A Smile Reborn
How Dr. James A. Vito transformed one patient’s life, one tooth at a time.
On a stretch of Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, the heart of Philadelphia’s Main Line, sits a world-class dental practice where science and artistry intersect. At the helm is James A. Vito, D.M.D., a dual-trained specialist in prosthodontics and periodontics—a rare combination that has earned him a reputation as one of the Northeast’s leading authorities in comprehensive smile reconstruction.
While his patient list includes business executives and media personalities, as well as patients who live far from the Philadelphia area, he takes great pride in making a profound difference in the life of each patient. One recent example: a schoolteacher from Montgomery County who reminded Dr. Vito why he pursued dentistry in the first place.
The Reluctant Patient
Brian Hartnell (name changed to protect privacy) had avoided the dentist for more than a decade. A mixture of dental anxiety and financial hardship kept him from seeking care until his mouth became a constant source of pain—even a source of shame. Advanced periodontal disease and several failed restorations had left him unable to smile without covering his face.
Brian Hartnell (name changed to protect privacy) had avoided the dentist for more than a decade. A mixture of dental anxiety and financial hardship kept him from seeking care until his mouth became a constant source of pain—even a source of shame. Advanced periodontal disease and several failed restorations had left him unable to smile without covering his face.
“My self-esteem was at a low point,” Brian says. “I avoided mirrors, photos, and even social gatherings. I felt like I was disappearing.”
Encouraged by his younger sister, Hartnell scheduled a consultation with Dr. Vito—a name she happened upon while researching the top prosthodontists in the region. From the first appointment, Dr. Vito approached Hartnell’s case with the precision of a surgeon and the vision of an artist. Using 3D imaging, cone-beam CT scans, and intraoral photography, he developed a comprehensive treatment plan that addressed both the structural and aesthetic needs of Hartnell’s smile.
“We don’t just treat teeth—we treat the person behind the smile,” Dr. Vito explains. “For Brian, that meant stabilizing his gum health before we could even think about reconstruction.”
Phase one focused on periodontal therapy: deep cleanings, antibiotic delivery, and minor periodontal surgery to address bone loss and active infection. Over several months, Hartnell’s gum tissue transformed from inflamed and receding to firm, pink, and healthy. Once the periodontal foundation was stable, Dr. Vito turned his attention to prosthodontics—his specialty in restoring and replacing missing teeth. Hartnell was missing several posterior teeth and had severely worn anterior teeth that compromised his bite and appearance.
Rather than simply placing implants and crowns, Dr. Vito used specialized software to virtually rebuild Hartnell’s entire mouth. A combination of ceramic crowns, implant-supported bridges, and custom-milled zirconia restorations allowed Dr. Vito to recreate a natural, balanced, and fully functional dentition.
Restoring Confidence
After a year of carefully staged treatment, Hartnell returned for his final seating in Dr. Vito’s dental chair—the moment when temporary restorations were replaced with his permanent, custom smile. As Hartnell looked into the mirror and saw his restored smile for the first time, he initially said nothing. Then his hands trembled slightly, and tears formed in his eyes.
After a year of carefully staged treatment, Hartnell returned for his final seating in Dr. Vito’s dental chair—the moment when temporary restorations were replaced with his permanent, custom smile. As Hartnell looked into the mirror and saw his restored smile for the first time, he initially said nothing. Then his hands trembled slightly, and tears formed in his eyes.
“I didn’t recognize myself—but in the best way,” Hartnell recalls. “I looked like me again—the old me. Or maybe the version of me I was meant to be.”
Dr. Vito, who is used to these emotional moments, simply nodded. “People think we change lives with tools and materials,” he says. “But really, we change lives by restoring their confidence.”
Since completing his treatment, Hartnell’s life has changed in dramatic fashion. He accepted a leadership role at his school. He volunteered to give a TED-style talk to his students about overcoming their fears and issues pertaining to self-doubt. He also started dating again.
“The ripple effect of a treatment like this can be incredible,” says Dr. Vito. “When someone feels good about their smile, they participate in life differently. They speak up. They show up.”
An Architect of Smiles
Dr. Vito credits his success not only to advanced training but also to his multidisciplinary approach. By integrating periodontics and prosthodontics under one roof, he offers patients a seamless experience from diagnosis to delivery—eliminating the need for referrals and ensuring every step is part of a unified vision.
Dr. Vito credits his success not only to advanced training but also to his multidisciplinary approach. By integrating periodontics and prosthodontics under one roof, he offers patients a seamless experience from diagnosis to delivery—eliminating the need for referrals and ensuring every step is part of a unified vision.
Despite his accolades and elite clientele, it’s patients like Brian Hartnell who leave the most lasting impression. In a thank-you note, Hartnell wrote: “You fixed my teeth and gave me my smile back. You also gave me the courage to start living my life again.”
Dr. Vito, ever humble, offers a soft smile, adding, “Dentistry is a science, but it’s also deeply human. Sometimes the most extraordinary transformations begin with the simple decision to reach out to someone who can help and say, ‘I’m ready to change my life.’”
About Dr. James A. Vito
With more than three decades in practice, Dr. Vito remains at the forefront of dental innovation. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious dental program, he holds advanced degrees in both prosthodontics and periodontics—a combination that positions him uniquely among dental specialists. He maintains a private practice in the Philadelphia suburbs specializing in prosthodontics, periodontics, implant dentistry, and aesthetic smile reconstruction. He believes his decades of experience and patient-first philosophy enable him to set the gold standard in the delivery of comprehensive dental care.
With more than three decades in practice, Dr. Vito remains at the forefront of dental innovation. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious dental program, he holds advanced degrees in both prosthodontics and periodontics—a combination that positions him uniquely among dental specialists. He maintains a private practice in the Philadelphia suburbs specializing in prosthodontics, periodontics, implant dentistry, and aesthetic smile reconstruction. He believes his decades of experience and patient-first philosophy enable him to set the gold standard in the delivery of comprehensive dental care.
Visit www.jamesvito.com or call (610) 971-2590 for more information about Dr. Vito and his practice. His office is located at 523 East Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Photo by Jody Robinson
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, September 2025.
