Modern Dental on Division

Everyone is extremely friendly and it’s very easy to make an appointment. The whole process was quick and painless, even getting a filing was nothing to complain about. Maybe since I found a great dentist I will actually start going to check-​ups every 6 months.

Five star plus review for Modern Dental! Finally found an awesome dental practice thanks to a friends referral. Super easy to make an appt, all patient and insurance info can be done online which is great. The staff were all smiles when I first arrived and Dr Palella and hygienist Lauren were awesome! So kind and very informative. Office was modern and relaxing, made going to the dentist a breeze! The exam rooms have comfortable chairs, tv and you don’t even have to leave your chair for X-​rays! Yes that’s right, the X-​ray machine is built right into the wall. Definitely will be recommending this office and Dr Palella to all of my friends!

I have seen my fair share of dentists over the years thanks to my insurance changing yearly. I have only seen 2 that have really made feel comfortable in that chair! I have never enjoyed going to the dentist (I don’t know many people that do), but at Modern Dental I feel extremely comfortable! From the moment you walk in the door the receptionists greet you with a smile & the dental assistants are very nice and professional. Dr. Palella is excellent! I’ve seen him 3x now and each time has been an even better experience than the last! I saw him tonight to get an OLD cavity cleaned out, and refilled. He had told me I could bring in my headphones to help drown out the noise of the drill, since I said that it would make me nervous –of course I forgot them. He was kind enough to let me borrow a pair of headphones (which he sanitized first) to make sure I had some tunes to listen to! It was the perfect distraction, because the short procedure was over before I even realized it!
The parking situation isn’t ideal, but I’ve been there early enough (5−6p) and always found street parking easily right in front. My only thumbs down is that I’ve never gotten a «goodie-​bag» while there for my cleanings… Haha
Highly recommend giving Dr. Palella and his fantastic staff a shot!

Just wanted to say thank you to the staff at Modern Dental! My insurance made a pretty big mistake and are still holding ME accountable. Modern Dental stepped in and worked with me to take care of it. They called my insurance countless times & helped me every time I called the office. I’d recommend them to anyone!

Some of these reviews would really make me think twice about coming here– however this has been my dental office for the 4 years I have lived in Chicago and I have very few complaints.
The biggest complaint is that when I first started coming here, I lived in the neighborhood– therefore I walked. Now that I have to drive– ack! Parking is a NIGHTMARE. Be warned.
Only once or twice have I had to wait for an appointment. Also, they’ve been really good about getting me in if I had any sort of urgent problem.
Dentists and hygienists have all been nice, for the most part. Last year I did have a hygienist who, when it was time to polish my teeth, only did some of them (?). And when I said, um, aren’t you going to do the rest? She said, «I do selective polishing. I only clean the ones that need it.» Granted on the spot I didn’t really know what to say– I said, um, ok. And left. But in hindsight, wtf? I pay you to clean my teeth. ALL OF THEM. I was just there a month ago for a cleaning and said to my hygienist, last time I was here, the lady who did my cleaning said she does «selective polishing» and she did only some of my teeth… is that a thing you guys do?” And she looked sort of confused and said, no we clean all of them. So I think I got a lazy one that time (lol) and certainly if I got that lady again I’d say something. But that was a one time thing in 4 years.
Overall I put up with the crappy parking situation because they’re nice, they mostly keep to appointment time, and I haven’t found a reason to go elsewhere.

This was the best experience I’ve had at a dentist in my entire life. They were able to get me in for an emergency chipped tooth same day, were VERY friendly, and did a fantastic job. I will absolutely be going there again for my cleanings.

The work done by the dentist was spot on — quick, painless, and flawless. The issue I had was with the front desk. After my cleaning it was discussed how much my filling would cost. Once I got to my appointment a week later the price increased. I informed them of this difference and they began to tell me I was incorrect and that the price we went over originally was what was being charged at the date of my appointment.
Well, I got the EOB from my insurance company and sure enough it states the lower cost that was discussed after my cleaning to be what is due and shows that my insurance paid more to my bill than what the office claims. After reading these Unilocal reviews I’m not surprised they attempted this BAIT AND SWITCH tactic.

