Getting an orthodontist near your house makes a big difference in how you feel about your treatment. Long drives to regular dentist appointments are a pain and take time away from family or personal interests. People who live in Round Lake and surrounding areas should be able to get great orthodontic care without having to travel across the region. We built our practice around this idea: we bring modern clear aligner treatment to the areas where families live and work.
Convenience is key when you’re getting orthodontic treatment because you need to go in for regular check-ins to make sure everything is on track. During your treatment these check-ins are usually every 6-8 weeks. When your orthodontist is just a few minutes from your home or work it’s easy to fit these appointments in. You can go during your lunch hour, stop by before work starts or bring your kids right after school without having to change your whole schedule or take a lot of time off from other things you need to do.
We offer full range of orthodontic services to patients in the Round Lake IL area, all customized to their unique needs and goals. Our clear aligner treatment is one of our most popular treatments and we’ve helped many patients get beautiful smiles with it. We promise to stay current on the latest research and technology on clear aligners which is always changing. Our team takes professional development courses regularly to make sure every patient gets care that is up to current orthodontic standards instead of old methods.
When choosing an orthodontist you need to think about more than just how close you are. When you make your choice you should think carefully about the quality of care, professional expertise and real commitment to patient satisfaction. We at Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry combine technical skill with real care for each person who trusts us with their smile. Our doctors have done extra training in orthodontics and are active members of professional organizations. Our patients benefit immediately from our commitment to continuing education since it leads to better outcomes and more comfortable treatment.
The clear aligner process starts with a thorough consultation where we check your oral health and listen to what you want to achieve. Digital scanning technology takes pictures of your teeth without the uncomfortable impression materials that many people remember from past dental visits. These scans go into advanced planning software that shows you the whole treatment from start to finish. One great thing about current clear aligner treatment is you can see a preview of the outcome before you start. This picture makes people feel more confident and excited about the change that’s coming.
Customization is what we do best with clear aligner treatment. Your treatment plan is unique so each set of aligners is made just for your mouth. As you go through the process each new aligner puts a certain amount of pressure on certain teeth to move them. This slow process is more comfortable than making big changes all at once but still works. Most patients get used to wearing aligners fast and say they are much less uncomfortable than traditional metal brackets connected by adjustment wires.
Many parents wonder if clear aligners are a good idea for their teens. The answer is mostly dependent on how mature the young person is and how well they can follow directions. Teen patients must show they are responsible by wearing their aligners as directed every day because they can be taken off. Teens that care about their oral health and follow the rules usually do well with clear aligner treatment. For teens that might have trouble following the rules traditional bracket systems like Invisalign might be a better choice. We look at each case individually and suggest the best course of action for the best results.
Clear aligner treatment doesn’t often lead to emergencies but knowing your orthodontist is close by makes you feel better. Sometimes aligners get misplaced or broken and being able to see a specialist right away keeps your treatment on track. We address critical issues and keep lines of communication open for any questions that come up between your scheduled appointments. That’s what makes practices that really care about their patients different from those that are just trying to get as many patients as possible.
Being part of the community has a big impact on how we think about our work. We live and work in the same neighborhoods as the families we help and support local schools, youth sports and charities. Being connected to our community makes us accountable and motivates us to always provide great care. When we work on your smile we think of you as a neighbor and member of the community not just another name on the appointment book. That perspective affects everything we do.
Technology makes therapy more accurate and efficient but can never replace the human element of good healthcare. We use the latest tools to produce better outcomes but never forget about the person behind the smile. We listen to your questions and give you intelligent answers. We care about how you feel during treatment. We strive for perfection because we want you to be happy with the end result. Those are the rules we live by.
Orthodontic treatment is a process that takes months not just one visit. Having a reliable spouse who lives close by makes the trip easier and more enjoyable. We would love to meet with you, learn more about your issue and talk about how clear aligner treatment can change your smile. Distance should never keep you from getting good orthodontic care and we work hard to make sure everyone in the area can get it. Dr. Derek Bock is a trusted orthodontist in Forest Hill, IL, dedicated to creating confident, healthy smiles through personalized and compassionate care.