steps in — and the whole team communicates, so nothing falls through the cracks.
This integrated model is rare in Houston — and it's one of the things that makes OHSD genuinely different from both solo general practices and standalone specialty offices.
Your Prosthodontics Questions, Answered
A prosthodontist completes dental school and then goes on to complete an additional two to three years of specialized residency training focused entirely on restoring and replacing teeth. This includes advanced study of dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, full-mouth rehabilitation, occlusion (bite mechanics), and cosmetic reconstruction. While general dentists handle a wide range of routine care, prosthodontists are the specialists you see for complex restorative needs — the same way you'd see a cardiologist for a complex heart issue versus your primary care physician for a checkup.
No referral is necessary. You can call our office directly or request an appointment online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vasquez. If you're already a patient of Dr. Allen or Dr. Acosta and your care warrants prosthodontic input, they'll bring Dr. Vasquez into your care seamlessly — that's one of the real advantages of our multi-doctor practice model.
Oral Health & Smile Design is a fee-for-service practice, meaning we are not in-network with insurance carriers. However, we will file your insurance claim on your behalf to help you maximize the benefits you're entitled to under your plan. Many patients are surprised how much their out-of-network benefits cover. Our team will walk you through your options before treatment begins so there are no surprises — and we offer CareCredit and Sunbit financing to help make any remaining balance manageable.
Longevity depends on the type of restoration, the materials used, where it's located in your mouth, and how well it's maintained. Generally speaking: high-quality crowns and bridges last 10–15 years or more; dental implants, with proper care, can last a lifetime; implant-supported dentures last significantly longer than traditional removable dentures; and porcelain veneers typically last 10–20 years. Dr. Vasquez uses premium materials and precise technique to maximize the longevity of every restoration she places. Ongoing hygiene, regular check-ups, and following care instructions all play a major role too.
Full-mouth rehabilitation involves multiple treatment phases, and some steps — like implant placement or preparation for crowns — involve procedures that require local anesthesia. With modern anesthesia and a calm, experienced provider like Dr. Vasquez, the vast majority of patients are comfortable during treatment. Post-procedure sensitivity is common and typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Dr. Vasquez takes the time to ensure you understand each step and feel completely at ease before proceeding — her patients consistently describe her as genuinely reassuring, even for complex treatments.
Both types attach to dental implants, but they work a bit differently. Implant-retained dentures (also called overdentures) snap onto implants and can be removed by the patient for cleaning — but they're held much more securely than traditional dentures. Implant-supported dentures are fixed in place and not removable by the patient; they function very similarly to natural teeth and are the closest thing to having your original teeth back. Dr. Vasquez will discuss which option best suits your anatomy, bone density, lifestyle, and goals during your consultation.
Absolutely — and in fact, integrating cosmetic and restorative planning is one of the hallmarks of expert prosthodontic care. There's no reason your restored teeth can't also be beautifully designed. Dr. Vasquez takes an aesthetic approach to every restoration she plans, considering the appearance of your smile as part of the functional plan. Many patients pursuing full-mouth rehabilitation, implants, or crown work also take the opportunity to address the color, shape, and proportion of their overall smile.
Financing Options
We believe exceptional prosthodontic care should be within reach. Oral Health & Smile Design is a fee-for-service practice — we are not in-network with insurance carriers, but we will file your insurance claim on your behalf to help you maximize your out-of-network benefits. And for any remaining balance, we offer flexible financing options so cost is never a barrier to the care you need.
Flexible Payment Plans
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that lets you pay for treatment over time with convenient monthly payments. With promotional financing options available, you can start treatment now and pay at a pace that fits your budget.
Learn About CareCreditFast, Easy Approval
Sunbit offers instant financing decisions with no hard credit pull to apply. It's a simple, stress-free way to split your treatment cost into manageable monthly payments — so nothing stands between you and your smile.
Learn About SunbitTalk to Our Team
Our front desk team will walk you through your insurance benefits and financing options during your consultation. There's no pressure — just clear, honest information so you can make the best decision for you.
Call 713-781-3600Conveniently Located on S. Gessner Road
Our practice is located at 3400 S Gessner Road, Suite 101, Houston, TX 77063 — easily accessible from the surrounding Westheimer, Briargrove, and Westwood neighborhoods and just minutes from the 610 Loop.
Phone: 713-781-3600
Email: frontdesk@oralhealthtx.com
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM (every other Friday)
Saturday – Sunday: Closed