Chicago Style Smiles

I have been seeing Dr. Dow at Chicago Style smiles for a couple years now. I have a serious phobia of all dental procedures… even basic cleanings. Dr. Dow and his staff do an amazing job at making me feel comfortable and relaxed while there. They are always prepared and running on time. I have never had to sit and wait (stressing) about my visit like I have at other offices. The office itself is lovely with beautiful views. It is very clean and seems very much up to date as far as their equipment and technology is concerned. Dr. Dow’s demeanor is very friendly and approachable. He seems to really care about each patients individual needs and concerns and will work with you to have the best experience possible. I highly recommend this office if you are looking for a dentist.

Dr. Dow was really great. He spent an hour with me on my first appointment. He did more tests and took more photos on this check-​up than any other dentist I have been to. He explained everything to me, and we walked through my issues. Highly recommended!

I am writing a review after my appointment with Doctor Dow. I am very pleased with the treatment overall. Dr. Dow was extremely careful and treated my teeth accordingly. I would have definitely go back. However, I am EXTREMELY upset with the receptionist, who, when I first called, advised me they cover ALL PPO. I specifically asked Delta Dental of IL. They did not inform me that they cover only the Premier and not the PPO package and I ended up paying more than I would have paid elsewhere. Extremely dissatisfied with the handling of insurance/​payment. I don’t think I am going back to them any time soon…

First time patient with Dr. Rohan and Anna. Spent nearly 90 mins with me, walking through every x-​ray, condition of teeth and gums, etc. Never has a dentist been so thorough and willing to engage in a dialogue about health and patiently explaining detailed information in understandable terms.
The whole office staff was friendly and professional. I will be returning for more visits.

Fantastic practice! I have never been comfortable with Dentist’s until coming here. Dr Dow does an amazing job of making you feel relaxed prior to doing anything. Explains everything that is going to happen, why it is going to happen, and provided me with options. Engaging and honest is exactly what I need! You do not feel rushed at any time during the appointment. The end result has left me wanting to go back every 6 months for my check up!
Thank you Chicago Style Smiles!

This review has been about 4 years in the making. I’ve never written a review on Unilocal… but it would be a crime if I didn’t give up my «Yelp reviewing virginity» to write this one. Rather than try to outdo the poetic hyperbole of some other reviewers for other dentist offices («Jesus returned to earth last year, and now he does my teeth cleanings every 6 months»), let me just tell you my story:
When I was a teenager and throughout college, I didn’t have dental insurance for a number of years. In addition, I wouldn’t say I’ve always had the best eating habits (a 2 Liter of Coke really helps write those papers at 1 AM) or the best dental hygiene («Does floss have an expiration date?»). By the end of college, I had a number of minor, lingering dental problems that, over time, had snowballed into some major dental issues (deep cavities, a cracked tooth, etc.).
I moved to Chicago after school and had great insurance with my new job. A logical human being would have immediately rushed to the dentist to get their problems fixed… so what did I do? Nothing, of course. Absolutely nothing… for an entire year. I know many people struggle with FOMO («fear of missing out»); I would say I struggle with FOFO («fear of finding out»). I was scared. And embarrassed. Scared to find out how bad the problems really were and embarrassed about how long I had let those problems linger.
Finally, the latent anxiety (which was totally exhausting) and constant prodding from my wife forced me into the dentist. I read great reviews of «Chicago Style Smiles» online but was very skeptical… and definitely not looking forward to the shaming and lecturing that I thought were sure to come. In my first appointment, I remember how anxious I was waiting to hear Dr. Rohan’s assessment of my x-​rays. To my surprise, there was no judgment: he was honest, understanding, professional, and optimistic. He said something to the effect of «we’ve got a lot of work to do, but here’s the plan» and «you’ve got a great shot to keep almost all of your teeth for your entire life». Everyone — from the assistants to the office staff — were so sincere and caring in that first appointment. I’ve moved a dozen times in my life and, as a result, have been to dozens of different dentist and doctors offices; I had never seen an entire team that was simultaneously so capable and so caring.
For scheduling reasons, I started seeing Dr. Dow as my primary dentist a few years ago. Over the last few years, I’ve had almost every type of work you can imagine completed by Dr. Dow and Dr. Rohan: cleanings, fillings, crowns, and root canals. The quality of the work? Perfect. Every time. By last summer, I was finally back to «neutral» with my teeth. After all those years of anxiety, it was an amazing feeling. Such an amazing feeling, in fact, that, for the first time, I started to think about doing something positive for my teeth rather than just trying to «play defense». All my life, I’ve had crowded and crooked teeth (e.g., my canines would stick up and out like vampire fangs), so, 12 months ago, I asked Dr. Dow about teeth straightening with Invisalign.
Fast forward 12 months. A few weeks ago, I completed my Invisalign treatment, and I couldn’t be happier… I never imagined my once-​crooked teeth could look so amazing! I never experienced the «joy» of braces as a child, but I have to say, I can’t imagine teeth straightening being easier than Invisalign… and, as a bonus, I probably lost about 15 lbs during the treatment (due to the discipline of the process). I completed the Invisalign treatment with Dr. Dow and Diana. As you can imagine, I’ve had quite a few visits over the last year; I see Dr. Dow more than I see my own mom. I honestly doubt you could find a more friendly guy in the healthcare profession than Dr. Dow. I saw him out around town last fall and he bought dessert for me and my wife (…how bada$$ is a dentist that buys dessert for you?). He also recently honeymooned in Europe and then took the time to send me a detailed email with recommendations for a similar trip. I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I genuinely enjoy going to the dentist now; at this point, it really feels like I’m just going to catch up with a friend.
I really can’t believe how far I’ve come in a few short years. I actually enjoy going to the dentist now. More importantly, I love my teeth (which is a minor miracle). This office not only fixed my teeth but helped make them better and straighter than I ever imagined they would be! I can’t thank everyone in the office enough for that — especially Dr. Dow, Dr. Rohan, Diana, and Shelli & Maryellen.
If you’ve been putting off visiting the dentist out of fear and anxiety, or if you’ve always wanted awesome, straight teeth, do yourself a favor and just schedule one appointment with these guys. I know you’ll love them… and I know you’ll be thrilled with the results!

