Main Line Media News Honors Dillon Family Dentistry as Best Restorative Dentist

 Dillon Family Dentistry has been recognized by Main Line Media News as Best Restorative Dentist, reflecting Dr. David Dillon’s 30+ years of expertise in advanced dental restoration, from implants to full mouth reconstruction, serving the Bryn Mawr and Main Line communities with patient-first care. 

I am extremely excited to announce that Dillon Family Dentistry has been awarded Best Restorative Dentist by Main Line Media News. Practicing in the exact same spot on Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr for over 30 years, this award means everything to my staff and me. However, knowing we have earned the trust of our Main Line community for so many years is even better.

When I consider the true meaning of restorative dentistry, it is not just about restoring teeth. It is about restoring function, restoring confidence, and allowing people to eat, speak, and/or smile freely without fear of drawing attention to their dental issues as a result of the restoration. Our philosophy is the same for anyone who comes to us with a crown that has cracked or needs their entire mouth rebuilt: we listen attentively, we explain in detail, and we create the last results.

To us, this is more than a decorative plaque in our office. It’s proof that our patient-first practice does work. To all of you wanting to have a restorative procedure done – whether you live in Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Haverford, or any of the surrounding communities – I’m going to lift the curtain and let you see what amazing restorative dentistry is all about!

What Makes Restorative Dentistry “Award-Winning” in Bryn Mawr?

Restorative care does not mean every dental practice works on restorative dentistry in the same manner. Some focus on quick turnover of patients, while others put more emphasis on creating an aesthetically solid restorative option than on providing patient function. It is for these reasons that Dillon Family Dentistry was selected as the best dentist by Main Line Media News; they refuse to compromise on either of these two aspects of restorative work.

All practitioners who perform restorative dentistry will use a range of restorative treatments from simple fillings and caps through to more complex treatments such as root canals or dental implants, as well as full mouth reconstruction. However, every restorative treatment will involve restoring the patient’s teeth to a functional position while allowing the patient to have a natural-looking smile.

Our patients in Bryn Mawr aren’t merely seeking quick fixes; they want longer-lasting solutions that will function wonderfully for many years to come, five, ten, or even twenty years down the road. With this comprehensive perspective in mind, you can understand how much experience means to me. With over 30 years of clinical experience, I have provided thousands of crowns, restored hundreds of implants, and completely rehabilitated countless smiles from scratch. Every case provides me with another lesson in dentistry as well as builds upon my knowledge of performing these procedures, thus leading to more successful outcomes for my patients.

It’s not just about having technical skills; our practice stands out from others because of the combination of highly trained staff, state-of-the-art equipment, and true concern for each individual patient’s unique needs. When a patient enters my office, they will never be referred to as simply their patient number, but as one of my neighbours and fellow residents living on the Main Line who deserve to receive the highest level of service.

The Full Spectrum of Restorative Dental Services We Offer

Restorative dentistry isn’t a single procedure; it’s a comprehensive approach to rebuilding oral health. At Dillon Family Dentistry, we offer the complete range of restorative treatments, and we customize every plan to fit the individual needs of our Bryn Mawr patients.

Dental Crowns and Bridges

Crowns can be considered the most versatile type of restoration in the field of dental labs. Crowns can be used to restore strength and appearance to a tooth that has been fractured, has a large filling that has begun to fail, or has been weakened by a prior root canal treatment. Crowns are made out of very strong ceramic materials (such as BruxZir and eMax), which will allow the tooth to remain esthetically pleasing while withstanding the rigors of everyday chewing.

Bridges are dental restorations that can replace missing teeth by attaching to the adjacent teeth using crowns. Bridges have been used for a long time, and when properly constructed, they will have an appearance similar to the teeth that you were originally born with.

Dental Implant Restoration

Implants have changed how we do restorations in the dental field, and they are usually one of the best long-term options available for replacing missing teeth. Implants consist of a titanium post that is placed into your bone and acts as an artificial root for your missing tooth. After healing from placement, a custom crown will be placed on the implant to create a replacement tooth that looks, feels, and functions like your natural tooth.

I have been placing implants for over 20 years, and if you follow proper protocols during placement, the amount of success you can expect is exceptional. If you need just one missing tooth all the way up to a full arch, an implant will provide you with stability and confidence that no other removable dental prosthesis can offer. For this reason, implants are the gold standard in replacing missing teeth for our Bryn Mawr patients.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

Many people come to my office with a long history of dental problems (e.g., untreated problems, severe decay, losing old dental work, trauma). Full mouth reconstruction treats these issues comprehensively by rebuilding the whole bite completely, starting from the bottom.

These may be very complicated cases, requiring extensive planning, and may require a combined use of crowns, bridges, implants, and orthodontics to get the best end result. The transformation can be incredible, with patients being able to bite into an apple for the first time in years after not being able to eat solid food. The excitement in a patient’s eyes when they can laugh openly and freely for the first time in years is an experience I will never forget.

Full mouth reconstruction is not something a person can typically do fast or affordably; however, for those in need, the quality-of-life impact is immeasurable. At Bryn Mawr Dental, we work with each patient individually to develop a phased treatment plan that meets both their budget and long-term goals.

Why Experience Matters in Restorative Dentistry

Complex restorative dentistry cannot be learned from books alone. It takes years of practical experience through hands-on training, ongoing education, and making some mistakes along the way to help me know how to improve the next time I do it.

When Main Line Media News selects dentists for their “Best Of” awards, they don’t just look at your credentials; they also evaluate how good the outcomes are, how happy patients are with your care, and how much other professionals respect you within the dental profession. To have other dental professionals in your area respect you means that you are trusted to provide care to their families, and that carries a lot of moral weight.

I have had the opportunity to study with some of the best in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, but learning from the patients I treated who lived here in Bryn Mawr has been the best form of education. Each patient presented their own unique case. A 35-year-old gentleman with a fractured molar will respond differently from a 75-year-old woman with multiple failed bridges. My 30 years of experience have taught me that each individual requires careful consideration of these differences – when to be conservative vs when to be aggressive.

Continuing education is another area in which our practice invests significantly. In dentistry, materials, techniques, and technology are continuously changing. In dentistry, what worked well ten years ago may no longer be the best choice. It is a responsibility of every patient who trusts us for their care to maintain up-to-date knowledge.

The Dillon Family Dentistry Difference: A Patient-First Philosophy

The reason we earned this award from the Main Line Media News is that we have never sold dentistry before. I know this may sound weird, but give me a chance to explain.

In our Bryn Mawr office, we do not have sales quotas or push treatment; when someone comes in for a consultation, my job is to educate them on their options, outline the advantages and disadvantages of each, and allow them to choose what works best for their individual situation. Some dentists may only suggest the highest cost option every time, but we present every option available to the patient, from least invasive to most invasive, and respect any decision made by the patient.

This is how we build something very special: trust. The patient knows that we are not trying to oversell them. They know that if I suggest a crown instead of a filling, it is because the tooth truly needs a crown, not because I am trying to increase production numbers.

We also have the ability to take our time compared to many other dentists. Dentistry that is rushed is bad dentistry. I check the margins on a tooth twice before I prepare a crown for it, and check them again when the crown is ready to be put in place. When I select a shade for a restoration, I look at it in all types of light to ensure it blends into the surrounding natural teeth. This attention to detail requires time, which is factored into our schedule. You will never feel rushed out the door because we need to see the next patient. We want to provide you with the most relaxing atmosphere possible while you are here for restorative procedures, which typically take time. You will feel the difference upon entering our Bryn Mawr office,