They are in it for the money.
I went in for the first time for a cleaning. Pros are that they were able to see me the day I called and are open late hours. The cleaning was fine — pretty typical.
The treatment plan they came up with totaled over $ 3,000 after insurance. I’m a healthy person, although I do get small cavities once in a while so I obviously got a second and third opinion. The majority of the costs were for crowns over cavities/​to replace childhood fillings.
I sent my x-​rays to my sister (who is in dental school, so she could show her faculty). Her professor disagreed with the majority of what they wanted to do.
I ended up going to another dentist. The most frustrating one was a tooth that Modern Dental said was most likely a root canal. In reality, it was a fractured tooth with a small cavity and only needed an inlay — costing me a fraction of the proposed price. I’m so happy I saved myself from that pain and cost.
Other annoying things the Modern Dental dentist said:
— He told me I couldn’t get a cavity on teeth that have crowns. NOT TRUE. My sister said you can definitely get cavities underneath the crowns and they can cause serious issues.
— He argued with me about how I grind my teeth saying that he didn’t see wear on my teeth. EVERY single dentist I’ve ever had has mentioned it, not to mention that I can feel it when I sleep. It’s actually what causes my cavities and the fractured tooth. Why dispute that?
There are thousands of dentists in Chicago. I have no idea why anyone would choose them.

The staff at Modern Dental is very nice. Unfortunately the DDS is unpleasant, seems to be judging, and cold. From my experience and my wife’s experience the dentist is keen on recommending expensive procedures and making you feel guilty if you are not ready to execute. Chicago is full of great dentists. I have since found a much more friendly dentist in the neighborhood. When I arrive there, I don’t feel like I’m visiting a car salesmen trying to upgrade everything. I get normal service and the dentist listens to my request. Not to mention their prices match the recommended limits by my insurance company (Modern Dental’s were inflated and out of line based on standard prices).

I recently (as in just yesterday) had four of my wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Palella. I couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant experience! He was very friendly and made sure I knew exactly what he was going to do, which really eased my worries. I’m a very anxious person and was VERY nervous before my appointment. But once I got into the chair, it seemed like it only took him just a few minutes to pull four teeth! I only experienced just a slight pain in my bottom right tooth during removal, but other than that, it was a pretty pleasant experience. Also, the person assisting Dr. Palella (I didn’t catch his name) was also great. He was very gentle and very encouraging during the whole appointment. I’ll be going back in a week for a follow up, and obviously back every four months for my cleanings!

nice place overall but beware, parking is AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE.
there will never be a place to park.
never.
felt bad because I liked the place and people but life’s too short to waste time circling the block (45 minutes is my longest before I gave up and cancelled) hoping someone moves, only no one ever does.
if you live close enough to walk, then by all means this is a good choice.
but if not, then move on.

This place is awesome. They have Saturday appointments, you get your own TV during an exam, and my fillings and cleanings have been painless. I’m also in the middle of my (third) Invisalign treatment and my teeth look great. Dr. Palella was able to get my stubborn teeth to move without any unsightly attachments. I’m constantly impressed with all of the staff there and they’ve been great at communicating with me both over the phone and via email.

I always used to love going to modern dental on division until one day I get a mysterious bill in the mail saying I owe $ 49.00. I thought this was weird because I always pay my balance in cash before I leave the office after my cleaning. So I call the office and they say it’s for a missed appointment a year ago. Never received a call that I owed anything. I understand the fee because it’s frustrating when people do not show up, but at least tell me about the bill. I used to go to Modern Dental every 6 months but they have defiantly lost me as a customer and my sister too. They also were offering a discount if customers left a good review so keep that in mind when you read all the high ratings!

The only reason they get 2 stars is because of the TVs, although half the time they’re either not on or else playing something I don’t want to watch (but no one offers to change the channel). Two bad experiences here: In the process of filling my husband’s cavity, some prep work was done to shave away the surrounding area of his tooth. Apparently too much was taken off, the cavity filling didn’t work, and suddenly he needed an $ 800 root canal for a tooth that had never bothered him before. During this process he had several very unsatisfactory experiences including going in for a Saturday consultation only to find that the specialist wasn’t even there.
My bad experience was trying to cancel an appointment due to a cold, only to find out about the $ 49 same-​day cancellation fee. Really? I can understand $ 20 – 25, that is pretty typical, but $ 49?