I used to be completely terrified to go to the dentist, until I met Dr. Dow and the staff at Chicago Style Smiles — they are simply the best around! Dr. Dow is skilled and trustworthy. He takes careful note of things to watch and will not do a procedure until it is absolutely necessary, which saves a lot of time and money. Also, the front desk staff at Chicago Style Smiles make everything so easy — from scheduling appointments to billing — and Maryellen and Shelli are so nice and welcoming! Everyone is so kind and personable — they take the time to get to know you and remember things about you and ask you about them on your next visit. I have recommended Dr. Dow to several of my co-​workers and friends and they rave about him! If I could give more than 5 stars I would.

Dentist Rohan and his staff are the best! He takes great care in thoroughly explaining and showing you what stage your teeth and gums are in and what steps it will take to get them healthy. My wife has been putting off work for years because of fear of the dentist. She finally followed my advice to see him. She loves him and raves about how nice he is and how painless her experience has been. HIGHLY recommended!

This is simply the best dental office. Dr. Dow is terrific. I have seen him for a routine cleaning and to get a couple of cavities taken care of. He is extremely knowledgeable, quick yet thorough, friendly and professional. For my cavities, he explained the procedure, put me at ease and had an excellent way of engaging me and making me feel like an old friend. He totally comes off like he actually cares about his patients, remembers details about their lives: seriously great ‘bedside’ manner. The rest of the staff is just adorable, efficient and understanding. Maryellen and Shelli at the Front Desk are very friendly and nice.
From the reception staff to the hygienist to the dentist — Chicago Style Smiles is a great dental office. I almost didn’t want to post this review here out of fear that my favorite place will be completely booked when I need to come in — but this dental practice is just too good not to share!

Dr. Dow and the amazing staff of Chicago Style Smiles have shown me that going to the dentist doesn’t have to be scary and can even be – dare I say it – a pleasant experience. Dr. Dow is a total professional whom I trust completely: He has never performed any dental work on me that I did not personally approve of and understand the costs for. No matter your dental history, these people are kind, understanding, and exceedingly skilled at making you comfortable in the dental chair and (with some cooperation on your part) happy with your smile.

