Convenient Access from Highland
Getting from Highland to Smiles For Miles takes one long road and about 13 minutes. Point the car west on Ridge Road, follow it through Munster and over the state line into Lansing, and you are nearly at our door. For neighbors searching for a dentist in Highland, IN, that simple route puts specialty-trained care within easy reach.
The trip begins at Highland Town Hall, the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road. A short drive out to Grace Street puts you on Ridge Road heading west, and almost immediately you pass Main Square Park with its gazebo. From there Ridge Road runs nearly 4.9 miles in a single line, through the heart of town, across Munster and into Illinois.
Turn left onto Burnham Avenue in Lansing and go half a mile south. You will cross 186th Street, then reach 18610 Burnham Ave Ste D, Lansing, IL 60438, just before Otto Street. Altogether the drive covers about 5.5 miles and takes roughly 13 minutes, with no toll road along the way. Save us in Google Maps, and see the directions we wrote for nearby Griffith and Munster.
Why a Ridge Road Practice Suits Highland Neighbors
Ridge Road is more than a convenient route. It runs along the highest land in town, and farther west, in Munster and Lansing, it follows the Calumet Shoreline, an ancient Lake Michigan shoreline. Our office sits just half a mile south of the road. That makes the drive easy to remember.
The town has a strong sense of its own history. Ohio pioneers Michael and Judith Johnston settled here in 1847, and the town grew after railroad trackage arrived in the early 1880s. Dutch settlers moved in from nearby Munster, a story honored by a 1992 state historical marker on Kleinman Road. When the town incorporated on April 4, 1910, just 304 people lived here.
We bring a similar long view, with three generations of dentistry in this area dating back to 1946. That history shapes how we work. We would rather explain options clearly and plan a few steps ahead than rush a decision.
Quality of life is a big part of the town's appeal. Wicker Memorial Park, dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in 1927, offers an 18-hole golf course and about three miles of trails. The Erie Lackawanna Trail follows a former rail line through downtown, and the library system serving Lake County, Indiana, runs a branch on Jewett Street.
Sleep, Jaw Comfort and Long-Term Dental Health in Highland
Highland's median age is a little over 40, and the local school district runs four elementary schools, a middle school and Highland High School, established in 1957. That mix of growing kids and middle-aged parents shapes the care people look for. Adults in their 40s and 50s often start paying closer attention to sleep, jaw comfort and older dental work.
Two concerns come up often at that stage of life: snoring and jaw tension. Disrupted sleep can affect the whole household, and clenching or grinding can leave the jaw sore by morning. Our team evaluates both concerns. Dr. Jee Sun Kim holds certification in facial rejuvenation for TMJ and orofacial pain therapy.
Restorative planning matters as well. Patients who have lost several teeth, or whose dentures no longer feel secure, can ask about fixed new teeth on a full arch. Planning starts with imaging, including 3-D cone beam scans and panoramic x-rays described on our technology page.
Know someone in town who has been putting off a checkup? Our refer-a-friend program gives you and the friend you refer $50 each.
Core Services From a Nearby Dentist in Highland, IN
TMJ Treatment
Clicking, popping or aching around the jaw joint deserves a proper look. Dr. Jee Sun Kim's TMJ and orofacial pain certification guides how we evaluate those symptoms. Patients with morning headaches or a sore bite can start with an exam.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Snoring that wakes a partner, or daytime fatigue that never lifts, can signal a sleep-breathing problem. Our dentists explain the dental options available. An evaluation is the first step.
Preventative & General Dentistry
Checkups and cleanings protect the investment you have already made in your smile. Families can plan visits around school and work, with Wednesday and Thursday hours until 7 PM. Digital x-rays help us spot changes early.
Dental Implants
Implants replace a missing tooth with a post that sits in the jawbone and supports a crown. Our board-certified prosthodontist brings implant-focused graduate training to the planning. Single-tooth and multi-tooth options are both available.
Meet Your Lansing Dental Team
Before practicing in Lansing, Dr. Jun Soo Shin completed NYU's accelerated BA/DDS program, received the New York Academy of Oral Rehabilitation Award and was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Today he is a board-certified prosthodontist and an American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine member. Dr. Jee Sun Kim and Dr. Eric (Jee Hwan) Kim, both DDS, complete the team.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Our office participates with Principal, Lincoln Financial Group and Kansas City Life, along with Delta Dental, Cigna Total Plus and MetLife. We verify your coverage before you arrive and handle the claim paperwork afterward. Medicaid and HMO plans are the exception; we do not accept them.
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 Highland, and how do I get there?
Highland Town Hall is about 5.5 miles from our office, roughly 13 minutes by car. Take Ridge Road west through Munster and across the state line, then turn south on Burnham Avenue for half a mile. One familiar road covers nearly the whole trip, which makes our office an easy alternative to a dentist in Highland, IN itself.
How often should adults have dental x-rays?
Most adults need bitewing x-rays about once a year and a fuller set every few years, though the timing depends on your history. Someone with frequent cavities or gum disease may need them more often. The office uses digital x-rays and sensors, and the images help the doctor catch decay between teeth before it can be seen.
Can loud snoring be a dental issue for the whole household?
Yes, snoring can be linked to sleep-disordered breathing, which dentists help evaluate. Dr. Jun Soo Shin is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and our team can talk through dental treatment options. If a spouse or partner notices pauses in breathing, it is worth mentioning at your next visit.
Are porcelain veneers a good fit for Highland adults with chipped or stained front teeth?
They can be. Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of the teeth to change their color, shape or length. They suit healthy teeth with chips, stains or small gaps, while teeth with large areas of decay may need crowns instead. A consultation shows which option fits your smile and budget.
What should a Highland resident do about a broken filling?
Call the office soon, even if it does not hurt, since a broken filling leaves the tooth open to decay and further cracking. Avoid chewing on that side and keep the area clean. Depending on how much tooth remains, the doctor may replace the filling or recommend a crown. New patients without insurance can ask about the $49 emergency exam.
Schedule Your Visit from Highland
If you were planning to search for a dentist in Highland, IN, consider the short trip down Ridge Road instead. Call 708-991-3981 to set up your first appointment, and let us know if you have insurance details handy. Our areas we serve page lists every community we welcome, and our homepage has more about Dentist Lansing, IL care. Town news and services are on the Town of Highland website.
