Getting orthodontic care near where you live or work makes a big difference in how you feel about treatment. Long commutes to the dentist can add stress to already crazy schedules and make it feel like a burden rather than a priority to go to the dentist regularly. If you live in Gurnee and the surrounding areas you should be able to get great orthodontic care without having to travel far. We started our clinic with this simple idea in mind: to deliver clear aligner treatment to the neighborhoods where families live and work every day.
Convenience is key when you’re in orthodontic treatment because regular checkups ensure everything is on track. These appointments happen every 6-8 weeks while you’re working on getting a straighter smile. When your orthodontist is just a short drive from your home or office, it’s easy to accommodate these appointments into your schedule.
We’re happy to provide full orthodontic care to the greater Gurnee, IL area with treatments tailored to each individual. Clear aligner therapy is one of the most requested treatments we get and we’ve helped many get results with this method. The technology behind clear aligners is changing fast and we promise to stay up to date. To make sure every patient gets care according to current orthodontic standards not old ones our team is always learning and training.
When choosing an orthodontist you should think about more than just how close they are. When you make your choice you should think a lot about the quality of care, the depth of experience and the commitment to making patients happy. At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry we combine our technical skills with a real care for the health of everyone who trusts us with their smile. Our doctors have gone through a lot of training in orthodontics and are still members of professional organizations. Our patients get better results and more comfortable experiences because we are always learning.
The first step in getting clear aligners is to have a full consultation where we check your oral health and listen to what you want to achieve. Digital scanning technology takes clear pictures of your teeth without the nasty impression materials that many patients remember from earlier dental appointments. These scans go into advanced planning software that makes a map of your whole treatment from start to finish. One of the coolest things about current clear aligner therapy is you can see what your results will look like before you even start treatment. This picture makes you feel confident to go ahead.
Personalization is what guides how we do every part of clear aligner treatment. Your treatment plan is used to make each set of aligners just for your mouth. As you move through the series each new aligner puts pressure on specific teeth to move them in the right direction. This slow strategy is softer than making rapid, forceful changes yet it still gets the job done. Most patients get used to wearing aligners quickly and say they hurt a lot less than traditional metal brackets connected by wires.
Many parents ask if clear aligners are a good choice for their teens. The answer really depends on how mature and responsible the young person is. Teenage patients must show the discipline to wear their aligners every day because they can be taken off. Teens who follow directions and take pride in taking care of their teeth usually do quite well with clear aligner treatment. All About Braces might be a better choice for young people who have trouble following rules. We look at each case separately and recommend the best course of action based on the patient’s personality and habits.
Clear aligner therapy doesn’t often cause emergencies but it’s nice to know your orthodontist is close by. Sometimes aligners get lost or broken and being able to get in quickly will help you stay on track with your treatment. We meet urgent demands and keep the lines of communication open for questions that come up between your regular appointments. This level of accessibility sets practices that really care about their patients apart from those that are just trying to see as many patients as possible.
Everything we do at our practice is driven by our connection to the community. We live in the same communities as the families we help and we support local schools, youth groups and community projects. This relationship makes us accountable and motivates us to provide great care every day. We don’t just see you as another appointment when we treat your smile; we see you as a friend and neighbor. That kind of view changes everything we do.
Technology makes treatment more accurate and efficient but it can never replace the human touch in caring for patients. We use technology to get better results but we never forget there is a person behind the smile. We use technology to get better results yet we never forget how you feel during treatment. We care a lot about your comfort during therapy. Our commitment to quality is based on your happiness with the end results. Every decision we make as a profession is based on those principles.
Orthodontic treatment is more like a journey that lasts for months than a single event. It’s easier and more fun to make that trip when you have a reliable partner who lives close to you. We’d love to meet you, hear about your needs and tell you how clear aligner treatment can change your smile. No matter where you live you should always be able to get good orthodontic care. We work hard to make sure everyone in the area who needs our services can get them. Dr. Derek Bock is a trusted orthodontist in Forest Hill, IL, dedicated to creating confident, healthy smiles through personalized and compassionate care.