JOLIET, IL — In a healthcare landscape that often feels rushed, transactional, and impersonal, RRC Orthodontics has quietly built something different over the last several decades a practice rooted in relationship, trust, and an unwavering commitment to the communities it serves. With five locations across Will and Grundy Counties in Joliet, New Lenox, Wilmington, Minooka, and Morris RRC Orthodontics has grown into one of the most recognized and respected orthodontic groups in the greater Chicagoland area, serving thousands of patients of all ages with care that is as warm as it is clinically excellent.


A Practice Built on Legacy and Personal Mission

The story of RRC Orthodontics isn't just a business story. It's a family story one that spans generations and reflects a genuine calling to serve.

Dr. Clarence Red III grew up in New Lenox and Joliet, Illinois, watching two powerful role models shape his sense of purpose. His father, Dr. Clarence Red Jr., spent over 30 years building a thriving orthodontic practice in Joliet and Morris. His mother, Una, was a midwife and registered nurse at Cook County Hospital and later a volunteer nurse at the Will County Medical Clinic. From an early age, Dr. Red understood that healthcare wasn't just a profession it was a form of service to people at their most vulnerable and hopeful moments.

"It was during those formative years that I became interested in pursuing a career in orthodontics as a way to help people," Dr. Red has shared, adding that this upbringing also inspired his desire to incorporate dental and medical missionary volunteer work into his practice. That desire didn't stay abstract it has shaped the culture and character of every office that bears his name.

Dr. Alexander Ritchey's path to orthodontics carries its own sense of rootedness. Born and raised in Joliet alongside his wife Sheri, Dr. Ritchey earned his Bachelor of Science from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1995, followed by a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree with honors from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 2000. He went on to complete a prestigious Orthodontic Residency at St. Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education, earning a Master of Science in Dentistry in 2002. When it came time to build his career, his choice was clear: come home.

In January 2003, Dr. Ritchey joined Dr. Richard Renwick's practice as an associate. Within a year, he purchased Dr. Renwick's Joliet and Morris practices not just to run a business, but to continue serving the community that had always called him back. Eventually, Dr. Ritchey and Dr. Red found in each other a shared philosophy and complementary strengths. They merged their practices to form what is today known as RRC Orthodontics a name that carries the weight of both their legacies and the combined traditions of practices dating back to 1965.


Five Locations, One Standard of Care

Geography matters when it comes to healthcare. Families shouldn't have to travel far, rearrange their schedules, or choose between quality and convenience. RRC Orthodontics understood this from the beginning, which is why the practice has intentionally expanded to serve multiple communities not from a single flagship location, but from five distinct offices embedded in the neighborhoods where their patients actually live.


Joliet: The original home base, located conveniently near local landmarks and easily accessible from across the city. Serving patients Monday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
New Lenox: Located at 1938 East Lincoln Hwy, with extended evening hours on Mondays to accommodate working families open until 7:00 PM.
Wilmington: A welcoming office dedicated to patients seeking quality orthodontic care in a smaller community setting, with personalized attention for all age groups.
Minooka: A high-quality care center at 104 North Ridge Rd, where the team takes pride in precision treatment and a family-oriented atmosphere.
Morris: Serving Grundy County's residents with the same commitment to affordable, expert orthodontic care that defines every RRC location.


Each location can be reached directly patients in the Joliet, New Lenox, and Wilmington region can call (815) 744-2990, while those in the Minooka and Morris area can reach the team at (815) 255-2890. Appointment requests can also be made online at rrcorthodontics.com.


Comprehensive Treatment Options for Every Stage of Life

One of the most significant misconceptions about orthodontics is that it's only for teenagers. RRC Orthodontics has built its practice around the reality that teeth, jaws, and bites can benefit from professional orthodontic care at virtually any age from early childhood through adulthood.

The full suite of treatment options at RRC Orthodontics includes:

Traditional Metal Braces The gold standard of orthodontic treatment, reliable and effective for a wide range of dental alignment issues. Today's metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more precise than ever before.

Clear Ceramic Braces For patients who want the effectiveness of braces with a more discreet appearance, ceramic braces blend naturally with the color of teeth. This is a popular option among teens and adults who are conscious of aesthetics but want a proven treatment approach.

Titanium Braces A specialized option for patients with particular needs, combining strength with biocompatibility.

Invisalign® and Clear Aligners The practice offers both standard Invisalign and Invisalign Teen®, the clear aligner system that allows patients to straighten their teeth with a series of nearly invisible, removable trays. This option is increasingly popular among adults and image-conscious teens who don't want their treatment to change how they look day to day.

Early (Interceptive) Treatment RRC Orthodontics is an advocate for early evaluation. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be seen for an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. Catching bite or alignment issues early can simplify or in some cases eliminate the need for more complex treatment later.

Surgical Orthodontics For more complex skeletal or jaw alignment issues that braces alone cannot correct, the team works collaboratively with oral surgeons to deliver integrated care.

