David Zelby, DDS

Dr. David A. Zelby is an Atlanta prosthodontist with more than four decades of experience in advanced restorative and reconstructive dentistry. A graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, he completed a hospital-based dental residency at French and Polyclinic Hospital in New York City, followed by advanced prosthodontic training at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Zelby has combined private practice with dental education, including 12 years on the faculty of Emory University School of Dentistry and a clinical academic appointment with the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University.

Dr. Zelby's practice focuses on patients who need a higher level of restorative expertise, including dental implant restoration, full-mouth reconstruction, implant-supported dentures, custom complete and partial dentures, crowns and bridges, porcelain veneers, and restoration of teeth damaged by wear, trauma, disease, or previous dental treatment. He is frequently involved in complex cases requiring careful diagnosis and coordination among dental specialists, working collaboratively with oral surgeons, periodontists, and other clinicians when appropriate. His approach begins with a comprehensive evaluation and a fundamental question: what treatment offers this individual patient the best opportunity for long-term health, function, and a natural result?

Beyond private practice, Dr. Zelby has maintained a longstanding commitment to dental education and community service. He began volunteering with Atlanta's Ben Massell Dental Clinic in 1978, served as Director of Prosthetics and later as Chief of Staff, and continues to contribute his expertise to challenging prosthodontic cases. His career reflects a philosophy that has remained consistent for more than forty years: sophisticated dentistry begins with an accurate diagnosis, thoughtful treatment planning, and the experience to know not simply what can be done, but what should be done for each patient.