I don’t know why I haven’t reviewed their office sooner, but by the looks of all the 5 star reviews, I’m not the only one who feels this way.
The entire staff is fantastic Maryellen and Shelli are always so nice when you check in. Mary, Jenni and Diana take your comfort into consideration and are very helpful. Can I just say that Mary even remembered me when I had braces and she worked at my orthodontists office… when I was 12. Maybe I still look like I’m in high school, but I find it really impressive that she remembered!
Now onto the dentists! I originally started seeing Dr. Rohan 5 years ago and switched to Dr. Dow because he had Friday appointments. Both are fantastic and kind. Dr. Dow always makes me laugh and he’s very thorough. He doesn’t do unnecessary work to increase insurance billing and is comfortable watching a problem area. I had a broken tooth right before the new year and Dr. Dow fixed it in a quick appointment, explained everything he was doing and showed me before and after pictures.
I’m in the health care field myself, so it’s a testament that I recommend this office all the time to my colleagues and patients. They treat me like a person, not just a mouth with pearly whites (which I credit to you as well) and I appreciate each visit. I also like the goody bags (ahem chap stick and toothbrushes!)
The office is across the street from Millennium Park overlooking the bean so it’s quite the view! Although I’m not sure if Dr. Dow can even see that far because he hasn’t had an eye exam in ages… bad dentist!

Most people judge their dentists by how nice they are. A nice guy who makes you feel at ease = 5 stars! This is a flawed approach, because some dentists will be extremely nice while needlessly recommending expensive, uncomfortable procedures. In fact, in my experience, some of the best-​reviewed dentists on Unilocal are some of the most aggressive billers. What really matters is trust and competence. Does your dentist have your interests at heart? Is he any good? It’s hard to tell.
That said, I (generally) trust Dr. Dow.
My previous dentist claimed I needed two root canals and/​or crowns on both my lower back molars once I got my wisdom teeth pulled. He referred me to an oral surgeon who claimed the procedure had no risks! So I dropped both of them.
I went to Dr. Dow and it turns out that I had a cavity in one of my lower back molars and I didn’t need a root canal. He saved me a bunch of money. And he’s a really nice guy. If he wanted to scam you, I’m sure he could do so while convincing you he’s the greatest guy in the world.
Also, I should mention that my first appointment with him was the most thorough of any I had with a dentist. I learned a lot about my teeth.

Dr. Dow is honest, friendly, professional and always looking at ways to save money on procedures. He explains all procedures to you before going ahead. He corrected things that my previous dentist failed to fix. Prices are very reasonable. The staff is warm and also friendly. Chicago Style Smiles has an excellent atmosphere.

I’ve been to see Dr Dow 3 times now — once for a (long) overdue routine cleaning, and 2 follow-​up visits for some fillings (shame on me for holding off so long!).
Everybody at the office is super-​friendly and accommodating. The office runs like a well-​oiled machine: very little wait times, plenty of attention from the dentists.
Dr Dow does great work — he explained everything too me, took a lot of pictures, and went to extra mile to make sure I was as comfortable and happy as possible. I had zero residual pain after the numbness from my drilling procedures wore off, and my bite was perfect.
Convenient location, in-​and-​out in a jiff, and great service — what more could you ask for?

I was referred to Dr. Rohan by a friend, and her glowing recommendation did not disappoint! Not only did I need a new dentist for basic cleaning, but I also had some cosmetic concerns to discuss with the doctor.
My first appointment lasted a good hour. The staff was incredibly thorough (and kind!) in my first cleaning– taking x-​rays, and making sure everything was copacetic. Dr. Rohan spent a long time examining each and every tooth and it was nice to see the corresponding x-​rays on the flat screen as he walked me through the exam. He is great at explaining everything in a detailed yet understandable manner, and also answering any questions you may have.
After discussing my options for cosmetic adjustments, I decided to get some bonding done to fill in some small gaps between my top four teeth. The appointment for the bonding took about an hour, and was smooth and painless. I still cannot believe what a difference such a small amount of work made; I’m more confident than I have ever been with my smile and I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to do it than Dr. Rohan. He did an outstanding job not only filling in the gaps, but also making sure all the teeth aligned and matched perfectly. I had one very tiny piece of bonding come out weeks later while I was flossing, and Dr. Rohan fixed it free of charge!
I have already recommended Chicago Style Smiles to anyone and everyone looking for a dentist in Chicago. The staff is friendly and efficient, and you couldn’t ask for a better dentist.

Dr. Dow is the best dentist in Chicago! After trying out another dentist in the loop and being disappointed, my husband suggested I try his dentist, Dr. Dow. I arrived a little bit late, but his receptionist was pleasant and understanding instead of being flustered.
Dr. Dow was extremely friendly and welcoming. He reviewed all of my records and x-​rays with me and explained what he would be doing that day. Also, instead of a hygienist cleaning my teeth, Dr. Dow explained that he likes doing the first cleaning so that he can get to know the patient and their needs. I’ve never heard of a dentist taking the time to do this, and was very impressed.
Dr. Dow answered all of my questions and explained any next steps and recommended how to reduce wear and brush best for my teeth. My husband and I also both received a credit for referring/​being referred, which was a bonus.
At the end of my pain-​free exam, Dr. Dow walked me out and with genuine concern and said that he hoped my dental experience was good in their office — and it was 100% fabulous! His receptionist then cheerily booked my next appointment and wished me a nice day.
It’s odd to say «I can’t wait to go back to the dentist», but with such clean teeth and a positive experience, I’m looking forward to my next visit at Chicago Style Smiles.

