About the Doctor

Dr. Timothy P. Walsh has practiced periodontics since 1981, and opened his practice in Berwyn that same year. Dr. Walsh graduated from Fenwick High School in 1971. After high school, Dr Walsh attended St. Mary's College in Winona, Minnesota, and graduated with honors in 1975.

Dr. Walsh received his dental degree at Loyola University in 1979. He completed a two-year advanced specialty program in periodontics in 1981 at the University of Illinois.

Attending continuing education courses each year enables Dr. Walsh to stay at the forefront of his specialty, so that he can provide the best care for his patients. Dr. Walsh also keeps up with the latest advancements in periodontics by maintaining membership with associations such as: American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, Illinois State Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society, Illinois Society of Periodontists, Academy of Osseointegration, and the International College of Oral Implantology.

Dr. Walsh was President of the Illinois Society of Periodontists in 1992. He was chairman of the dental division of MacNeal Hospital in 1989. In 2004, Dr. Walsh was elected President of the Midwest Society of Periodontists. The Midwest Society is the professional organization of the periodontists in ten midwestern states. Dr. Walsh was elected a fellow of the International College of Oral Implantology in 1995.

Dr. Walsh lives in Hinsdale with his wife, Cathy, and their four children, Sarah, Patrick, Casey and Catherine.

Our Services

Non-Surgical Therapy

Scaling and Root Planing: When plaque extends below the gum line, gingivitis can deteriorate into periodontitis. Scaling and root planing removes the plaque to reduce pocket depth.

Subgingival Irrigation: This involves placing an antiseptic solution below the gum line to "flush out" the bacterial plaque.

Antibiotic Fibers: Antibiotic fibers may be placed below the gum line to release tetracycline in a controlled continuous pattern over 7-10 days.

Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Pocket Elimination Surgery: Pocket elimination treatment is the surgical removal of deep periodontal pockets adjacent to the teeth, created by plaque and calculus deposits.

Gum Grafting Surgery: This is performed to cover exposed surfaces which are more vulnerable to cavities and more sensitive to cold.

Crown Lengthening: When patients continually experience loose crowns or bridges, crown lengthening may be warranted. It is also indicated when a tooth has fractured or is decayed beneath the gum line. The procedure allows your general dentist the ability to restore the tooth in a healthy environment.

Ridge Augmentation: Loss of teeth or tooth extraction results in "predictable" ridge erosion. This enables your periodontist to restore lost tissue, so that replacement teeth (implants or bridgework) will have a maximum esthetic and functional result.

Implant Therapy: Dental implants replace teeth that have been missing since birth, and those that have been lost to gum disease, infection, trauma or decay. These implants become a permanent part of your mouth.

Periodontal Maintenance: Once your mouth is restored to health, it is our commitment to maintain your dental health. To achieve this, we ask that you periodically return for a routine examination, scaling and root planing. With proper care, things can be easily treated before major problems occur. Service is provided by the best trained hygienists you can find anywhere.

Emergency Information

We hope that you will never experience a dental emergency, but given the chance that you might, we want you to know that we are always available to help you.

If, during office hours, you are having pain or experiencing an emergency, please call us immediately so that we may schedule the best time available for you. We will do everything possible to give you the highest priority, and immediately treat the cause of the problem.

Should an emergency occur after hours, we can still be reached 24 hours a day. Dr. Walsh is always on call.

Incidentally, you will be glad to know that, because of our comprehensive examinations, our patients experience very few emergencies.

Philosophy and Patient Comfort

Our philosophy is to continually strive to further our commitment to our patients by understanding their personal needs and helping them successfully fill their expectations and desires. We will deliver this through technical excellence, financial responsibility, and an exceptional concern for patient comfort. We will perform in an enthusiastic manner while maintaining a friendly environment, thus developing in our patients an appreciation for our efforts to improve the quality of their lives.

To achieve our goals and help serve your needs, every patient should have a comprehensive dental and periodontal examination (please see "Our Services" for examination procedures and options). The results of this examination are analyzed by Dr. Walsh. His findings are then discussed with your general dentist, and a complete diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plan are formulated. Written and oral reports are sent to your general dentist.

