Finding a dentist you trust is harder than it sounds. Sure, there are dozens of options in any given area, but “accepting new patients” and “someone you’d go back to” are two very different things. If you’re in the Independence or Ballwin area — or somewhere in between — these five practices have earned good reputations for real reasons, not just because they rank well on a search page.
Before diving in, it’s worth knowing that the American Dental Association recommends dental checkups at least once a year, though twice yearly is the standard for most adults. If it’s been a while, any one of these would be a decent place to start.
1. Justin Garner Dentistry — Independence, MO
Dr. Justin Garner’s origin story is genuinely unusual for a dentist. He broke his front teeth in a freak accident at 14, spent his freshman year of high school dealing with the fallout, and came out the other side wanting to put other people back together the same way he was. That’s the kind of backstory you either believe or you don’t — but the patient reviews (4.9 stars across 282 of them) suggest it translated into something real.
The practice is at 3904 S Lynn Court and has been open since 2008. Garner trained at UMKC’s School of Dentistry and did a general dentistry residency at the University of Michigan. He does:
- Implants
- Root canals
- Veneers
- Clear aligners
- Basic oral surgery
—all in-house, which saves the hassle of referrals.
What comes up repeatedly in reviews is the lack of pressure. Patients mention being told what they actually need rather than a maximalist treatment plan, which in dentistry is not something you should take for granted.
According to the best dentist in Independence, MO, the office philosophy is simple: tell people what’s happening in their mouth in plain language, and let them decide. That attitude seems to stick with people.
2. Angelina Anisimova, DDS — Ballwin, MO
Dr. Anisimova runs a family dentistry practice in Ballwin that covers a wide range:
- Cleanings
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Implants
- Cosmetic work
The cosmetic side is where the practice seems to get particularly specific. Rather than pushing patients toward a generic whitened-and-straightened look, she asks what the patient actually wants, which isn’t a given in this field.
The practice draws patients from the surrounding suburbs:
- Fenton
- Chesterfield
- Grover
- Valley Park
Which says something about people being willing to travel past closer options.
If you’re thinking about veneers or whitening and want someone who will talk through what the full smile looks like (not just the front six teeth), this office seems worth a call. Their cosmetic dentist in Ballwin page has a solid breakdown of how they approach cases, including the “social six” conversation most offices skip.
3. Ballwin Dental Care — Ballwin, MO
Ballwin Dental Care has been around since 1973, which in dentistry terms is practically ancient history. The practice was founded by Dr. Robert Schrameyer and has since grown into one of the larger family practices in West St. Louis County, with a team that includes multiple dentists and room to see a family of five simultaneously — a genuine convenience if you’ve ever tried to coordinate five separate appointments.
They’ve landed on St. Louis Magazine’s “Top Docs” list for multiple years running and have won “The Talk Awards” for patient satisfaction a reported ten consecutive times. Those things can be marketing fluff, but the 4.9 Google rating and volume of reviews suggest it’s not just manufactured reputation.
Services include:
- Preventive cleanings
- Implants
- Crowns
- Dentures
- Veneers
- Orthodontics
- Oral surgery
Saturday appointments are available, which is rare enough to mention.
4. Carron Family Dental — Ballwin, MO
Dr. Tyler Carron grew up in Des Peres, came from a family of dentists, and set up a practice in the area where he was raised. That kind of local rootedness tends to show in how a practice operates — less transactional, more long-term relationship oriented.
The reviews here lean heavily on anxiety. A lot of patients mention coming in tense and leaving surprised at how manageable the experience was. Dr. Carron’s habit of explaining each step as he goes seems to be the reason most of them cite. That’s not a complicated thing, but it’s something a lot of dentists don’t do.
They handle the standard range of general and restorative work, plus cosmetic services. Membership plans are available for patients without insurance, which is an increasingly important thing to look for.
5. Dentists of Independence — Independence, MO
Dentists of Independence is a Smile Generation-affiliated practice, which means it’s part of a larger network — but the patient reviews read like a neighborhood office, not a chain. Multiple people name the same hygienists and front desk staff in their Google reviews, which suggests the team stays consistent.
The practice does:
- Cleanings
- Crowns
- Deep gum cleaning
- Whitening
- Emergency dentistry
Recent reviews from late 2024 into 2025 mention short wait times and staff who explain what they’re doing rather than just getting on with it.
If you’re in Independence and want something straightforward — a place that does the basics well without a lot of add-on pressure — this one comes up regularly in local searches with consistent marks across the board.
Any of these five would be a reasonable starting point. The best fit comes down to what you need — whether that’s cosmetic work, a dentist your kids won’t dread, or just someone who won’t make you feel like you’re being upsold at every visit. All five seem to understand that distinction.
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