Convenient Access from Griffith
Most of the way from town to Smiles For Miles is a single street pointed west. Follow it for about 16 minutes and you reach our office in Lansing, just past the Illinois line. Residents who begin their search for a dentist in Griffith, IN are often surprised how simple the drive is. There is no interstate to merge onto and no toll to pay.
From Griffith Town Hall at 111 N Broad St, go north on Broad St for just under a mile, then turn left onto 45th Ave and pass the Griffith-Calumet Township Branch Library. Keep heading west as 45th Ave turns into 45th St, which carries you about 5 miles through Highland and Munster, close by Franciscan Health Munster. At the state line the road becomes Glenwood-Lansing Rd; after 0.7 mile, turn right onto Burnham Ave and drive north for a mile past Lansing Municipal Airport. Count on 7.9 miles and about 16 minutes in total.
The office is at 18610 Burnham Ave Ste D, Lansing, IL 60438, and you can save our location in Google Maps before you leave. If you live closer to the town line, patients from Highland and Schererville make a similar trip. Weekday rush hour adds a few minutes along 45th St.
Why Griffith Neighbors Cross the State Line for Care
The town grew up around the railroads, and its history shows it. According to the Town of Griffith, the name may come from a Grand Trunk Railroad surveyor whose 1870s survey area became known as Griffith's Section. Chicago businessmen Jay and Elmer Dwiggins founded the town in 1891 and promoted it as Chicago's Best Factory Suburb. Incorporation followed on November 19, 1904.
Rail lines shaped the place. Broad Street once crossed six railroads and 13 tracks, for a time called the busiest railroad crossing in the country, and the town still goes by The Town That Came to the Tracks. Griffith Historical Park and its Depot Museum, dedicated in 1995, keep that story alive with an EJ&E caboose beside the saved Grand Trunk depot.
Today the town is home to a mix of young families and longtime residents, with a median age in the late thirties and roughly one person in five under 18. Kids move through Wadsworth Elementary, Beiriger Elementary and the combined junior and senior high school. Busy households like these want a dental office with flexible hours and a team that explains things clearly. Ours has been serving the region since 1946.
Weekends here often revolve around the town's parks. Central Park sits close to Town Hall, and Cheever, Panther, South, Tot and Woodland parks round out the list. Families who spend their Saturdays at ball fields and playgrounds tend to appreciate a dental office that also opens on alternating Saturday mornings.
Smile Goals Adults Bring to Our Chair
Many adults reach their thirties and forties wishing they had fixed a crowded tooth or a dull smile years ago. The good news is that it is rarely too late. Clear aligners, professional teeth whitening and veneers can each change how a smile looks, and the right choice depends on your teeth, your timeline and your budget. A consultation is the easiest place to sort that out.
Each option works a little differently. Whitening brightens the natural tooth color and suits teeth that are already straight and healthy. Veneers cover the front surface, which helps with chips, small gaps and stains that whitening cannot lift. Aligners move the teeth themselves, so they make sense when crowding or spacing is the real issue.
Jaw trouble is another common complaint. Clenching during stressful workdays or grinding at night can leave the jaw sore, trigger headaches and wear down tooth enamel. Dr. Jee Sun Kim is certified in facial rejuvenation for TMJ and orofacial pain therapy, so these problems are handled by someone with focused training.
There is one less thing to worry about when scheduling, too. Like the rest of Lake County, Indiana, the town runs on Central Time, the same clock as our office. A 5 PM Wednesday appointment means 5 PM on your phone, with no conversion needed once you cross into Illinois.
Cosmetic and Comfort Care for Patients Seeking a Dentist in Griffith, IN
Invisalign
Clear aligners move teeth gradually and come out for meals, and there are no brackets or wires to adjust. New patients can book a free Invisalign consultation to talk through their goals.
Porcelain Veneers
Thin porcelain shells cover chips, gaps or stubborn stains on the front teeth. They suit adults who want a noticeable change without months of orthodontic work.
TMJ Treatment
Clicking, aching or a jaw that tires while chewing can point to a joint problem. Treatment starts with finding out what is driving the pain, from clenching to bite issues.
Preventative & General Dentistry
Every cosmetic plan sits on top of healthy teeth and gums. Routine cleanings and an intraoral camera exam catch small problems early, keeping your smile investment protected.
Cosmetic work often goes hand in hand with comfort. A patient who comes in about a sore jaw may also want straighter teeth, and someone starting aligners may want a brighter shade at the end. Planning these together saves trips across the state line and gives you one clear timeline from first visit to finished smile.
Meet Your Lansing Dental Team
Dr. Jee Sun Kim completed a seven-year joint program at Adelphi University and the NYU College of Dentistry and practiced for many years as a general dentist in Chicago and the suburbs. She is certified in Invisalign and believes strong patient relationships lead to better care. Dr. Jun Soo Shin, a board-certified prosthodontist, and Dr. Eric Kim complete the team, so restorative needs can be handled in the same office.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Cosmetic work is easier to plan when payments can be spread out. Smiles For Miles offers CareCredit and Cherry financing and accepts cash, checks and most major credit cards. If you have private dental insurance, the office checks your benefits before the visit and handles the claim paperwork.
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 Griffith, and how do I get there?
The office is 7.9 miles from Griffith Town Hall, a drive of about 16 minutes. Go north on Broad St, west on 45th Ave and 45th St, which becomes Glenwood-Lansing Rd at the state line, then north on Burnham Ave. Anyone choosing a dentist in Griffith, IN can make that whole trip on surface streets.
Do Griffith patients need a referral for a tooth extraction?
No, extractions are handled right in the office, so most patients need no outside referral. The doctor takes x-rays first to see the roots and plan the removal. Afterward, the team explains replacement options such as an implant or a bridge, so the gap does not let neighboring teeth shift.
Can Griffith adults who dislike metal braces straighten their teeth with Invisalign?
Yes, Invisalign uses clear removable aligners instead of brackets and wires. Dr. Jee Sun Kim is certified in Invisalign and reviews whether your bite and spacing suit treatment. New patients can begin with a free Invisalign consultation. You take the aligners out to eat and brush, then wear them for most of the day.
Do Griffith patients need a separate specialist for jaw pain?
No. Dr. Jee Sun Kim is certified in facial rejuvenation for TMJ and orofacial pain therapy, so jaw care happens in the same office as your cleanings and cosmetic work. Patients who wake up with a sore jaw, hear clicking when they chew or get frequent headaches can book an exam to find the source of the strain.
When can a Griffith family book a weekend appointment?
On alternating Fridays and Saturdays, from 8 AM to 2 PM. The two days trade off week to week, so the front desk will confirm which is open. Weekday options run 9 AM to 4 PM on Monday and Tuesday and noon to 7 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, all on Central Time.
Schedule Your Visit from Griffith
Choosing a dentist in Griffith, IN who sits just across the state line keeps your drive short and your evenings flexible. Call 708-991-3981 to set up a cleaning, a TMJ exam or your free aligner consultation. You can also explore the other towns we serve or visit our Dentist Lansing, IL homepage.
