Convenient Access from South Holland
When an old crown loosens or a bridge finally gives out, finding a dentist in South Holland, IL starts to feel urgent. Smiles For Miles is about 12 minutes away in Lansing, where a board-certified prosthodontist plans implants, crowns and dentures. The office has served families on this side of the Calumet region since 1946. Getting here takes one short expressway hop and a few familiar turns.
Begin at South Holland Village Hall, 16226 Wausau Ave, right beside the public library. Take Wausau Ave to East 162nd St, which is US 6, and head east for about 1.2 miles past Thornton Township Hall. Join I-94, the Bishop Ford Freeway, heading south; it flows onto the Kingery Expressway (I-80/94) for roughly 2 miles, and you exit at Torrence Ave (IL 83). Go south on Torrence for under a mile, turn left on Ridge Rd past Lansing Village Hall, then turn right on Burnham Ave for the last half mile.
All told, plan on roughly 12 minutes for the 6.4-mile drive, a bit longer at rush hour. You will find us at 18610 Burnham Ave Ste D, Lansing, IL 60438, and the Smiles For Miles map listing is handy for turn-by-turn guidance. Patients from Thornton and Harvey use parts of the same route.
Why Established South Holland Homeowners Choose Us
South Holland is a village of houses rather than apartments. Nearly every home is single-family, and about four in five are owner-occupied. The median age sits in the low forties, and roughly one resident in five is 65 or older. People here tend to stay, and they often want a dental office that will still be around for the next decade of their care.
That kind of continuity is something we understand. The practice, formerly Pallotto Dental Care, has served the area for three generations, and you can read how it began on our story page. The name on the sign changed, yet the commitment to steady, careful dentistry carried forward.
This Cook County village has its own long memory. Dutch immigrants settled the low ground near the Calumet River in 1846 and called it de Laage Prairie, or Low Prairie, before incorporating in 1894. By the 1940s it was known as the Onion Set Capital of the World, and Edna Ferber set her 1925 Pulitzer Prize novel So Big here. The Village of South Holland still describes itself with the motto Faith, Family, & Future.
Younger households are part of the picture too. Thornwood High School has stood on South Park Ave since 1971, and South Suburban College, which began in 1927 as Thornton Junior College, keeps its main campus in the village. Weekend afternoons often mean a walk through Veterans Memorial Park or Paarlberg Park. A dental office that handles both a parent's crown and a college student's cleaning makes life simpler for these families.
Restorative Concerns We Often See in South Holland Smiles
Teeth that have worked hard for fifty or sixty years show it. Large old fillings crack, crowns placed long ago wear thin at the edges, and gaps from past extractions let neighboring teeth drift. Any one of these can change how you chew, how you speak and how you smile. The good news is that each one has a reliable fix when it is caught early.
Missing teeth deserve special attention. Once a tooth is gone, the bone beneath it slowly shrinks, which can make later implant placement harder. Our office uses 3-D cone beam imaging to see bone height and nerve position before an implant is planned. That detail helps the doctor compare an implant, a bridge or a set of dentures for your situation.
New patients can start with a free implant consultation to learn about implant options. It is a low-pressure way to ask questions, see the options side by side and leave with a clear plan. Most people appreciate having that conversation before deciding anything.
Health history matters as well. Many adults take medicine for diabetes, blood pressure or blood clotting, and each can affect the gums or the way a mouth heals. Bring an up-to-date medication list to your first visit. The doctors use it to plan treatment that fits your overall health, not just the tooth in question.
How We Help Anyone Looking for a Dentist in South Holland, IL
Dental Implants
An implant replaces a missing root with a post that supports a natural-looking crown. Dr. Shin's UIC training included a master's degree with an implant focus, so complex cases stay under one roof in Lansing.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
Replacing a decades-old crown or bridge is one of the most common requests we hear from longtime homeowners. A new restoration can protect a cracked tooth, close a gap and bring back an even bite.
Preventative & General Dentistry
Regular cleanings protect the crowns and implants you already have, since gum disease can undermine both. VELscope oral cancer screening is part of the exam toolkit, a sensible step for adults of any age.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Loud snoring and restless nights can point to a breathing problem during sleep. Dr. Shin belongs to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and can talk through dental approaches with patients who struggle with sleep.
These four services cover most of what established homeowners need, but they are not the whole menu. The same office also treats jaw pain, straightens teeth with clear aligners and handles urgent visits when something breaks. One exam is enough to map out a plan that covers the next several years.
Meet Your Lansing Dental Team
Dr. Jun Soo Shin, DDS, MS, FACP is a board-certified prosthodontist, a specialist in replacing and restoring teeth. He completed a three-year Advanced Education Program in prosthodontics at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Jee Sun Kim and Dr. Eric Kim round out the team, so routine visits and complex restorations happen in the same office.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Smiles For Miles is in-network with Delta Dental Premier and Delta Dental PPO, along with several other major carriers. Before your appointment, the front desk confirms your benefits so you know what your plan covers. CareCredit and Cherry financing can spread the cost of larger restorative work over time.
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 South Holland, and how do I get there?
It is 6.4 miles from South Holland Village Hall, roughly a 12-minute drive. Take 162nd St (US 6) east to I-94 south, ride the Kingery Expressway to Torrence Ave, then follow Ridge Rd east and Burnham Ave south. Anyone looking for a dentist in South Holland, IL will find that the trip is mostly a quick interstate stretch.
Is a root canal worth it for a South Holland patient with an infected tooth?
Usually, yes, if the tooth can be saved. A root canal removes the infected pulp, seals the canals and stops the infection from spreading, and a crown then protects the tooth. Keeping a natural tooth avoids the gap that an extraction leaves behind. An exam with x-rays shows whether the tooth is a good candidate.
Can a retired South Holland resident get a morning appointment?
Yes. Monday and Tuesday hours begin at 9 AM, and alternating Friday and Saturday mornings start at 8 AM. Those early hours suit South Holland retirees who like to finish errands before lunch. Wednesday and Thursday run from noon to 7 PM for anyone who would rather come in the afternoon.
Can a South Holland patient replace an old bridge with an implant?
Often, yes, though bone level and gum health decide it. Dr. Shin explains whether an implant, a new bridge or another option fits best. New patients can book the free implant consultation first, which gives you a full picture of the choices before you commit to any treatment.
What if dentures made years ago no longer fit well?
A new set or an adjustment can usually help. The gums and jawbone change shape after teeth are lost, so dentures that once fit snugly can loosen and rub. Our doctors check the fit, discuss a replacement and explain implant-supported options for anyone who wants teeth that stay firmly in place.
Schedule Your Visit from South Holland
Booking a dentist in South Holland, IL takes one call to 708-991-3981, whether you need a checkup, a crown evaluation or your implant consultation. You can also see the full list of areas we serve or start at our Dentist Lansing, IL homepage.
