Convenient Access from Homewood
Head east from Homewood's Village Hall and you can reach Smiles For Miles in Lansing in about 17 minutes. For anyone deciding on a dentist in Homewood, IL, our office brings a board-certified prosthodontist onto the same team that handles cleanings and checkups. That matters when a plan involves crowns, dentures or implants, and Wednesday and Thursday appointments run until 7 PM.
Begin at Village Hall on Chestnut Road, a block from the 1923 train depot and close to the Homewood Public Library on Dixie Highway. Take Dixie Highway a short way, continue on Vincennes Avenue, Harwood Avenue and Maple Road, then turn onto Ashland Avenue. Head east on 175th Street for about a mile, near the Izaak Walton Preserve, and follow Halsted Street (IL 1) to the I-80 ramp.
Ride I-80/I-294 east for about 2.4 miles, crossing Thornton Quarry on a dike, then continue onto the Kingery Expressway (I-80/I-94) and exit at Torrence Avenue. Torrence leads south to Ridge Road; go east about a mile and turn south on Burnham Avenue to reach 18610 Burnham Ave Ste D, Lansing, IL 60438. All told, the drive covers 8.9 miles. We also care for patients from Thornton and Glenwood.
Rooted in Railroad History, Ready for Every Generation
The village grew around the railroad. In the 1920s it became an important Illinois Central depot town, and many railroad workers settled here. Canadian National still keeps its American headquarters in Homewood, along with a large freight yard and major shop facilities.
Our practice has deep local roots as well. Smiles For Miles has served the area since 1946, a legacy now three generations long, and longtime residents may remember it as Pallotto Dental Care. Patients who have kept the same dentist for decades will find that continuity still matters to us.
Homewood sits in Cook County alongside Flossmoor and Hazel Crest, and many families send their teens to Homewood-Flossmoor High School, which opened in 1959. Younger students attend Willow, Winston Churchill and James Hart Junior High in School District 153. From routine cleanings to denture fittings, our office cares for patients at many stages of life. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District maintains 32 parks across more than 365 acres, so a walking path is never far from home.
The depot on Park Avenue is served by Metra Electric and by Amtrak's City of New Orleans, Illini and Saluki trains, and it is home to a railroad park museum. Ridge Road, another local landmark, runs along the sandy shoreline of prehistoric Lake Chicago, formed by retreating glaciers long before Lake Michigan. The village incorporated in 1893 and marked its centennial in 1993.
Planning Ahead for Healthy Teeth in a Settled Community
This is an established village where the median age sits in the early 40s, and nearly one in five residents is 65 or older. Over the years, fillings wear, crowns age and missing teeth start to affect how you eat. A careful exam with panoramic x-rays shows the whole picture, from the jaw to each individual tooth.
For patients who have lost several teeth, there are more choices than ever. Removable dentures remain a reliable option, while fixed new teeth on a full arch attach to implants and stay in place. Dr. Shin, our prosthodontist, helps you weigh comfort, upkeep and cost.
New patients can book a free implant consultation to learn whether implants make sense before committing to anything. Evening hours on Wednesday and Thursday, from noon to 7 PM, help working family members drive a parent to that visit. Monday and Tuesday run 9 AM to 4 PM, and Friday and Saturday alternate with 8 AM to 2 PM hours.
Family members often help with these decisions, and they are welcome to join the conversation. Bring a list of medications, any older dental records you have and the questions on your mind. We would rather spend time answering them than have you leave unsure.
Restorative and Routine Care for Patients Choosing a Dentist in Homewood, IL
Dental Crowns & Bridges
Older crowns and large fillings eventually need attention. A new crown restores the shape of a weakened tooth, and a bridge fills a single gap using the teeth on either side. Homewood patients get restorations planned by a specialist in tooth replacement.
Preventative & General Dentistry
Cleanings and exams protect the teeth you have, whatever your age. Each visit includes a look at gums, existing dental work and any changes since last time. Small repairs now help avoid larger ones later.
Dental Implants
An implant anchors a replacement tooth in the jaw, so it feels steady when you chew. Dr. Shin earned his master's degree with an implant focus at the University of Illinois Chicago. One implant can replace one tooth, and several can support a full arch.
Porcelain Veneers
Front teeth can chip, stain or wear down over decades. Thin porcelain veneers refresh their color and shape while keeping a natural look. They suit patients who want a brighter smile for a family celebration or simply for themselves.
Not sure which of these fits? A checkup is the easiest place to start. The doctors share what they see on intraoral camera images, so you can look at a cracked filling or a worn edge yourself before choosing a next step.
Meet Your Lansing Dental Team
Restorative dentistry is where Dr. Jun Soo Shin, DDS, MS, FACP focuses, as a board-certified prosthodontist and a member of the American College of Prosthodontists. During NYU's accelerated BA/DDS program he was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Jee Sun Kim, DDS, and Dr. Eric (Jee Hwan) Kim, DDS, practice alongside him.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Implants and dentures can be a significant investment, so the office offers financing through CareCredit and Cherry. The team checks your benefits before your visit and files the claims, and Delta Dental Premier and DPPO are both in-network. Medicaid and HMO plans are not accepted.
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 Homewood, and how do I get there?
Smiles For Miles is 8.9 miles from Homewood Village Hall, about a 17-minute drive. The route follows 175th Street and Halsted Street to I-80, then the Kingery Expressway, Torrence Avenue, Ridge Road and Burnham Avenue. For patients deciding between a dentist in Homewood, IL and our Lansing office, most of the trip is expressway.
Can Homewood patients get a 3-D scan before implant surgery?
Yes, the office uses 3-D cone beam imaging to plan implants. The scan shows bone height and width and the position of nerves and sinuses, details a flat x-ray cannot show. That lets the doctor choose the implant size and angle before treatment begins and spot any need for added bone.
Can Homewood retirees keep their own teeth longer with more frequent cleanings?
Often, yes. For people prone to gum disease, cleanings every three or four months help keep it under control, and gum disease is a common reason older adults lose teeth. The doctor checks gum pockets at each exam and recommends a schedule based on what they find. Dry mouth from medications is worth mentioning too.
How should I care for a new dental crown?
Brush and floss around it just like a natural tooth, paying attention to the gumline where the crown meets the tooth. Avoid chewing ice and very hard candy, which can chip porcelain. If the bite feels high or the crown feels loose, call the office so the doctor can check it before it causes trouble.
What can I expect from a free implant consultation?
Expect a no-cost first meeting for new patients who are considering implants. You can talk through which teeth are missing, how long they have been gone and what you hope to achieve. The doctors then explain the options that fit your situation, from a single implant to a full arch, so you can decide without pressure.
Schedule Your Visit from Homewood
To book with a dentist in Homewood, IL residents can reach in under 20 minutes, call 708-991-3981. You can explore every town on our areas we serve list, or visit our Dentist Lansing, IL homepage for more on the practice.
