A question about your teeth deserves a conversation. At our North Larkin Avenue Orthodontic Experts clinic, our experienced orthodontist, Dr. Erin Yoshida, helps kids, teens and adults understand their orthodontic options, from a kid’s developing bite to teeth that have shifted after previous treatment.
We offer metal, ceramic and gold braces, Invisalign®, and other clear aligners. Tell us what you would like to change, what concerns you about treatment and how you hope to manage the cost. Your no-cost orthodontic consultation brings those questions together with an examination, so you can consider the recommendation with a clearer picture of the care involved.
Understanding your orthodontic treatment matters throughout the process. Our clinic brings together specialist care, several appliance choices and help with the practical arrangements that come with regular visits.
For Dr. Erin Yoshida, orthodontics began as a familiar part of family life. Her father’s work as an orthodontist inspired her to enter the specialty. Originally from Hilo, Hawaii, she values getting to know patients and their families so that their concerns help shape the conversation about care.
Dr. Yoshida earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and completed her orthodontic training and master’s degree at the University of Washington. Her research on aerosol particles during the removal of composite attachments received a 2024 Thomas M. Graber Award of Special Merit.
Away from work, she enjoys running, traveling and spending time with her cat, Ted.
“Becoming an orthodontist was a natural choice for me as I was influenced by my father’s work in the field.” – Dr. Erin Yoshida
Choosing an appliance involves more than deciding how it looks. Our orthodontists in Joliet considers your bite, the tooth movements needed and the responsibilities that come with each option. Use these tabs to compare what wearing braces or aligners would mean day to day.
With metal braces, brackets hold a wire that guides teeth toward their planned positions. The appliance remains in place between appointments while your orthodontist monitors and adjusts treatment. Daily brushing takes extra attention around the brackets and gumline.
Ceramic braces may appeal to patients who want fixed treatment with less visible brackets. A wire still connects the brackets, and regular adjustments remain part of care. Ask to see the available materials and discuss how they would work for your bite.
The gold-toned appearance of gold braces offers another way to choose the look of a fixed appliance. The finish is an aesthetic choice; your tooth movements still follow an orthodontic treatment plan.
Our Joliet office offers Invisalign®. These custom, removable aligners move teeth through a prescribed sequence of trays. Our orthodontist assesses whether they can address your treatment needs and discusses daily wear, progress appointments and whether attachments or elastics are part of your plan.
We also provide other clear aligner options, including 3M aligners. If more than one system is suitable, ask what distinguishes the proposed plans: the movements being treated, the appointment schedule and what happens if additional trays are needed.
Bring your questions, insurance card and details of any previous orthodontic treatment. If your dentist has raised a concern, share that with us too. This visit helps establish what needs attention and whether treatment should begin now or be considered later.
When reviewing a quote, consider the total treatment fee, what insurance may pay and the balance you would be responsible for. Our team can walk through these figures with you and discuss how payments would be scheduled. Braces and aligner fees depend on the proposed treatment; a monthly installment is only one part of the estimate.
We accept Illinois Medicaid and All Kids. Orthodontic coverage has eligibility and clinical requirements. Contact our clinic with your current plan information to discuss evaluation and any approval needed.
A dental policy may include a separate orthodontic benefit. We can help check the applicable age limits, remaining benefit and network details before you make a treatment decision.
Ask about spreading your balance across monthly payments, including self-pay options if you have no orthodontic coverage. We will review the initial payment, installment amount and automatic-payment terms of the available plan.
Our Joliet clinic accepts CareCredit. Financing is subject to credit approval and the terms of the selected offer. Review the payment deadline and any interest conditions before applying.
Ask which offers apply to your proposed treatment. Eligibility, start dates and restrictions on combining offers with insurance can differ. Request the full terms for any promotion included in your estimate.
The first consultation gives you a chance to discuss treatment and its cost before committing. Ask which services are included in a proposed course of care and which may carry separate fees.
The decision to start treatment changes with tooth development, oral health and personal circumstances. Our Joliet team discusses those factors with you, whether you are booking for a kid or returning to orthodontics yourself.
A kid’s permanent teeth do not all need to be present for an orthodontic assessment. The AAO recommends a first check by age seven. Our orthodontist in Joliet can look at how teeth are emerging and how the jaws meet. The recommendation may be to monitor development or address a specific concern early; an initial visit does not automatically mean starting braces.
Teens often have their own questions about eating, appearance and taking care of an appliance away from home. We welcome that conversation. Alongside the examination, it helps us discuss whether a fixed appliance or a removable option is practical. Consistent aligner wear, cleaning and keeping appointments all require the teen’s participation throughout orthodontic treatment.
Some adults arrive with a long-standing concern; others notice crowding or a gap returning years after braces. Start by telling us what has changed. Our orthodontist in Joliet will assess your current bite and dental health before discussing braces or aligners. If you have restorations or planned dental work, those details belong in the adult orthodontic treatment discussion too.
Find us at 1351 N Larkin Ave, Joliet, IL 60435. Keep this address handy for your consultation and return visits. For your first visit, use the clinic map to plan the route to our clinic.
Planning more than one stop? These destinations are in the wider Joliet area. Use the clinic map for directions to 1351 N Larkin Avenue, and check each destination’s visiting information when organizing your day.
Our Joliet clinic also welcomes patients traveling from Shorewood, New Lenox, Fairmont, Lockport and Plainfield. The community pages below provide information about reaching this clinic for care.
The visible position of a tooth is only part of the assessment. Our Joliet orthodontist also looks at how the upper and lower teeth come together. These common terms may help you describe what you have noticed.
Occurs due to a lack of space in the jaw, causing the teeth to twist.
The top front teeth extend beyond the bottom front teeth.
Too large spaces between the teeth, medically known as a diastema.
Misalignment of the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
The lower jaw and bottom teeth extend beyond the front upper teeth.
A condition where the upper teeth tilt towards the lower teeth.
Also known as “buck teeth,” where the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth.
A condition where the teeth are not properly aligned.
These comments were posted on our Joliet Google profile. Explore the profile for more feedback about the clinic and team.
rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 819 reviews.
Lezly is so nice helped me through all the process, exited to start get my braces