In such a crazy world, it is amazing that a dentist like this exists.
For background, I write this review sitting in the pharmacy 20 minutes after getting THREE teeth pulled. I felt compelled to get this review up ASAP. I have what you might consider dental problems and have actively avoided the dentist for a few years now. Ideally this is not you, but if it is Modern Dentistry is the place to go.
In my two visit for a combines two hours I have had a full set of X-​rays, check up and the aforementioned oral surgery. They have the latest gadgets, taking X-​rays and digital photos and then using them to instantly to show you what’s good and bad in your mouth. They keep the images so they keep track of their progress.
The medical staff is great. The Hygenist and Nurse diagnosed me with the «I’m not the dentist, but here is what I see» and it is clear that they have been around the block and seen everything. And Dr. Palella… the man pulled three teeth in less than an hour with less pain than when my cat bit me when I was feeding him treats. Seriously! In every discussion they lay out options, pros/​cons, costs and are willing to discuss it with you. The best part (from a dude who doesn’t go to the dentist often) is they don’t just tell you what’s wrong, but are very positive on what you are doing right.
The office staff is attentive and treats you like a customer. There are text and phone reminders. The documents are on line. They work with your insurance to find you great rates. They even call me when filming was happening on their street to let me know that parking would be difficult. They call if something opens if you asked for an earlier time. Amazing service.
The one thing to warn you about… Dr. Palella is a multi-​tasker. While you are waiting to numb up or there is some down time, he is working on another patient. This mean less waiting time for you, but it can feel like he is rushing — especially since he is a fast talker. However, he makes sure he understands, never rushed away until he was sure and his staff repeats everything he says again. And they are all good listeners. A week ago on my first visit, I mentioned a trip I need to take for work. Literally everyone asked me about it and wished me safe travels along with giving me dental advise.
I guess if you want a dentist who will listen to your life story while you are there, this is not the place to go. These guys are fast, effective and focused. If you want someone to chat with go find a bartender or hair stylist. IF you want your dental visit to be simply amazing, come to Modern Denistry.

I had not gone to the dentist in 9+ years. I had an illogical fear because of one REALLY bad dentist experience in the past. I have no dental insurance — sort of used that as an excuse for putting it off. I knew I had at least two cavities, no tooth aches, just not so healthy looking areas. So I did the Unilocal thing, and decided to face my fears — I found Modern Dental on Division.
I went 4 days in a row (my choice). If you don’t care to read what will probably be a short novella below, just know the team here are professional, warm, informative, gentle, and killed ALL uneasy feelings I had toward dentistry. You should go if you are in need of a new dentist. ESPECIALLY if you have not gone in a long while, I highly recommend them. Don’t make my mistake, go before it costs you more!
DAY 1
The first day I nervously walked into Modern Dental, I made appointment for a cleaning and needing X-​rays. I knew I needed a vigorous cleaning, but they didn’t want to schedule this until they checked me over first. They took X-​rays (as is common practice). Then I met with Dr. Phillip Palella. He used a monitor to show me where the 5 cavities were. Was able to really explain everything in a way that put me at ease. We spoke about my insurance, or lack there of, and he was able to walk me through an ideal gameplan. He was worried that the largest cavity may need a root canal, but he wanted to try and save me some money, so he gave me options. He wanted me to look over financial breakdown before we started anything. I think Dr. Palella wanted me to knock out the work over the course of a couple weeks. «We just got you back in here, let’s take it slow». I think he was worried about my soreness. Not because they are rough, but because the work ahead is not normal on your jaw. I’m a little stubborn, and like to get things over with, so I tried my best to get it all over with.
DAY 2
I started with the left side cleaning. It wasn’t your average cleaning, I hadn’t been in a while, so I had to get an extensive cleaning to repair the damage. They first numbed my gums with a topical gel. Then came the moment I was dreading — SHOTS. I didn’t feel them really. It was a small pinch — about 3 out of 10 on the pain threshold. Don’t worry, I’m a big softy when it comes to pain — if I can do it – you can too! Then the hygienist continued to blast away years of my ignorance and half ass attempts at keeping my teeth in pristine condition. The hygienist found another cavity under the plaque that was hidden from the x-​rays. A small cavity was on my wisdom teeth.
As we were finishing up I mentioned to the hygienist that I would love to get my left side cavities out of the way. I joked that I would sit in that chair all day if it meant that it would all be over. The hygienist asked if Dr. Laura Carroll would be able to fit me in for the left cavity work — and I was hanging out for 20 minutes before I was back in the chair. Dr. Carroll was great, like Dr. Palella she talked me through everything before she did it. She told me to blast my iPod and she’ll tap me if she needs me. She told me I can wait on the wisdom tooth cavity if I wasn’t ready financially to take care of it or if I didn’t want to do it in general. She recommended that if I didn’t want to take out the wisdom teeth, I should come back soon though. I opted to take care of all of it. I didn’t feel any roughness, or drilling, or pain. I left looking like Sylvester Stallone (mouth still numb), but small price to pay I suppose.
DAY 3
Woke up with absolutely no soreness! None whatsoever. Not sure if that’s common or not, but I was able to eat a hearty breakfast and felt no irregularities. I got to the dentist and they cleaned out the right side like they did the left the day before. Shots again, this time given by a different hygienist, no pain. I could tell the hygienists had a little different style as far as taking care of the cleaning. One liked to dig a little harder, but I didn’t feel it at all. AND I’m sure if I had said anything to anyone regarding their technique and my comfort they would have adjusted for my sake. I just opened wide and figured if I let them at it — I’ll have that great smile in no time. I tried to get Dr. Carroll to fit me in like she did on Day 2 — but she was booked up. I think someone came in with an emergency chip on their tooth. BUT the staff was able to fit me in early the next day — so I jumped at the chance.
DAY 4
Dr Palella finished up the right side’s cavities. I had two. One he gave me a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ chance that the filling would be sufficient compared to a root canal. He was worried that it was close to the nerve. He seemed surprised I went for 4 days in a row. He mentioned the injection spots may be sore for a few days.
FINAL
I woke up today feeling great! Jaw is a little sore from holding open for so long — nothing major. Eating perfectly well. My stress over my teeth is completely gone. I’m back on track! Highly recommend these guys! THANKS!

