Convenient Access from Dyer
Plan on about 10 minutes to reach Smiles For Miles from the center of town, with one quick hop over the state line into Lansing. Families comparing options for a dentist in Dyer, IN may find our Illinois office closer than expected. Our team offers general, cosmetic and implant care, plus a free Invisalign consultation for new patients.
From Dyer Town Hall at One Town Square, head west on Joliet Street, the stretch of US 30 the town calls its main thoroughfare. You pass Franciscan Health Dyer at 24 Joliet Street, then cross into Illinois, where the same highway becomes Lincoln Highway for just under a mile. Keep straight as it becomes Glenwood-Dyer Road (IL 83) for about half a mile, then turn north on Burnham Avenue.
Burnham carries you nearly 3 miles north, past Lansing Municipal Airport and its historic 1927 Ford Hangar, to 18610 Burnham Ave Ste D, Lansing, IL 60438. The whole trip runs 5 miles and takes roughly 10 minutes, with no toll road involved. The office is on Burnham between Otto Street and 186th Street, a little over half a mile south of Ridge Road. Save the office in Google Maps for the first trip, and see how we serve neighboring Lynwood and Sauk Village.
A Border-Town Practice That Fits Dyer Life
The town has always been a crossing point. The original State Line House faced the old Sauk Trail, lodging travelers bound for Chicago and later housing Union soldiers overnight during the Civil War. The town takes its name from Martha Dyer Hart, wife of Philadelphia publisher Aaron Norton Hart, who settled here in 1857. Residents voted 57 to 35 to incorporate in January 1910, and the town became official that February.
Crossing that line for a dental visit is easier than many people assume. Both sides keep Central Time, because Lake County, Indiana is one of the state's Central-time counties. A 4:30 appointment on our calendar means 4:30 on your kitchen clock. There is no mental math before you leave home.
The road itself carries some history. In 1923 a 1.5-mile "Ideal Section" of the Lincoln Highway was finished here as a model for road building, with a 40-foot paved width and 10-inch reinforced concrete. A state historical marker near Joliet Street and Calumet Avenue tells the story. Today that same US 30 corridor is the first leg of your drive to our office.
Smiles For Miles has its own long story. The practice has served the area since 1946, across three generations, and our team includes a board-certified prosthodontist alongside two general dentists. That puts a wide range of training under one roof, a few minutes from home.
Family Schedules, Commutes and Dental Care in Dyer
This is very much a family town. Most households are married couples, and many children move through the Lake Central School Corporation, from Bibich Elementary and Kahler Middle School to Lake Central High School in St. John. Students with packed calendars and parents juggling practice schedules both need appointments that work around a busy week.
That is why our Wednesday and Thursday hours stretch from noon to 7 PM. A student can leave Kahler Middle School, and a parent can finish the workday, and still make a cleaning or an Invisalign check. Fridays and Saturdays alternate, with morning hours from 8 AM to 2 PM, which helps on weeks packed with games and lessons.
The town is also home to plenty of longtime residents, with roughly one in five people aged 65 or above. For them, crowns, implants and regular screenings take priority over cosmetic changes. Our 3-D cone beam imaging gives a clear picture of bone and nerve position before any implant is placed.
Commuting patterns are shifting too. The South Shore Line's new Monon Corridor began running to Munster/Dyer station on March 31, 2026, and the town also has an Amtrak stop on the Cardinal route. Rail commuters who get home in the late afternoon can still reach us before our evening close on Wednesday or Thursday.
Services Families Want from a Dentist in Dyer, IN
Invisalign
Clear aligners straighten teeth without brackets, which suits teens at Lake Central and adults with client-facing jobs. Dr. Jee Sun Kim is certified in Invisalign. New patients can start with a free consultation.
Preventative & General Dentistry
Routine exams, cleanings and digital x-rays keep small problems from turning into big ones. Families can book checkups on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, after school and work. Regular visits also give us a baseline to compare against each year.
TMJ Treatment
Jaw clicking, morning headaches and soreness while chewing can point to a TMJ problem. Dr. Jee Sun Kim holds certification in TMJ and orofacial pain therapy. An exam sorts out the likely cause before any plan is suggested.
Porcelain Veneers
Thin porcelain shells can cover chips, gaps and stubborn stains on front teeth. Some patients plan them ahead of weddings, reunions and milestone photos. A consultation shows whether veneers or a simpler fix fits your goals.
Dental Implants
An implant replaces a missing tooth from the root up and does not rely on the neighboring teeth. Dr. Shin trained in implant dentistry during his MS at the University of Illinois Chicago. Planning begins with a 3-D scan.
For a quicker cosmetic lift before a big event, professional teeth whitening brightens enamel under a dentist's supervision.
Meet Your Lansing Dental Team
Dr. Jee Sun Kim, DDS, holds certifications in Invisalign and in facial rejuvenation for TMJ and orofacial pain therapy. Her path into dentistry ran through a joint program at Adelphi University and NYU, where she also earned a public health certificate. Prosthodontist Dr. Jun Soo Shin and Dr. Eric (Jee Hwan) Kim, DDS, complete the three-doctor team.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Have Delta Dental through work? We are in-network for both its Premier and DPPO plans, and we also participate with Cigna Total Plus, MetLife and several other PPOs. Our staff confirms benefits ahead of time and submits claims on your behalf. The full list, plus CareCredit and Cherry financing, is on our finance and insurance page.
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 Dyer, and how do I get there?
The drive from Dyer Town Hall is 5 miles and takes roughly 10 minutes. Go west on Joliet Street (US 30), which turns into Lincoln Highway in Illinois, follow IL 83 briefly, then head north on Burnham Avenue. Patients who started out searching for a dentist in Dyer, IN find the drive needs just one real turn, onto Burnham, and no toll road.
Can Dyer retirees replace loose dentures with implant-supported teeth?
Often, yes. Dentures that slip can be anchored to a few implants, or a whole arch can be replaced with fixed teeth that stay in place. Dr. Jun Soo Shin, a board-certified prosthodontist, plans these cases using 3-D cone beam imaging. New patients can start with a free implant consultation to compare the options.
What should a Dyer resident do if a permanent tooth gets knocked out?
Pick up the tooth by the crown, rinse it briefly without scrubbing and try to place it back in the socket, or keep it in milk. Then call the office right away, because the first hour matters most. New patients without insurance can book the $49 emergency exam and x-ray when they mention the offer at scheduling.
How do I know if I need a crown instead of a filling?
A crown is usually the better choice when a large part of the tooth is gone, cracked or weakened by a root canal. A filling works well for smaller areas of decay where plenty of healthy tooth remains. X-rays and an intraoral camera let the doctor show you which situation applies before any work begins.
Is the free Invisalign consultation open to patients who live in Indiana?
Yes, the free Invisalign consultation is offered to every new patient, wherever they live. During the visit, we look at your bite and alignment and explain how clear aligner treatment would work for you. Dr. Jee Sun Kim is certified in Invisalign. There is no obligation to start treatment afterward.
Schedule Your Visit from Dyer
Skip the long search for a dentist in Dyer, IN, since our office is about 10 minutes away. Call 708-991-3981 and our front desk will find a time that suits your week. Browse every community we welcome on our areas we serve page, or start at our homepage for Dentist Lansing, IL care. For more on the town's past, the town's official history page is worth a read.