New patient experience the entire team was very nice and professional. Special thanks to Lezly for full breakdown of care and services.

Loved it fast and clean and stuff is very nice

I’m excited for my braces

I’m excited for my braces

Consultation was amazing, process was very smooth and fast.

Very short wait time and amazing customer service.

Went in for my daughter consultation it was great very smooth quick process everyone was so nice and welcoming . My daughter and niece are so excited about there braces . The young Lady I forgot her name but she was so sweet and nice as well I think it began with an A sorry I forgot she took photos but everyone was great thank you guys. Can’t wait for next week

Friendly & Great Service! Reasonable pricing. Great staff and clean facility. Thank you
Yes. Invisalign® and other clear aligners are available at this office. Tell us if you have a brand preference so our orthodontist in Joliet can discuss its suitability for your case. The treatment proposal should identify the system being recommended and the scope of care.
Your fee depends on the correction needed and the treatment selected. We provide an individual estimate at the consultation and can discuss monthly payments. Compare the full fee, initial payment and included services, including retainers. Ceramic or gold bracket upgrades and different aligner plans may carry different charges.
Yes, our office accepts Illinois Medicaid and All Kids. Eligibility for orthodontic treatment depends on the program’s requirements and any necessary authorization. Bring your current card so the team can help identify the appropriate assessment and coverage process. Approval is not automatic.
Our clinic lists Cigna and UnitedHealthcare among accepted private insurers, but orthodontic coverage varies by policy. We need your specific plan details to check network status, benefit limits and whether the proposed treatment is covered. A general dental benefit does not necessarily include braces or Invisalign®.
Some can. Tooth development, the bite correction needed and the kid’s ability to wear and care for the trays all matter. An assessment can establish whether aligners are appropriate now or whether braces or a different treatment stage should be considered.
An estimate follows the examination and treatment planning. The amount and type of tooth movement, your response to treatment and following appliance instructions affect timing. Ask how often progress will be reviewed and what could change the original estimate. Choosing aligners does not automatically mean finishing sooner.
Temporary pressure or tenderness can occur after braces are placed or adjusted, or when changing aligners. Contact our team if discomfort is severe, persists or seems related to a broken appliance. We can help determine whether the fit or appliance needs attention.
Treatment depends on the affected teeth, jaw relationship and growth stage. Braces, aligners or other appliances may be considered after an examination. The assessment determines whether early correction or another approach is appropriate.
Retainers help maintain the positions achieved with braces or aligners. Your orthodontist will explain which type is recommended and how to wear and care for it. Ask about retainers, follow-up and replacement costs when reviewing the treatment agreement.
Call our Joliet team at (815) 323-4700 to describe the problem and receive instructions. Avoid forcing an appliance into place. If an injury involves trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding or another serious medical concern, seek immediate medical care.