We believe strongly in the team approach. We work with you and your general dentist to provide you with the most current periodontal treatment available.

Dr. Walsh prides himself on making your dental and periodontal experiences as pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Educating patients about their treatment beforehand is the best way to make them feel the most comfortable. Dr. Walsh and his staff thoroughly explain their treatment philosophy and procedures. If you have any questions before or during the procedure, we will carefully explain further and won't begin again until you feel fully confident. Building trust reduces fear and affords a pleasant dental experience.

We use the latest techniques to reduce dental discomfort during our procedures. These modalities include local anesthesia, oral premedication, and IV sedation. These options are discussed with our patients during the treatment-planning consultation.

Financial Policy

SINGLE VISIT SERVICES

(examination, periodontal maintenance, radiographs) are to be paid at the time of service. Payment can be made by cash, checks, Visa or MasterCard.

AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS

For any treatment over $600, you can receive a 5% discount if paid in full by cash or check on the day of treatment. A 3% discount applies if paid in full by Visa or MasterCard on the day of treatment.

TREATMENTS

Patients without Dental Insurance:

• Payment for scaling & root planing can be evenly divided over the number of treatment visits.
• Payment for periodontal surgery and dental implants can be made by placing a 50% deposit at the time of surgery. You can pay the balance:
  1. By issuing 3 postdated checks or 3 filled out & signed credit card slips of 3 equal payments which will be posted to your account one per month over the next 3 months.
  2. By using Care Credit and receiving 3 months interest free. Care Credit is a credit card for dental treatment which allows the patient to pay for the treatment over 3 months interest free. You will need to fill out a simple application. Please ask our receptionist for further details.

Patients with Dental Insurance

• Pre-estimates will normally take 4-6 weeks. If we submit a pre-estimate to your insurance company, your share as predetermined by the company, is due on the day of treatment.
• Payment for scaling & root planning and periodontal surgery - If you wish to start treatment before the pre-estimate is returned, we will have you pay 30% at the time of treatment. We will bill your insurance for the entire amount. Any overpayment to our office will be reimbursed to you. If your insurance pays less than the 70% our office estimated, we will bill you for the balance at the completion of treatment.
• Payment for dental implants - If you wish to start treatment before the pre-estimate is returned, we will have you pay 50% at the time of treatment. We will bill your insurance for the entire amount. Any overpayment to our office will be reimbursed to you. If your insurance pays less than the 50% our office estimated, we will bill you for the balance at the completion of treatment.
• *If you are insured through Delta Dental or Comp-Dent-State of Illinois, you are asked to pay for your treatment in full. Delta Dental or Comp-Dent-State of Illinois will send their reimbursement payment directly to you.
• Medicare, HMO policies and DMO policies do not provide coverage for treatment performed at our office. We will not file any paperwork associated with these plans.

We know questions can arise on insurance matters. We encourage you to discuss such questions with our business staff. We will help you receive the maximum benefits: however, please remember the agreement of the insurance company to pay for your dental care is a contract between YOU and the INSURANCE COMPANY. We will be happy to file your insurance as a courtesy to you.

We will always try to accommodate you by staging treatment at a rate in which you can afford the dental treatment.

State-of-the-Art Technology

We take pride in offering the highest quality dental care, using the latest state-of-the-art equipment, techniques and procedures. Sophisticated equipment helps us diagnose potential problems, communicate treatments needs, and plan effective therapy before extensive treatment is needed. Here's just a sample of the technology we employ:

Intra-Oral Camera: A part of the new patient exam, this camera allows the staff to easily and painlessly photograph the inside of your mouth. The photographic image can be projected onto a color monitor and enlarged for you and the doctor to view together. Because this magnification allows us to see your mouth more clearly, we are able to provide better, more informed dental care.

Computers: Our computer system is designed to manage the most effective and up-to-date practice within the periodontal industry. This system files insurance claims and generates letters to patients, other dentists, and insurance companies. We make sure our computer system takes care of the technicalities, so that we can provide you with the utmost individualized care.