I started out as a Groupon customer, and chose Modern Dental because it was located near my home. I ended up staying for about 2 years before I moved on. Turns out Groupon and proximity to home are not good reasons to select your dentist. Here is where MDD lost me as a customer:
1. The tvs that are supposedly for the patients are actually for the dentist and hygienist. For example, during one appointment the dentist and her assistant chatted about the program playing on the tv throughout the appointment. I remember feeling like they were distracted, and sure enough, the dentist didn’t even out my tooth properly which meant that I had pain whenever I chewed on that side of my mouth. I had to wait months to come back in and get it fixed. Every appointment was like that — nobody ever asked if I wanted to watch something because the dentist or whoever had to catch Shark Tank regardless of whether I wanted to watch it at all. Can you do your job effectively while watching tv? What makes you think your dentist can?
2. I made the mistake of mentioning that one of the reasons I left my old dentist was because the hygienist was too rough (in fairness, she was a psychopath). Modern Dental’s response was to take the opposite approach and basically do the functional equivalent of tickling my gums with a feather. I never came out of there feeling like my teeth were clean.
3. They always tried to upsell me on fluoride treatments, even though all sorts of studies show adult teeth don’t absorb flouride treatments and they’re not effective.
I finally had enough and picked out a dentist with a good reputation and am happy to report that my teeth are actually clean again. I don’t have to suffer through a half hour of squawk box each time I go in and my teeth actually have the dentist’s undivided attention.
All that being said, I had nothing but good experiences with Dr. Palella, but I didn’t get him very often.

Growing up, I’ve had my fair share of dental and orthodontic appointments, including roughly 6 years of braces and a tooth stuck in my jaw. Just unlucky with dental health in general. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the numbing, drilling, poking, prodding, jaw pain and scolding. I generally avoid dental offices at all costs.
Unfortunately, in order to maintain the health of my teeth, I need to go from time to time. Modern Dental on Division is the first, and only, dental office I’d gone to since moving to Chicago. Generally I’d just go when I flew home for visits, but as those vacations got further apart, I decided I needed a dentist of my own in Chicago.
I was recommended through a friend, that found MDOD through groupon. Turns out the insurance through my employer covered their office, so I gave them a shot.
I cannot tell you how impressed I was with this office. Warm and welcoming staff made me feel comfortable and relaxed through my first, and all subsequent visits. Helpful without being judgmental or discouraging about any possible dental problems or possible slacking on flossing…
For those that need a cheap and easy checkup, or those who have severe issues with dentists, this is the place for you. If the dentists can’t take your mind off your mouth, the TVs in each station should help! During my last cleaning Maury was on, can’t get more distracted than that!

I had an insurance switch with a different so just picked this place kinda at random from my insurance list. Not something I do everyday, but it turned out great. Dr. Palella is very knowledgeable and friendly. I think it’s funny everyone here comments on how great it is that they have flat-​screen TVs. I’ve seen this at more than one dentist, and if you’re there for a cleaning, just take your iPhone and listen to music for cryin’ out loud.
Expenses were explained thoroughly, the procedures were explained before they were done, they showed me the Xrays and discussed the work. I don’t get these critical reviews on here. I’ve been to several different dentists in Chicago over the years and these people are great.

I have been coming to this dentist office for 4 years, as long as I’ve lived in the area. The office is clean and modern, and I LOVE that they have TVs at every chair. Gives you something to do other than stare at the wall while you are waiting and while they are poking around in your mouth.
I’ve seen several different dentists there, and I actually am not sure if I have a dedicated dentist, but that doesn’t bother me.
It’s always really easy to get an appointment and they have extended evening and Saturday hours so it’s always convenient. I am not always super anxious to get my cavities filled, but it’s nice to know I can just get them over with ASAP!