Great dentist. Super nice. Super flexible. I really enjoy going here and I HATE the dentist. Most of the technicians are good, though one is a little judgmental. Ask for a new one if you don’t like the one you get assigned.
So flexible, they are really great.

I wish I could give Dr. Dow 7 stars, and let me tell you why. I am a true phobic when it comes to a dentist. I have had a countless number of bad experiences! Really bad! I have had some true weirdos in my mouth! But after today, I think if I would have met Dr. Dow 20 years ago, I would have perfect oral health.
It is something to be said of a dentist who is both patient and professional. It is even more when the tone and timbre of someones’ voice is equally relaxing. I was scared to death to have a tooth extracted, and I am scared to death to return in a few weeks — but I am going back because I need to and because I have a sneaky suspicion that things will go as smoothly as they did today.
If anyone out there has an aversion to the entire dental profession (like me), try Dr. Dow. In statistics there is no such thing as 100% confidence, but I can say at the 99% level that if you’re scared, try Dr. Dow first. You probably won’t go any place else.

When I finally retained health insurance again I immediately made an appointment to get this set of teeth looked over. It’d been quite some time since I’d ventured to the dentist. I loathe them and have no fond memories of past dental endeavors.
Onto the substance of this longwinded tale.
The office staff, they’re amazing. Kind, warm, understanding and sympathetic. Free samples of floss (because, really, who buys that stuff?) and the latest fancy toothpaste. Even their own chapstick (I’m an addict). First impression of the office, the place was actually welcoming. Appointment was easily made and a friendly reminder granted the day prior. Walking in the door, kind and healthy smiles greeted me. Five stars.
My assigned dentist was Dr. Dow. Both he and his assistant were gracious and set me at ease. After reading my intake form (in which I dutifully noted with bold print and a harsh looking emoticon that I was ludicrous and insanely afraid of everything «dental» related) they both began explaining that dentistry has a bad rap. It’s not all it’s made out to be in the media or in film and it’s not something to be anxious about. Five Stars
The treatment was extensive, I had neglected and decayed my teeth with reckless abandon and for that I wasn’t even shamed, just informed. Five stars.
Cleaning and cavities. Three visits total. Enormous bill. But, where can you really get affordable dental care? That doesn’t exist. Least I don’t know where both great care and affordable cost coincide. If you know send me a message. I had to pay a ton out of pocket, insurance was maxed out. However, he didn’t insist on pulling my wisdom teeth like every other dentist does and he didn’t tell me I needed an $ 800 bite guard for the grinding I don’t do at night. Legit. Four Stars. (I didn’t make the follow-​up because I just couldn’t afford it… sorry Dr. Dow).
Months later, I’m in Buenos Aires searching for a kind and gentle dentist that can keep me up to par in the same manner. Thanks to all for the quality work and amazing and professional demeanors. You proved, after all, that a trip to the dentist really does beat tying my teeth to the doorknob with a long string and giving it a swift shove to numb the pain. Forever grateful folks, forever.

Dr. Dow has helped save my front teeth! WITHOUT Veneers!
A previous dentist had done a number on my front tooth repairing and re-​repairing a front tooth cavity. It then turned into a root canal, which gave me discomfort for years. The front tooth had discolored badly and was finally in need of attention when my husband recommend that I try his dentist.
Dr. Dow not only saved my tooth but he is an excellent dentist. He is extremely detail oriented, went over every one of my teeth on my initial exam and explained to me why any tooth had a problem and how they could be treated.
While people may complain about cost, I am a firm believer in «you get what you pay for». I got top notch treatment and to be able to smile and not have to hide an ugly tooth or have to yank any out is worth the money.
This guy basically rebuild a tooth that looked like swiss cheese and it looks and feels awesome. Unlike my old dentist who was not only rough with my mouth, but did a sloppy and lazy job on many of my filling.
My point, don’t accept lousy service, there are awesome dentists out there like Dr. Dow who will do a decent job and make you feel at ease while working on you. I’m very relieved to find someone that is reliable and who really takes pride in his work.