Who knew that a visit to a dental office could be such a pleasurable experience? Ask anyone who has been to ORA Dental Studio—the cosmetic dental offices of Dr. Mladen Kralj. The office does not look or feel at all like a dental facility. The warm, rustic design of Dr. Kralj’s office at 937 W. Randolph St.— with its exposed brick, wood floors, and wood beam ceilings— can be likened to an art studio. In many ways, it is an art studio. Dr. Kralj, who comes from a family of artists, relies as much on his aesthetic sensibilities as he does on his advanced clinical approach, professional know-how, and personal attention.

“Art and design are a part of everything we do,” said Dr. Kralj. “I view the smile as a fundamental element of a person’s natural beauty. It is a reflection of one’s spirit, or essence. Personal beauty is not one-dimensional, but an expression of the complete self.” While the patient’s smile is his canvas, Dr. Kralj’s approach is to treat each patient as a whole—and listening is key. He offers complimentary, no-obligation consultations. “I take the time to hear a person’s needs and desires,” he said. “Communication is essential during every step of treatment.”

To ensure a relaxing, pleasurable experience, Dr. Kralj has created a tranquil, inviting atmosphere, with soothing music and the fragrance of fresh flowers and aromatherapy. Patients are pampered with such amenities as refreshments and a scented neck pillow, back massager, and blanket. Most importantly, the patient enjoys undivided attention during every visit, which is why the studio’s appointment schedule is limited to four to six patients each day. “When a patient is here, we dedicate 100% of our attention to that one patient only,” said Dr. Kralj.

With artistry and attention to detail, Dr. Kralj is dedicated to making every smile look stunning, yet natural. His goal is to enhance or restore the intrinsic beauty of the smile, rather than create a result that appears obvious or artificial. “The practice of aesthetic dentistry is a personal philosophy and clinical discipline that focuses on the combination of beauty, symmetry, and harmony in order to achieve a stunning smile with ideal long-term health and function,” said Dr. Kralj. “It integrates the most advanced techniques and biocompatible materials to achieve the most natural looking and feeling results possible.

“Every day I see the remarkable difference a healthy new smile can make in a person’s life,” said Dr. Kralj. A healthy, attractive smile is an important facet of life—it impacts your self-esteem and well-being.” Dr. Kralj enhances smiles with porcelain veneers, metal-free restorations, and teeth-whitening treatments to design natural-looking beauty. “Whether you need brightening, whitening, straight- ening, or a complete smile makeover, there is an answer for every individual,” he said.