Testimonials

SHIRLEY MORRISON, LONG GROVE, IL

Thank you for giving me the "Smile of my Dreams." My smile makeover has improved my appearance, increased my self-confidence and has caused me to smile more often. This is readily apparent in photographs as I am the one with the biggest, brightest smile!

Your staff always welcomed me with a smile, were professional at all times and eager to answer all my questions. It was refreshing to go to an office where everyone is friendly and cheerful.

Dr. Fondriest, I was most impressed with you taking the time to understand my likes and dislikes, your attention to detail, and your enthusiasm and dedication to your work. Thank you for my beautiful smile!

THOMASINA JUNGMANN, LIBERTYVILLE, IL

After a trauma occurred to my two front teeth at the age of 10 years old, I began a dreadful journey. My first diagnosis was two chipped teeth with one worse than the other.

My parents then had braces put on, which I wore for only one year. I was told that I wasn't wearing my retainer (even though I was) because my front teeth were shifting. I was referred to a specialist and ended up with two root canals. As the years passed, I was told I needed to have one of my front teeth taken out and that there were no other options! Well, this resulted in a bridge involving three teeth.

By this time, I had lost 50% of my gum tissue and when I smiled, you could see black and gray areas around where my gums had receded. This made me very self conscious and kept me from smiling. As time went on, my bridge cracked so I went to another dentist who had another bridge made. I had high expectations but ended up with a bridge that caused me to whistle when I talked and my gums were still shrinking.

Years went by and I was still unable to smile. Once again, I thought I found the right dentist and had a third bridge made, and then a 4th! The results were the same as the others who had tried.

So I decided teeth implants would solve all of my problems and was referred to yet another specialist. Just before my 5th attempt to correct a thirty-five year old problem, I met a dental hygienist (from another office) who insisted that I meet with Dr. Fondriest. After our initial consult, I knew I had finally found the dentist that would absolutely make it right...he was a perfectionist. Dr. Fondriest has given me my self confidence back. My smile looks great: I NEVER think twice about smiling. I don't whistle when I talk and my gums are healthy again!

I can't say enough about my experience and I thank God that I found him. I love my dentist!

BRITTON ESPOSITO, WESTERN SPRINGS, IL

After 3 years of chronic pain, various treatments (such as biofeedback, physical therapy and massage therapy), and countless doctors, I started to just accept that my pain was always going to be a part of me. However, like all good stories, just when I had accepted my fate, my story took a turn for the better.

Over spring break this past year, my mother and I went on a vacation to Arizona, where I made an appointment with a cranial sacral massage therapist. Well, some angel must have been watching over me that day because I ended leaving my appointment with a small bit of hope. The therapist had told me that my jaw was misaligned (something I'd never been told before) and that she knew of a dentist in Lake Forest, IL who might be able to help me. When my mother and I arrived back home in Western Springs, we called Dr. Fondriest and made an appointment.

When I arrived at his office, I'll admit I was a bit nervous. I just could not hear, "I'm sorry, there is nothing more we can do", one more time. However, Dr. Fondriest did not tell me this. Though he was not positive he could help me, he was willing to take a risk, and that, immediately set him apart from all the other doctors.

The many long drives and train rides to Lake Forest were worth it. His friendly staff welcomed me like a family member, taking quickly to my goofy personality. I couldn't believe the dentist could be enjoyable! I had never been to a Doctor's office that was genuinely concerned with my well-being. Dr. Fondriest and his staff had no ulterior motives; they just wanted to help me get better. They did that. Within the first month alone, I could already tell the difference and I no longer awoke with headaches and jaw pain.

Now, after less than six months, Dr. Fondriest has made a masterpiece of my bite. Following my most recent visit, I felt no pain all day for the first time in three years. I have not experienced my all too familiar tension headaches and have put my jaw stretches to rest. Before being treated by Dr. Fondriest, I was like a broken-winged bird. He nursed me back to health. Now, I am ready to spread my wings and fly free.

It is miraculous. I finally feel like myself again. I am relaxed, pain free in my jaw and ready to conquer the world!

JEAN REYNOLDS, GLENVIEW, IL

I was always self conscious when I smiled or laughed because my top teeth were spotted and chipped. Some days it was worse than others. I often would put my hand over my mouth when I laughed. My top front 8 teeth were bonded in 1984. Although the bonding looked great in the beginning, it kept chipping if I bit into hard things or if my teeth got bumped. For many years Dr. Fondriest would repair it for me. One day Dr. Fondriest suggested that I have porcelain veneers done. He said these would be stronger and would be more attractive. I decided to have my teeth "made over". I was so excited.

Going to the dentist has never been my favorite thing to do. What has made it easier is that everyone at Dr. Fondriest's office is kind and pleasant and respectful. They all really care about you. They take the time to teach you how to improve your hygiene. They are patient when I get anxious right before the novacaine shot. The office is very warm, clean and classy looking. I love the water color paintings, window dressings and their orchids. My favorite thing is the dog poster on the ceiling that I can focus on while work is being done.

Dr. Fondriest takes great pride in his work and I felt that he really wanted me to be happy and satisfied. He takes his time to make sure his work is perfect. I see him as an artist in addition to being a dentist. I think he fixed my teeth with the same passion and level of perfection as he would for himself or for his family. I love my new smile. It immediately made me feel more confident and self assured. What a great feeling it must be to have such a powerful and positive effect on his patient's attitude toward themselves.

When I look at other people's smiles, I usually know if they have had dentistry done. No one knows that I have. I know that what has been given to me is truly special. Looking back, I will always be grateful to have been given such a wonderful gift!

Thank you for everything.

Anna Roeser, Libertyville, IL

I vividly remember when I was 16 years old going to the dentist and having the dentist drill down two of my front teeth so that he could apply bonding materials.  Since that time, I have had my bonding replaced on numerous occasions because either the material cracked or it became stained.  Over the years, I found myself not smiling fully as I didn't want anyone to notice my stained and unattractive teeth.

Finally, after many years, I figured that technology had passed my family dentist by so I started getting consultations with dentists who specialized in cosmetics. Narrowing my search was difficult because there were so many advertising dentists claiming superiority. It occurred to me that other dentists, especially the specialists who work with and see the quality of work being done by the many cosmetic specialists in my area, would know who the best really was.  I asked my daughter's dentist who the best doctor was to do my veneers. He said that Dr. Fondriest is one of the most respected cosmetic dentists in the country.  I knew the minute that I met Dr. Fondriest that he was highly qualified to do the work.  He consulted with me on several occasions and took the time to truly understand what I wanted.  He asked so many more questions and considered more options than the other dentists that I had consulted with.

The process was not painful at all.  He and his staff made complex things seem simple.  Everyone at the office was kind, friendly and supportive.  I felt that they were really rooting for me.  Now I have that beautiful smile and find myself smiling fully.  I wish that I had done this sooner!