Proudly Serving Houston, TX 30 Years of Patient-Centered Dental Care

Dr. Van Slate is one of the few dentists in Houston who has received specific training in treating TMJ disorders. He has been successfully treating TM disorders in his practice for 20 years. There have been significant improvements in the orthotic/bite guard design and TM treatments over the past 10 years. We are using BIOPAK computer technology to find the most ideal and comfortable bite position where the muscles are at rest and the TM joint is fully decompressed. We use this data to make precise appliances at this optimal bite position so that healing of the TM joints will be most predictable. The easiest and least invasive procedures are always considered over surgery and long-term medications.

Patients who suffer from TMD issues must be educated in the reasons for this condition. Maintaining a stable bite position where the teeth come together in the most pain free manner is essential to long term success in treating TMD.

Dr. Van Slate has been successfully treating patients with snoring and sleep apnea issues for over 15 years. Detailed research has linked sleep breathing disorders with many harmful health issues like hypertension, heart disease and strokes. Getting treatment for sleep issues has never been easier. We can now administer sleep studies from the convenience of your home, which we use to determine if you are a candidate for a CPAP or sleep appliance. 

There have been amazing improvements to the sleep appliance design that we are now recommending. Sleep appliances should be designed specifically for a person's individual issue. This is why cheaper, over the counter devices do not work effectively. Our appliances are milled by computer in material that is comfortable, durable, strong and precise. With this new design, we no longer have problems with sore jaw muscles and jaw instability like other appliances on the market. We consistently see dramatic improvements in snoring and apnea issues with these dental sleep appliances.

The roots of a tooth provide stimulation to the tissue in your jawbone, signaling to the body to retain bone tissue. When a tooth is lost, the lack of stimulation causes the jawbone to begin to recede. If not treated promptly, atrophy of the bone tissue causes surrounding teeth to shift, among other oral health issues.

Dental implants are the only treatment available that stops bone atrophy after tooth loss. They replace tooth roots, providing stimulation to keep the bone tissue strong and healthy. The posts also offer the ultimate foundation for dental crowns, bridges, and dentures.