Why Is It So Important to Have Straight Teeth? - Grayslake, Antioch, and Wonder Lake, Illinois

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at (847) 223-2876 to set up a consultation. Drs. Sellke & Reily can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary? - Drs. Sellke & Reily

Usually our patients receiving orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:
• An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
• A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
• A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner.

Meet Our Grayslake Team!

Julie
Office Manager

Hello, my name is Julie, and I've worked for Drs. Sellke & Reily since 1996. I'm one of the smiling faces that you will see at the front desk.

I am a native of Lancaster County, PA and I currently live in Grayslake with my husband, Rob and my two daughters Mya and Tara and our Labrador dog, Hunter and our fish, Sally. In my free time, I enjoy bike rides with the family especially to Tastee Freeze, scrapbooking, going to our local Grayslake Curves, serving Village Church and supporting my girls in their activities. I look forward to seeing you at the office.

Anne
Treatment Coordinator

Hello, my name is Anne, and I am a Treatment Coordinator for Drs. Sellke and Reily. I have been with Drs. Sellke & Reily since 2005 and enjoy coming to work everyday with a staff full of upbeat positive people.

I also love that I have the opportunity to meet more and more wonderful people within the community. I am a native of Northern Michigan but currently live in Grayslake, IL with my husband Mark and our two children Stacy and Dillon. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family at home or at any sporting event! Football season is my favorite time of year. When I'm not working in the orthodontic world, I spend time at my other job with the Grayslake Park District, where I have been since 2003.

Sheila
Treatment Coordinator

Hello, my name is Sheila. After owning a health food store I decided to get back into the dental field which I had previously worked in for 10 years. I joined SR in 2006. I enjoy working with the SR team because of their positive attitude and their professional atmosphere. I am a native of Park Ridge, IL and currently live in Grayslake with my husband, four boys and my father. In my free time I enjoy promoting SR wherever I go, whether it be at the beach, movies, tennis, concerts, plays and all of my children’s sporting events. I am always proud to tell people that two of my children had treatment at SR long before I started working here.

Holly
Clinical Supervisor

Hi my name is Holly. I graduated from Swedish American Hospital as a Radiation Therapist in 1984, and received my Bachelor of Health Arts degree in 1990 from the Collee of St. Francis. After taking some time off from the health field to raise my children, I joined the SR Team in 2004. I currently am the Clinical Superviosr for the Grayslake office. I also am in charge of inventory and purchasing for all our offices and oversee our OSHA compliance.

I have lived in the area since 1997 with my husband and 3 kids. I first discovered Drs. Sellke & Reily as a "mom" and loved the friendly welcoming atmosphere. It was a perfect fit to switch from "mom" to part of the SR team.

Meet Our Antioch Team!

Karen
Office Manager

Hello, my name is Karen, and I'm the office manger for our Antioch office. I've worked for Drs. Sellke & Reily since 1988. They are so amazing to work for. It's like my own family. I enjoy being one of the first people to greet our patients. The interaction with patients, getting to know their families and seeing them go home at the end of treatment with a wonderful smile is the BEST.

I am a native of Chicago, IL and currently live in Antioch with my husband Steve, and have two amazing children. I enjoy warm vacations, spending time with my family especially my grand children, walking, yoga, decorating and entertaining. I'm involved in our Chamber of Commerce in Antioch.

Krista
Treatment Coordinator

Hello, my name is Krista and I have had the privilege of working at Drs. Sellke and Reily since 2001. In the past, I have worked in several different capacities: I began working in the clinic as an assistant and have transitioned into the role of Treatment Coordinator. My favorite part of working at Drs. Sellke and Reily is seeing familiar faces and watching smiles transform.

I am an Illinois native and currently live in Trevor, Wisconsin with my husband, Dave, my two children, Nathan & Kassidy and our dogs Shania and Izzy. In my free time I love to scrapbook, bake, and watch reality TV shows.

Megan
Treatment Coordinator

Hello, my name is Megan and I have been working for Drs. Sellke & Reily since 2001 as a Treatment Coordinator. I also handle all insurance matters for the Antioch office. I love working at Drs. Sellke and Reily because of the fun, caring and exciting atmosphere. My favorite part of working in the field of orthodontics is seeing the patient's beautiful smiles when their braces come off.

I am a native of Cleveland, Ohio and have lived in Grayslake, IL for the past 14 years with my husband Sal, my daughter Lexi and my son Mitch. When I'm not working I enjoy reading, yoga, travel and spending time with my family and friends.

Nicole
Clinical Supervisor

Hello, my name is Nicole. I have worked for Drs. Sellke and Reily since 2003 and it is an honor to be part of the team. I enjoy working with patients and learning their interests, while helping them receive a simply spectacular smile.

I currently live in Fox Lake, IL with my two children. I enjoy traveling, reading and spending time with my children. I enjoy family camping trips and cub scout activities, and I am a fan of the Lakeland Cardinal Cheerleaders.