Zero stars if possible. Smiles By Houston is cosmetic dentistry in marketing only…read more
I was a patient for several years with positive experiences until I needed front crowns replaced in 2025. Given their "cosmetic dentistry" branding, I expected artistic skill and patient-centered care. What I received fell drastically short, resulting in poor aesthetic outcome, misleading chart records, and unprofessionalism.
Dr. Houston referred me to their lab, Creative Dental Designs, where my preferences for shape and shade were dismissed at both appointments--first on September 4, 2025, then on September 24, 2025. I specifically needed gumline color matching to address erosion-related discoloration.
On the final visit, the lab technician Denise casually informed me that while making my crowns, she had dropped one on the floor where her dog tried to swallow it, that she put her fingers in the dog's mouth to retrieve it, then continued the work. She said it like it was funny, relieved she'd saved the crown. I was expected to accept a crown that had been in a dog's mouth as perfectly fine.
When I called Dr. Houston's office on September 29, 2025 to express concerns about the lab's indifference and hygiene standards, they defended the lab. They acknowledged temporaries could last 2-3 months, yet kept emphasizing risks pressuring me to proceed despite my reservations. My only alternative, they said, was paying more for their other lab to redo the crowns--which they admitted would "not look as good."
At placement, they waited to show me the crowns until mid-procedure when I was reclined under harsh light with temporaries already removed. Dr. Houston and assistant Alicia insisted they "looked incredible" and "matched perfectly at the gum-line." They do not. The crowns are noticeably brighter than my neighboring teeth, lack color matching at the gum-line, and feature a strange solid grey area at the bottom--clearly visible in the attached photos.
When I raised concerns post-procedure, office manager Monique told me "it is on you" because I accepted the crowns. No apology, no accountability. Most seriously, when I reviewed my chart notes, I found statements attributed to me that I never made and my complaints were omitted. This is beyond poor customer service. I've since reported the lab to the FDA and the dentist to the Oregon Attorney General.
This dismissive attitude wasn't new. Our health is connected to dental health, yet staff at Smiles by Houston would change the subject when I brought this up; their answer was "use fluoride". Anyone who values integrity over charm will be disappointed. The office looks nice, they smile a lot, but it is surface-level.
There was one exception: Bridgette the hygienist, who was genuinely caring and wise. I witnessed staff casually dismiss her when she spoke honestly about non-superficial matters, which suggests they tolerate the truth only when it suits them. The high staff turnover (dismissed by Monique as "people come and go") makes sense now.
When you have to fact-check your dentist's chart notes, you aren't receiving healthcare anymore--you're being managed to protect their liability.
I will have to pay to have these crowns redone by a dentist who actually has artistic skill. Multiple other dentists agreed the crowns were technically acceptable but cosmetically disappointing. Save yourself the time, money, and violation of trust. Find a dentist who values your health as much as your payment. They exist--this is not one of them.