Implants: We have the equipment, staff and training to place currently accepted dental implants. Coupled with advanced CAT scans, we can place implants via a computer simulation.

Patient Protection Procedures

In the last few years, patient protection and asepsis have become an issue of public concern. With the discovery of the AIDS (HIV) Virus and the continuing problem with the Hepatitis-B Virus, it has become necessary for health care facilities to constantly upgrade the techniques of sterilization and disinfection products to provide you with maximum protection.

In our office, your safety is our highest priority. Throughout the day, we perform a number of sterilization procedures for your protection. Examples of these procedures include:

All treatment surfaces (i.e. countertops, chair surfaces, lights, x-ray machines, trays) are disinfected with the most effective and safest products available, before and after each patient appointment.

To ensure your safety, we follow a number of standard sterilization procedures with all instruments. First, all instruments are brought back to our lab and placed in an ultrasonic cleanser. The instruments are then rinsed thoroughly before being sterilized in an autoclave, which runs for 20 minutes and reaches a temperature of 400-425 degrees, thereby destroying any bacteria or viruses. All handpieces are sterilized in a state-of-the-art autoclave.

Our autoclave and dry heat sterilizer are monitored regularly to ensure their effectiveness and safety.

Staff members use masks, safety glasses and new gloves for each new patient.

TO OUR PATIENTS WITH INSURANCE BENEFITS

Dental benefits plans are made available to employees of members, through companies, unions, and associations, and may vary considerably from one plan to the next.

The range of benefits depends solely on what the plan purchaser wishes to offer employees or members. Some plans may cover as little as 30% or as much as 100% of dental services, with most falling in the 50% to 80% range. Some plans exclude certain types of services, e.g. orthodontics, while other plans will cover a full range of dental services.

Some plans base the amount of benefit on a chart or schedule of fees arbitrarily developed by third party payers. For this reason, you may receive a lower percentage of the reimbursement level indicated in your dental plan. For example, if your plan states that it will pay 80% of dental treatment, it means 80% of the fee as determined by the insurance company, and not the actual fee charged.

As the number of patients covered by dental benefits plans has increased, certain assumptions have become evident, and I would like to make the principles of my practice, as well as the type of service and care I provide my patients, very clear:

• My fees are based on the following: the treatment plan selected, the experience taken to provide you with the necessary dental care, and the overhead involved in my practice. I do not believe it is in either of our best interests for me to compromise my recommended treatment, in order to accommodate a dental plan's maximum benefits that may be considerably less than optimal. However, I am more than happy to discuss a treatment plan's advantages and disadvantages with you, thereby involving you, not the third party payer, in the decision-making process.
• The type of treatment you need and receive from me is based upon my professional judgment, and not whether you are covered by a dental benefits plan.
• As a courtesy to you, my staff will complete the dental portion of your claim form. To expedite processing, make sure that the patient portion of the form is filled out completely and accurately.
• If you direct the insurance company to pay its share of the cost of a treatment directly to my office, you will receive credit for this amount and be billed for any balance. Upon receipt of payment from the third party, my staff will reconcile the bill, and refund any amount due you.
• If your dental benefits plan requires a "predetermination" or "prior authorization", I will submit a treatment plan for review by the third party payer. However, please remember that the financial obligations for the dental treatment is between you and this office. The third party payer is responsible to you and not to this office.
• If you receive communication from the third party payer suggesting that my fee is over and above the usual and customary rate for the services provided to you, please do not accept this as fact without first discussing the matter with me. The third party payer's fee data may be extremely out of date. It may not take into consideration local factors in establishing its schedule, and its geographic area may include the entire country or state.
• If, after our discussions, you believe that the dental benefits provided by your plan are inadequate, you may want to discuss the matter with your employer, union or association, so that appropriate alternatives can be investigated.

I will help you in every way in filing your claims, handling insurance queries, processing follow-ups, lost claims, etc. No question is too small for you to ask, whether it is about your treatment, benefit plan or statement. Stop in or call, anytime you have a question. We are here to help you.

Dr. Timothy P. Walsh, DDS and Staff