James R Waters, DDS MSD

I had braces when I was younger and wore my retainer every night. I broke it a few months ago and needed a new one. I made an appointment for a consultation with Ortho 360 and was quoted a very high price for a Hawley retainer (I had done a lot of research about prices for different kinds of retainers prior to the appointment). I walked out of that appointment and called Dr. Waters’ office and was quoted $ 500 ($ 250 per arch) + $ 50 for a consultation. These prices were within the range that had come up in my research. I have had my retainer now for over a month as well as a free checkup with Dr. Waters to make sure it is fitting properly. I am very happy with the level of service and expertise Dr. Waters and his staff offer!

I really regret that I ever got braces. I frankly didn’t really need them and came out the worse for having had them. Basically, I had lost a tooth while in between jobs, so I couldn’t afford an implant for a while and by the time I could my teeth had shifted very mildly.
It’s hard for me to remember how I was originally talked into this, but the basic idea was that since implants can’t shift, if I wanted to have my teeth «perfect» I was going to have to have it done before I got the implant. His idea of perfect was something out of a text book and not like what I had originally had. (Every dentist I had ever had had commented on how perfectly straight they were, but he had ideas on how to «improve» upon it).
The net effect was that I paid thousands of dollars and went through a lot of pain and suffering for about two years (not to mention ruined pictures for what would otherwise have been awesome shots) for essentially no gain and my mouth came out worse for it.
The worst was that where the gum used to come up perfectly between all of my bottom front teeth, the gums have receded and there are large gaps that food is always stuck in. This upsets me greatly every time I look in the mirror to this day, and as salt in the wound I remember when I pointed it out Dr. Waters was very casual, and said something along the lines of «oh yeah, well sometimes that happens when you get braces» like it was no big deal and to be expected. To say the least this was not a possibility I had been presented with when I was making my decision as to if I should get braces of not, and is something I have not been able to get over in the several years since.
Apart from feeling talked into something I didn’t need that left me in worse shape than when I started, one of my biggest complaints is their insistence that their appointments are «15 minutes» when they are never less than an hour and often longer. The piece of paper with the appointment information always says 15 minutes. I was late to work many times in the beginning when I took them at their word, and even when I pressed them for a more realistic time would still give me something ridiculously low balled. This was a constant point of friction at work.
It might be a decent place to go if you actually really need braces and don’t mind being point blank lied to about how long your appointments will last and you’re ok with someone using a text book to figure out how your mouth should look rather than going with a more natural fit (if you actually severely need braces, that last one won’t apply to you, but if you’re a mild case beware), but I rue the day I went there literally every time I brush /​floss in the mirror and see that stuff stuck in the holes caused by my receded gums.

After years of wishing I had a straight grill, I finally decided to take my dentist’s recommendation and called up Dr. Waters for a consult. After not being able to qualify for Invisalign through a Groupon, I decided I would have to get the real braces that my teenage friends all loathed and complained about. Plus, he does a free consult so what’s to lose?
Dr. Waters has great bedside manner. He comes in, introduces himself, shakes your hand, makes eye contact, and really listens to you. I never feel rushed despite having all these questions and he always does a great job of explaining things fully. He listed my options and listened to my concerns and made some great recommendations. I am choosing to go with the clear brackets so that I can minimize the «teenager» effect as I’m Asian and yes, I still really do seem to look like I’m a teenager… or so everyone tells me (I’m 26).
I’m in the beginning of my treatment plan, which will span 2 possibly 2.5 years. I have to have extractions done as I had had the two corresponding teeth pulled previously from my upper set. I’m pretty excited about all this even knowing that I“ll have to wear braces and talk with patients all day at my workplace. He gets you to the point where you can look forward to the results and I think that’s key for such long term treatment. It’s hard to not let the infectious enthusiasm seep in. It’s expensive, my treatment plan is hovering around 6K since my insurance doesn’t cover it but… good results, which can be seen from his piles of binders of example cases, are hard to deny. Plus, they offer a 5% discount if you pay up front. I will say the peace of mind of knowing that I am in good hands certainly makes it all much easier to handle!
His office staff are so, so kind, nice, patient, and just… lovable. You can’t help but walk in and feel like they are treating you like your a part of their family. They always call well in advance if an appt. time can’t be accommodated and will automatically reschedule you to the next closest available time with the schedule permitting.

Giving Dr. Waters 5 stars is a no brainer. He is hilarious (told me this joke today: what does a fish say after it hits a cement wall? Damn it), his staff is super friendly and ALWAYS helpful. I am an adult with braces, which sucks enough as it is. They have always worked around my schedule and are really nice people to deal with. I have had my braces for 2 ½ years now… And let me tell you, when you have to see these people from anywhere between twice a week to once a month for 2 – 3 years you want to like them. Although, sometimes painful going to Dr. Waters office is always a pleasant experience. I couldn’t recommend him enough! Not only is his work quality work but I always leave with a smile.

Dr. Waters exceeded my expectations, and I couldn’t be happier with my new smile.
I had previously interviewed another orthodontist who wanted to do an extraction (which I felt was unnecessary), and I was relieved when Dr. Waters felt it wasn’t needed either.
Our treatment timeline was tight because of my upcoming wedding, but he kept to the schedule and we actually finished early. The staff is great — it was almost like visiting family each time I came in for an adjustment.
I highly recommend Dr. Waters to anyone considering orthodontics.

I am Dr. Waters patient as well. I just read Rebecca’s review and she is pretty right on everything. Like her, I’m an adult with braces and I saw SEVERAL orthodontists that I ran away from. They (5) all wanted me to have a jaw surgery! Ewe!!!
The first time I saw Dr. Waters, I was pleased by his manners. For once, a Doctor mentioned that the jaw surgery isn’t an option! Dr. Waters has an oral-​surgeon background, so I had a good reason to trust his judgment! I signed the papers and here I am, still happy, 9 months later.
I see Dr. Waters and staff every 4 weeks. Amanda, the receptionist, is a patient girl because I’m not easy to fit in a schedule. She allows me to make several appointments, so I can call and cancel the ones that I can’t attend a week prior.
Once, I was in Lake Forest, North of Chicago, and my wire came off. Amanda helped me to arrange an appointment with a doctor there. How nice is that?!! I didn’t have to pay anything! I feel like I was at home :)
When is my teeth cleaning time, I go see Dr. Waters first, so he can remove my wires. After, I go to my dentist (who is totally happy that my teeth are easy access) for the cleaning. At last, I return to Dr. Waters office to have my wires back on. Few hours of running here and there, but it is worth it! My teeth are super clean!!!
I feel like I’m into good hands when I go to Dr. Waters office. They treat me with respect and this is priceless!
James Waters reminds me of Arthur in the movie Hitch :)

Hello, my name is Rebecca H. and I am an adult with braces.
Dr. Waters hooked me up with my «grill,» and I have to say, I like his work. I’d had a consultation with another orthodontist who scared me away with all his talk of extractions and gum surgery, but Dr. Waters waved away all that nonsense — none of that for me! (Whew!)
The best thing about Dr. Waters is that he puts you right at ease. He’s no scary dentist/​orthodontist, freaking out about this or that — he’s a nice guy. He’ll manage to make you laugh, even when you have that evil check extractor in your mouth, and when you start crying after the braces are put on (they felt all prickly, and suddenly I didn’t mind my old smile!), he’ll hand you a Kleenex and calm you down.
His staff is pretty young, but they’re very kind and well-​meaning — sort of like your favorite hair stylist, with a touch of masochism mixed in.
Why four stars? Well, they’re BRACES! I’m not ready to say all the pain and hassle has been worth it, but ask me again when they’re off!