Holistic Alternatives Recognizing that some patients prefer a more natural, whole-body approach to their health and dental care, RRC Orthodontics also offers holistic alternatives to traditional orthodontic methods.

This breadth of options allows the doctors and their team to develop treatment plans that are genuinely personalized not a one-size-fits-all prescription, but a carefully considered recommendation based on each patient's specific anatomy, lifestyle, age, and goals.


Technology That Serves the Patient, Not Just the Practice

Modern orthodontics has been transformed by technology, and RRC Orthodontics has embraced the tools that make a measurable difference in patient experience and outcomes. Digital scanning replacing traditional impressions with precise 3D imaging is one example. Rather than sitting with a mouth full of uncomfortable molding material, patients at RRC Orthodontics can now have their teeth mapped digitally in a matter of minutes.

As one patient shared after a Mother's Day event at the New Lenox office: "Jackie B took my scans and X-rays. She explained in detail what she was doing and why." That transparency the simple act of walking a patient through what's happening and why is both a technological and a human commitment. The machines are only as valuable as the people who use them thoughtfully.

The practice's investment in technology is part of a broader philosophy: that patients deserve to understand their own treatment, be comfortable during it, and trust that the recommendations they receive are driven by clinical evidence and up-to-date methods.


What Patients Are Saying

In the age of online reviews, it's easy to be skeptical of glowing testimonials. But when a pattern appears across dozens of independent reviews, over years, and across multiple locations it tells a story that's hard to dismiss.

Across platforms from Google to Facebook to Yelp, patients of RRC Orthodontics return again and again to the same themes: kindness, genuine expertise, a family-like atmosphere, and results that exceed expectations.

"I cannot say enough about the entire staff at Red and Ritchey. They are so kind, helpful, and just plain awesome. We've had two kids go through them for braces the whole process was easy, and they have the most beautiful teeth."

"Dr. Red has got to be one of the kindest doctors I have ever had the privilege to know. I am a nurse and I have come in contact with hundreds in my lifetime. His offices operate so smoothly that you feel like you are part of a family."

"I have gone to Dr. Red for over six years and he never fails to impress me. All of his staff is very friendly and welcoming."

"Dr. Ritchey was awesome. I was able to get in any time we needed to, and my daughter's teeth look amazing. I also had zero issues with my MetLife dental insurance. I would definitely recommend."

"Every experience we have had since the initiation of our son's braces has been great. The staff at every location has been extremely accommodating to our hectic schedules. Dr. Red and Dr. Ritchey have gone above and beyond."

What stands out is not just the praise for clinical results though those are consistent but the emotional dimension: patients feel seen, welcomed, and genuinely cared for. In an era where healthcare often feels like a transaction, that quality is not a small thing.


A Practice That Gives Back

Dr. Ritchey has spent more than 20 years of practice being actively involved in community organizations. He is a provider and member of both the Smile Change Lives and Gifted Smiles programs initiatives that provide orthodontic care to young people who otherwise couldn't access it. He has served on the board of the George Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club of Joliet, and has taken on leadership roles at both the state and local levels of organized dentistry and orthodontics.

His wife Sheri has been equally committed volunteering with the JJWC, Easter Seals, and the Joliet Historical Museum. Together, they have sponsored local school fundraisers, sports teams, and student activities through their practice for years.

Most recently, RRC Orthodontics announced a new partnership with Tiny Changes, a community initiative focused on environmental stewardship a reminder that the practice's sense of responsibility extends well beyond the walls of the exam room.

This culture of giving back is not a marketing strategy. It's an expression of who Dr. Red and Dr. Ritchey are, shaped by parents who devoted themselves to nursing and healing, and carried forward into everything they build.


Accessibility and Affordability: No One Left Behind

Beautiful, healthy smiles should not be a luxury reserved for those with the highest incomes or the most comprehensive insurance plans. RRC Orthodontics is deliberate about making its services accessible to a wide range of patients, offering high-quality care at an affordable price point, flexible scheduling across five locations, and a team that works comfortably with major insurance providers including MetLife dental insurance, as many patients have confirmed.

The practice's multi-location model is itself an equity strategy: by maintaining offices in smaller communities like Wilmington, Morris, and Minooka not just the larger urban centers RRC Orthodontics ensures that families in rural and suburban areas don't have to choose between convenience and quality.


Looking Ahead

As RRC Orthodontics looks toward the future, the foundations of what has made the practice successful remain firmly in place: two highly credentialed, deeply community-rooted doctors; a team culture that prioritizes patient experience; modern technology that enhances precision and comfort; and a commitment to giving back that has never wavered.

The practice continues to grow in the number of families it serves, in the community partnerships it builds, and in the trust it earns one smile at a time. For any family in Will or Grundy County who has ever wondered whether now is the right time to seek orthodontic care the answer, at RRC Orthodontics, is simply: come in and find out. The first consultation is the beginning of a relationship, not just a transaction.