Welcome to Smiles of Niles Family Dental, where families across Niles and the surrounding communities come for honest, comfortable dental care. If you're searching for family dentistry in Niles and wondering what your first appointment looks like, we want you to feel informed and at ease before you even walk through our doors.
New Patient Welcome
Welcome to Smiles of Niles Family Dental, where families across Niles and the surrounding communities come for honest, comfortable dental care. If you're searching for family dentistry in Niles and wondering what your first appointment looks like, we want you to feel informed and at ease before you even walk through our doors.
Your first visit is more than a routine check-up. It's the start of a relationship built on trust, clear communication, and a treatment plan designed around your specific needs, your budget, and your schedule. Whether you're bringing your kids for their very first cleaning or you're looking for a new dentist for yourself, our team takes the time to listen before we recommend anything.
We designed this page to walk you through exactly what happens at your appointment, what our team looks for during your exam, what forms you can complete ahead of time, and what to bring with you on the day you arrive.
At your first appointment, our dentist will conduct a thorough, unhurried examination of your mouth, teeth, and supporting tissues. We're not just looking for cavities; we're building a complete picture of your oral health so that every recommendation we make afterward is backed by real information. Here's what goes into that exam:
We review your overall medical history to understand any conditions, allergies, or past treatments that could affect how we approach your dental care.
Certain medications affect gum health, healing, and sedation options, so we check your current prescriptions before recommending any treatment.
We evaluate the soft tissues of your head and neck to check for swelling, asymmetry, or other signs that may point to a larger health concern.
Every new patient receives an oral cancer screening. Early detection makes a measurable difference in outcomes, and it takes only a few minutes.
We check every surface for signs of tooth decay, worn enamel, or areas that need attention before they turn into bigger problems.
Once the exam is complete, we sit down with you and talk through what we found, and what your options look like in plain, understandable terms.
Digital Records & Planning
As part of your comprehensive exam, we also capture the records our dentist needs to plan your care accurately. This isn't a one-size-fits-all process; the images and scans we take give us a precise, current view of your teeth and bite so nothing gets missed.
A complete set of low-radiation digital X-rays lets us see below the gumline, between teeth, and inside the bone to detect decay and other issues early.
We capture bite models and clear intraoral photographs to evaluate how your teeth line up and identify wear, crowding, or alignment concerns.
Our iTero 3D scanner produces a highly detailed digital model of your smile, giving us precise data for restorative work, aligners, and long-term planning.
Once your exam and records are complete, we put everything together into a customized treatment plan. Think of it as a roadmap: it lays out exactly what needs attention now, what can wait, and what steps come next so you can achieve and maintain the healthiest version of your smile. We'll walk you through the timeline, the cost, and any insurance considerations before a single procedure is scheduled, so there are no surprises.
After your treatment plan is completed, we don't just send you on your way. We recommend a personalized re-care schedule, typically built around routine cleanings and checkups, so small issues get caught before they become bigger, more costly problems. Keeping this schedule is one of the simplest, most effective things you can do for your long-term oral health.
Save Time at Check-In
To make your first visit as smooth as possible, please complete our new patient forms before you arrive. Filling these out ahead of time means less paperwork in the waiting room and more time for your dentist to focus on you.
Fill Out Your Forms HereOn the day of your appointment, please bring the following so our front desk team can check you in quickly and get you back to your appointment on time:
We recommend arriving about 15 minutes early for your first appointment. Our office is located at 876 Civic Center Dr, Niles, IL 60714, United States, and we're open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and Saturdays by appointment. If you have any questions before your visit, give us a call at 847-583-1900.
Common Questions
Here are a few questions our team hears often from new patients considering family dentistry in Niles. If you don't see your question answered here, feel free to call us directly.
Please bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport, along with your dental insurance card if you have one. If someone else holds the insurance policy, please also bring their employer information, identification number, and date of birth. Completing our new patient forms ahead of time will also speed up your check-in significantly.
Most first visits at Smiles of Niles take between 60 and 90 minutes. This gives us enough time to complete a comprehensive exam, capture digital X-rays and any necessary scans, and sit down with you to discuss your treatment plan without feeling rushed. Arriving 15 minutes early with your forms already completed helps everything move smoothly.
We recommend calling ahead whenever possible so we can prepare for your visit and minimize your wait time, but we understand that dental pain and emergencies don't wait for a convenient moment. Call our office at 847-583-1900 and let our team know what's going on; we do our best to work urgent cases into the same-day schedule.
In most cases, yes. A complete set of digital X-rays, bite models, and intraoral images helps us evaluate your teeth and gums thoroughly, and our iTero 3D scanner gives us a precise digital model of your smile when it's needed for treatment planning. These records become part of your file, so future visits can be compared against a clear baseline.
We work with a wide range of dental insurance plans and are happy to verify your benefits before your appointment. If you have questions about your specific coverage or would like a cost estimate for treatment, our front desk team can help you understand your options over the phone at 847-583-1900.
Yes. Smiles of Niles is a family dental practice, and we welcome patients of all ages, from young children on their first visit to grandparents. We tailor the exam and communication style to fit each patient's comfort level, so kids and nervous adults alike leave feeling at ease.
Your Smile Awaits
Schedule your visit with Smiles of Niles today and experience dental care that's gentle, modern, and genuinely welcoming.