Convenient Access from Calumet City
About 10 minutes, one turn and a straight run south on Burnham Avenue: that is the trip from Calumet City Hall to Smiles For Miles in Lansing. Residents who want a dentist in Calumet City, IL with evening hours, emergency visits and cosmetic options can find all three in our office. Calumet City borders Lansing, so the drive feels like crossing into the next neighborhood rather than leaving town.
Begin at City Hall, 204 Pulaski Road, and travel west on Pulaski for about half a mile. Turn left onto Burnham Avenue and stay on it for roughly 4 miles as it crosses the Little Calumet River, crosses the Kingery Expressway (I-80/94) and meets the Pennsy Greenway. Keep going south through the Ridge Road intersection to 18610 Burnham Ave Ste D, Lansing, IL 60438, just past 186th Street. The whole drive covers about 4.6 miles, and we also see patients from nearby Hammond and Hegewisch.
Built Around a Busy, Working City
With roughly 36,000 residents, Cal City is a busy Cook County community, and it skews younger than nearby Munster or Glenwood. Plenty of households here juggle jobs, school pickups and errands. Dental care has to fit around all of that, not the other way around.
The city began in 1893 as West Hammond, formed when Schrumville and Sobieski Park merged, and residents voted for the Calumet City name in 1923. Its position just west of the Indiana line explains the original name. Movie fans also know it as the fictional birthplace of Jake and Elwood in The Blues Brothers.
That is why our Wednesday and Thursday hours run from noon until 7 PM. Someone finishing a regular workday can drive south on Burnham and still make a late afternoon cleaning. Mondays and Tuesdays cover 9 AM to 4 PM, and Fridays and Saturdays alternate with 8 AM to 2 PM hours.
Language should never be a barrier either. Hablamos Español: our team speaks Spanish, so Spanish-speaking families can ask questions and review treatment plans without a go-between.
Everyday Dental Realities for Calumet City Adults and Teens
The city's best-known landmarks are its two water towers painted as smiley faces, a local point of pride. A real smile takes a bit more upkeep. For many adults that means catching up on cleanings that slipped during a hectic year, or finally fixing a chipped front tooth.
Urgent problems tend to arrive at the worst moment. A cracked molar or a swollen gum can turn a workday upside down, and people without insurance sometimes wait too long because of cost. Our $49 emergency exam and x-ray exists for exactly that situation, for new patients without insurance who mention the offer when booking. It cannot be combined with other offers.
Teens are another big group. Students at Thornton Fractional North on Pulaski Road and Thornwood High School are at an age when many start thinking about straighter teeth. Clear aligners and TMJ care both have a place here, alongside routine exams. New patients can start with a free Invisalign consultation to learn whether aligners suit their teeth.
Younger children are spread across several elementary districts, including Calumet City District 155, Dolton 149, Lincoln 156 and Hoover-Schrum 157. Whatever the school, late summer is a natural time to book checkups before classes resume. Parents can line up their own cleanings for the same visit and save a second drive.
Popular Services From a Dentist in Calumet City, IL Residents Can Reach Fast
Emergency Dentistry
Toothaches, broken teeth and lost crowns get prompt attention. Calling ahead lets the team prepare for your visit and find the earliest opening that works.
Porcelain Veneers
Thin porcelain shells cover chips, gaps and stubborn stains on front teeth. Patients sometimes plan them around job interviews or other milestones.
Preventative & General Dentistry
Exams, cleanings and fillings keep small issues small. Intraoral cameras let you see exactly what the dentist sees on the screen during your visit.
Invisalign
Clear aligners straighten teeth with removable trays that are hard to spot. They suit high school students and adults who would rather skip metal braces.
TMJ Treatment
Clenching through a stressful stretch can leave the jaw sore by evening and make chewing tiring. Dr. Jee Sun Kim's certifications include facial rejuvenation for TMJ and orofacial pain therapy, so care can address the muscles as well as the bite.
For a brighter look without veneers, professional teeth whitening lifts coffee and soda stains under a dentist's supervision. It is often a first step for anyone who wants a noticeable change without altering tooth structure.
Meet Your Lansing Dental Team
Dr. Jun Soo Shin grew up in Honolulu and focuses on complex treatment planning, digital dentistry and implants. Dr. Jee Sun Kim practiced for many years as a general dentist in Chicago and the suburbs, and Dr. Eric (Jee Hwan) Kim, DDS, completes the team.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Most private dental insurance is accepted, and the office is in-network with Delta Dental Premier and DPPO. Medicaid and HMO plans are not accepted. Uninsured patients can join the Smiles For Miles VIP membership, which covers exams and necessary x-rays each year.
Smiles For Miles is great! The team is so friendly and made me feel super comfortable. The doctor was awesome and the hygienist cleaned my teeth beautifully. 10/10 experience!
Olivia T.
My family has been using Smiles For Miles for almost 12 years now and we love them. The doctors are the best. The team is excellent and helpful. Try them out, you won’t be disappointed.
Christine A.
I had a great experience at Smiles For Miles! The doctor and dental assistant were very kind and professional. The office team is also very friendly and the office is always decorated for different holidays. I would highly recommend this practice to anyone looking for a new dentist in Lansing, IL.
Gabe B.
Yelp
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Smiles For Miles from Calumet City, and how do I get there?
The drive from Calumet City Hall is about 4.6 miles and takes roughly 10 minutes. Go west on Pulaski Road for half a mile, then turn left and follow Burnham Avenue south about 4 miles. For anyone choosing a dentist in Calumet City, IL, that single long stretch makes the trip easy to remember.
What can a Calumet City adult do about missing back teeth?
A dental implant, a bridge or a partial denture can all fill the gap. Dr. Jun Soo Shin, a board-certified prosthodontist, explains which option suits your bone, gums and budget. New patients can book a free implant consultation first. Replacing back teeth matters, because gaps let neighboring teeth drift and make chewing harder.
Can an uninsured Cal City resident get a low-cost emergency exam?
Yes, a $49 emergency exam and x-ray is available. It applies to new patients without dental insurance, it must be mentioned when you book, and it cannot be combined with other offers. The visit identifies the source of the pain so you know what comes next.
Will Spanish-speaking parents from Calumet City be understood at the front desk?
Yes, our team speaks Spanish. Parents can book, ask about insurance and go over a treatment plan in Spanish. That makes it easier for bilingual households in the city to bring children and grandparents to the same office without needing someone else to interpret.
Which days work for someone who works until late afternoon?
Wednesdays and Thursdays are the strongest choices, since the office stays open until 7:00 PM on both days. An after-work drive down Burnham Avenue is quick, so there is time to arrive without rushing. On alternating Fridays and Saturdays, morning hours from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM offer another option.
Schedule Your Visit from Calumet City
Whether it is a routine cleaning, a cosmetic upgrade or a tooth that just started hurting, our team is ten minutes down Burnham Avenue. People comparing a dentist in Calumet City, IL can reach us at 708-991-3981 to set up a first visit. Our areas we serve page lists every nearby town, and our Dentist Lansing, IL homepage covers the full practice.
