Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry Servicing Northwest Chicago
Dr. Wittmus received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Northwestern University in 1991. After graduating from dental school, he worked as the house staff surgical resident at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin from 1991 to 1993. He returned to Chicago where he started a private practice on the Northwest side. He has been an Academy of Dentistry International Fellow since 1995 for his humanitarian efforts overseas. Dr. Wittmus has been providing free health care in Armenia since 2001 where he maintains a summer clinic and 2 mobile buses that provide care year round in war torn border villages.
After 30 years of constant continuing education with the top educators in dentistry, his clinical expertise in dental implantology has been recognized by receiving a Surgical Fellowship with the Misch International Implant Institute and a Fellowship with the International College of Oral Implantologists. He has been a Spear Education mentor since 2008 as well as a Gordon Christensen mentor. Recently, he was awarded a Fellowship in the class of 2023 in The International College of Dentists USA Section!
Dr. Wittmus has served on the Chicago Dental Society Peer Review Committee for 22 years and is the current chairman. Dr. Wittmus has been a high tech dentist utilizing Schick 33 digital x-ray sensors for 22 years and Cerec one-visit dentistry for 20 years. He provides a full range of dental services including non-surgical periodontal therapy using Gemini Evo™ diode lasers, all dental implants systems, cosmetic resin bonding, porcelain veneers, and teeth whitening. He is also an Invisalign® Preferred Provider.
Our Advantages
Accepting Insurance
Cards
We accept all PPO dental insurance plans. We provide complimentary pretreatment estimates upon request.
Using Innovative
Technology
We are furnished with state of the art equipment and maintained at the highest standards.
Guarantee Success
of Treatments
Most of our treatments are covered by a long term guarantee which will be discussed with you before beginning treatment.
Certified Dentist
Doctors
With over 30 years of dental experience, we are experts in all facets of dentistry.
of experience
clients
certifications
Our Happy Clients
Dr Wittmus and staff have been amazing over the decades that I’ve been coming for dental work. Clean office, professional and fun staff, and my teeth feel great. Thanks!
Dr. Wittmus is by far the best dentist I have ever had in my life! He is very caring and knowledgeable and always does what is best for his patients’ well-being. He lets you know exactly what is going on and thoroughly explains all options. And to top it off, he is very timely and compassionate as well. The office staff are extremely professional and skilled, and all together they make a 5 star team. Grateful Dental rocks!!!
Dr. Wittmus and his team are wonderful! You can rest assured that Dr. Wittmus has your best interests in mind with every recommendation and he will not suggest something you don’t need. He is very knowledgeable and you can tell he loves what he does. I love that he will always explain what he’s doing and next steps. Dr. Calderon is great as well! She’s always very gentle and takes her time with you. The entire team is always very warm and welcoming. The attention to details really makes a difference. For example, they will always try to make your experience a positive one and will hand you a warm nap to clean yourself after a cleaning or procedure. Highly recommend them and am so glad I found them!
Dr. Wittmus is an amazing dentist. He truly cares about his patients and is more focused on providing exceptional service than he is just about making money. I can honestly say he is the first dentist I’ve ever had that I enjoy going to see. I highly recommend him and his friendly staff.
“Grateful” is putting it lightly in my opinion. Dr. Wittmus and his staff are more like a “breath of fresh air”! They help you feel fully comfortable, explain and show you what you need, and it’s done correctly to help you enjoy your life to the greatest potential. Thank you for restoring my faith in dentists!
I have only been a patient for a couple of months now, but what a great dental practice. Everyone is very nice, goes above and beyond especially with insurance and making sure I am well taken care of. Dr. Wittmus is gentle and gives a great shot. Doesn’t hurt – amazing. Glad I found him!
Modern day medical care as somehow morphed into to an amalgamation of competing interests: the insurance company, the dentist’s office, your employer and yourself. This inefficient Chimera has the ability to not only make your life more complicated but also, and more importantly, hate going to the dentist. And you should never hate going to the dentist, especially if you have merely OK dental health. In walks the hero of our story, Grateful Dental, like a modern day Bellerophon, slaying this ugly Chimera so that your teeth and gums have a fighting chance. Extended hours so you don’t have to take a vacation day to go to the dentist, check. Accepting of almost all PPO plans, check. Nice and friendly people that will not make you feel super guilty about your flossing habits, check. Free parking, check. Excellent level of dental care, check. Recently, while traveling, I considered moving out of the country. However, my first thought was, I will still have to come back twice a year and go to Grateful Dental for my cleanings. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that strongly about a place, ever. Lest this review seem one-sided, I will say there is only one con about this place: the left turn on Central Ave. during rush hour is a bear. That’s not their fault, but a worthy mention if you appreciate a stable heart rate while driving here. Summary: Grateful Dental= A hero for your teeth, Your dental health = at its peak or they will work on it until it is there.
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Everyone at Grateful Dental was fantastic. In no time, I was sitting in the dentists chair and getting the process started. It was painless and my mouth feels like a million dollar smile. I had a wonderful experience from beginning to end. I even go myself a goodie bag!
