Convenient Access from Hammond
Hohman Avenue and Ridge Road connect the city to Smiles For Miles in Lansing, and the drive takes about 10 minutes without touching an interstate. A chipped tooth, a checkup that is overdue or a smile you want to straighten are all good reasons to look for a dentist in Hammond, IN who is close and easy to reach. Our three-doctor office sits just across the state line, and new patients without insurance can start with a $49 emergency exam and x-ray.
Leave Hammond City Hall at 5925 Calumet Avenue, across the street from Hammond Central High School, by way of Highland Street. Turn south on Calumet Avenue (US 41) for about 0.6 miles, then go west on 165th Street for roughly 0.7 miles. At Hohman Avenue, turn south and settle in for the longest leg, about 2.25 miles down into Munster.
Hohman meets Ridge Road in Munster. Turn right and head west for just under a mile, crossing the state line into Lansing along the old Calumet Shoreline ridge. A left onto Burnham Avenue takes you half a mile south to 18610 Burnham Ave Ste D, Lansing, IL 60438, just past 186th Street. Expect about 5.1 miles and 10 minutes overall; open the office in Google Maps, or compare the drive for Calumet City and Hegewisch.
Close-By Dental Care for a Busy City
Hammond is a big place by Northwest Indiana standards. It is the state's eighth-largest city, and it stretches from the Lake Michigan shore south to the Little Calumet River. It is also the only Indiana city that shares a border with Chicago, which shapes how residents work, shop and get around.
The city grew up around industry. German farmers settled between the Grand and Little Calumet rivers around 1847, and the community later formed around a meatpacking plant that used patented refrigerated railcars to ship its meat. It incorporated as a town in 1883 and became a city in 1907.
Water defines much of the map. The city touches Lake Michigan to the north, shares Wolf Lake with Illinois and includes Lake George, while the Little Calumet River marks its southern edge. The lakefront Horseshoe casino, which opened as Empress Casino in 1996, draws visitors from across the region. Like the rest of Lake County, Indiana, the city keeps Central Time, so the appointment time we confirm matches the clock at home.
Since 1946, this practice has cared for three generations of patients from both sides of the state line. We focus on clear explanations, honest options and appointments that respect your time. Our team also speaks Spanish, so families who are more comfortable in Spanish can talk through treatment in the language they prefer.
Younger Households, Students and Commuters: Dental Needs in Hammond
The city skews younger, with a median age in the mid-30s. That means plenty of young adults, new parents and students. Purdue University Northwest runs a 194-acre urban campus here, established in 1946, and its students juggle classes, jobs and tight budgets.
For younger patients, the most common dental worries are practical ones. A cracked molar before a final exam, wisdom-tooth soreness or a crown that suddenly loosens should not be left to linger. Our $49 Emergency Exam & X-Ray is open to new patients without insurance; mention it when you book, and note that it can't be combined with other offers.
Commuting habits matter too. Hammond Gateway station opened on October 18, 2024, replacing the old Hohman Avenue stop, and it now connects the South Shore Line's Lakeshore and Monon corridors. Riders who get home in the late afternoon can still make an appointment on Wednesday or Thursday, when we stay open until 7 PM.
When decay reaches the nerve, root canal therapy can often save the natural tooth instead of removing it. Our digital x-rays and intraoral cameras let you see the problem on screen, so you understand exactly why a treatment is being recommended.
How We Care for Each Patient Seeking a Dentist in Hammond, IN
Emergency Dentistry
Toothaches, broken teeth and lost fillings need attention quickly. Call as soon as a problem starts and describe what happened, so the team can advise you on next steps. From City Hall, the office is roughly 10 minutes away.
Invisalign
Clear aligners suit young professionals and students who want straighter teeth without metal brackets. Dr. Jee Sun Kim is certified in Invisalign. New patients can begin with a free consultation.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
A crown rebuilds a cracked or heavily filled tooth, and a bridge fills a gap using the teeth on either side. Our board-certified prosthodontist brings specialty training to both. Each one restores a tooth's shape and function.
Preventative & General Dentistry
Regular cleanings and exams are an affordable way to head off emergency visits later. Parents can book checkups for themselves and their kids in the same week. Digital x-rays keep each visit efficient.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers reshape and brighten front teeth that are chipped, worn or uneven. They are a lasting option for adults who want a confident smile for interviews and photos. A consultation sets realistic expectations first.
Meet Your Lansing Dental Team
Your care comes from a three-doctor team: Dr. Jun Soo Shin, Dr. Jee Sun Kim and Dr. Eric (Jee Hwan) Kim. Dr. Shin is a board-certified prosthodontist who belongs to the ADA, the Chicago Dental Society and the Illinois State Dental Society. Dr. Jee Sun Kim values strong patient-doctor relationships, which matters when you are nervous about a first visit.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Surprise dental bills rarely arrive at a good time, so we offer CareCredit and Cherry financing for larger treatment. Most private dental insurance is welcome, though we do not take Medicaid or HMO plans. Cash, checks and most major credit cards work as well.
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 Hammond, and how do I get there?
It is about 5.1 miles from Hammond City Hall, typically a 10-minute drive. The route runs south on Calumet Avenue, west on 165th Street, south on Hohman Avenue, west on Ridge Road and south on Burnham Avenue. Patients searching for a dentist in Hammond, IN can reach us across the state line on ordinary city streets.
What does professional teeth whitening involve?
Professional whitening uses a stronger gel than store kits, applied under the dentist's supervision so the gums stay protected. A checkup first makes sure cavities or gum problems are treated before whitening. Crowns and fillings do not lighten, so the doctor plans the shade change around any existing dental work.
Should I see a dentist for a cracked tooth that does not hurt?
Yes, call as soon as you notice the crack, even without pain. Chewing pressure can make a small crack spread, and an early exam usually means a simpler repair. New patients without insurance can book the $49 Emergency Exam and X-Ray, as long as they mention it when scheduling.
Can Hammond families talk with the team in Spanish?
Yes, our team speaks Spanish. Parents can ask questions, review treatment plans and handle scheduling in the language they find most comfortable. That helps when a child needs care or an older relative wants to understand an implant or denture plan in detail, without relying on a family member to translate.
Can a Hammond resident with no insurance still afford regular cleanings?
Yes, the Smiles For Miles VIP membership was designed for that. It is an annual in-office plan that covers exams and necessary x-rays and adds discounts on other services. For larger work, CareCredit and Cherry financing can spread the cost into smaller payments, and the office accepts cash, checks and most major credit cards.
Schedule Your Visit from Hammond
Finding a dentist in Hammond, IN that fits your schedule starts with one call to 708-991-3981, and the drive is only about 10 minutes. Tell us if you are a new patient or have an urgent problem, and we will guide you to the right appointment. See every community we serve on the areas we serve page, or head to our homepage for Dentist Lansing, IL information. City services and news are on the City of Hammond website.
