Dentist in Chicago who will do a good job fixing my teeth?

March 27, 2023 9:26 AM

I have bad teeth due to a combination of genetics, a weird (unfluoridated) hippie childhood, and a lackluster approach to oral care in my 20s. I haven't been to a dentist in a decade. I finally have great dental insurance. Could you recommend a really great dentist in Chicago who could help me get my teeth back into shape? Or any recommendations for how to find a good dentist?

My teeth are really quite bad: chipped teeth, old fillings that have come out, damage from grinding, and some visible cavities.

I don't necessarily need someone with a super gentle bedside manner. Unlike a lot of folks in this situation, I don't have much dental anxiety. I'm just disorganized and never had good dental insurance.

Any recommendations for a a dentist who is nice and will do a really great job fixing my teeth?

posted by cimton to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

Here's an answer on finding dentists that I gave recently, there may be something in that thread that you find useful.
posted by aniola at 9:40 AM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

I see Sandy Barr in the Loop and have referred multiple friends (and mefites) to his practice. I've never personally required major dental work since I've been under his care, but I like him a lot and so do the folks I've sent to him. His office reinvests in tech and CE, he's got his FAGD, his hygienists are all dental nerds, and the staff is helpful.
posted by phunniemee at 9:54 AM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

FYI: If you have Delta Dental, dentists in my area are leaving their network in droves. They'll probably ask, but make sure you get confirmation they'll take your insurance. One of my providers got me in early before the cutoff date when they would become out-of-network.
posted by credulous at 8:13 PM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

I go to Northside Dental at 5820 N Clark. The outside of their office is solid but unassuming, and I was really pleased with my entire experience there. Very clean and modern setup, equipment-wise (at least to my untrained eye) and the hygienist and dentist I saw were both professional and nicely mannered. I didn't get any major work done, but I recommend them.
posted by SoberHighland at 4:20 AM on March 28, 2023

I was in your exact situation two years ago, and am one of the mefites that phunniemee referred to Sandy Barr. I received compassionate, thorough care (including much needed crowns and scaling), and a plan for treeatment going forward that I've actually stuck with because they make the experience so pleasant. They are booked far in advance, but they will put you on the waitlist in case appointments open up sooner than yours. My hygenist is Kristen, and I recommend her as strongly as Dr Barr.

phunniemee is right -- it truly is an office full of dental nerds! They are passionate about what they do and want you to be passionate about your oral health, too. They explain EVERYTHING and don't pressure you.
posted by Westringia F. at 4:56 PM on April 1, 2023