Have to give Dr. Wittmus 5 stars. On my first visit, he came out into the waiting room and introduced himself. I got a follow up letter after my first visit, which was a nice touch. All of his staff was friendly and accommodating. A good friend of mine recommended Grateful Dental to me, as I have some apprehension about going to the dentist. I had a great one growing up, which set the bar really high. However, I had some not-so-great dentist experiences since then. I have a follow up appointment to have a filling replaced, and I feel absolutely no anxiety or trepidation about this upcoming appointment whatsoever. I am confident that I am in good hands.
I didn’t know a dentist office like this existed. My first time going here was actually accompanying my best friend for her consultation. After seeing the way the staff treated her, I walked out with an appointment for the following month.
Grateful Dental is the kind of place you can look forward to visiting twice a year.
Grateful Dental Team
Dr. Wittmus received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Northwestern University in 1991. He also received a Bachelors degree in Zoology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1987. Prior to opening his general practice in 1993, Dr. Wittmus served as the Oral Surgery resident at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1995 Dr. Wittmus received a Fellowship with the Academy of Dentistry International. In 2007 he received the Gordon Christensen Fellowship. Dr. Wittmus was former chairman of the peer review committee for the Chicago Dental Society.
Dr. Calderon graduated with Dr. Wittmus from Northwestern University Dental school, class of 1991. Dr. Calderon lives with her family in Lincolnshire.
Chris received a Bachelor in biology in 1998 from Saint Xavier University and her dental hygiene certificate from Prairie State College in 2001. Before becoming a dental hygienist, she worked as a dental assistant and held the position of territory manager for Warner-Lambert Pharmaceuticals. Chris’ post-graduate certifications include dental anesthesia, nitrous oxide delivery and proficiency in laser therapy. She is passionate about her profession and strives for excellence by keeping herself current with all dental innovations and medical-dental research.
Chris likes to bake and spoils the office with her yummy baked goodies!
My name is Lauren. I have worked with Dr. Wittmus for over 20 years. Our experience working together makes us unique in the way that we perform dental procedures efficiently and of course without pain. I sympathize greatly with patients who have dental anxiety since I myself suffer from general anxiety. I do all that I can to make our patients feel comfortable before and during their dental appointments. I am very aware of infection control procedures and each procedure I set up for as if I am setting up to be the patient treated. I live in Edison Park with my husband of 19 years and my three wonderful daughters. I am grateful for the years I’ve spent with Dr. Wittmus and our staff and look forward to many more.
Hi everyone! My name is Annie! I live in Norwood Park with my husband Tim, our daughters Willow and Fiona, and our dogs Cooper and Kenzie. I started in dentistry in 2011 in Fairfax, Virginia, as a cross trained dental assistant/front office personnel. I worked part-time while attending Northern Virginia Community College, where I graduated with my associate’s degree. In 2013, I moved back to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in biology.
I couldn’t stay away from dentistry, and luckily, I found that Dr. Wittmus was hiring! I have been with this office since 2014! I am extremely passionate and am here to help you with any questions or concerns about dentistry, billing, insurance, or your treatment.
My favorite part about dentistry is when we can convert patients with dental anxiety (that haven’t been to the dentist in years) to patients that we see routinely! Additionally, I love when patients can “spit back” (no pun intended) dental information that we try so hard to teach!
My most used dental products are the Oral-B Genius electric toothbrush, Sensodyne toothpaste (the fresh mint flavor is the best, nice and minty!), Listerine Ultraclean floss, and my water flosser!
Hello, everyone! My name is Natalia, and I live in Jefferson Park with my Boston Terrier, Jackson. I’ve been working with Dr. Wittmus and the Grateful Dental team since 2014, which is when I first joined the dental field! I was previously working in the beauty industry as a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. When I was studying anatomy of the face, head and neck muscles, etc. in esthetics school, I never thought I would be applying my knowledge in a completely different setting, but it worked out perfectly! Dr. Wittmus trained me to be his dental assistant, and I’m cross-trained to help out at the front desk as well, so you may catch me answering the phone if you call our office.
My favorite part of dentistry is definitely getting to know all of our amazing patients. I’ve gotten to meet some really great people over the years! I also love learning all the new technology in dentistry and applying it in our office, which ensures that we are giving our patients the highest level of care available.
My favorite dental products are definitely my Sonicare toothbrush (even though the rest of the team prefers the Oral-B), and my Invisalign aligners!
Hi, my name is Emily and I am the newest member of the team! My mom has worked with Dr. Wittmus for over 20 years and I am following in her footsteps! In October 2022, I began training at Grateful Dental and I’ve grown deeply invested into dental assisting. Dr. Wittmus and the rest of the Grateful Dental team have been the best teachers and I’ve learned a lot working here. I plan to keep assisting while also continuing to find my career path.
Hi! My name is Sarah. I’ve been working at Grateful Dental since August of 2020. I’ve learned a lot and made many memories while working here. My mom, Lauren, has been working with Dr. Wittmus since before I was born, so working with my mom (and sister) has been great. I am currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at Northeastern Illinois University. I have been playing the flute for about 12 years now and can’t wait to share my love of music with my future students.