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Joseph A. Zanthos, D.M.D.
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restorative dental care

Rebuild Your Smile

Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

Are you searching for solutions for broken or missing teeth, worn dental work or loose dentures?

Premier Family Dentistry general and cosmetic dentist Dr. Joseph Zanthos can consult with you to discuss options for restoring your dental health and smile confidence.

Dental Health Facts

Our body depends on a functional set of upper and lower teeth to support our ability to chew and speak properly. Each tooth has a specific job; front teeth are for biting and tearing food as well as proper speech, back teeth are used for grinding food. Our digestive system depends on proper chewing for processing food into fuel and nutrients for the body.

We may be biased, but we think teeth are really remarkable. Did you know that the hardest substance in the human body is tooth enamel? Enamel is the outer layer of tooth structure that protects the internal tooth dentin, nerves and blood supply for the tooth that keep it strong and healthy.

When tooth enamel becomes damaged by decay or trauma, the damage should usually be repaired as soon as possible. If the problem is not addressed, the problem will worsen and may cause infection or tooth fracture.

  • Tooth decay, or a dental cavity, begins when harmful bacteria organize in the mouth and combine with food particles and sugars to form dental plaque. Dental plaque produces acids that cause tooth decay. As decay spreads further into the tooth, it can develop into an infection and result in a painful abscess in the jawbone.

  • Teeth can also be damaged by injury, such as a blow to the mouth while playing sports or in a car accident. Excessive teeth grinding (bruxism) can also wear down tooth enamel and cause damage or tooth fracture.

The purpose of restorative dentistry is to treat dental problems and rebuild the bite to proper function and appearance. Restorative dentistry services that Dr. Joseph Zanthos provides at our Alabaster dental office include:

Dental Fillings

The purpose of a dental filling is to stop the decay process and rebuild compromised tooth structure to normal function. In a dental filling procedure, Dr. Zanthos will make sure you are completely comfortable using local anesthetic as he removes damaged tooth structure and places the filling materials.

Tooth-colored ‘white’ fillings are made of composite dental resins that are available in natural-looking shades to match existing teeth. Composite materials are generally used for cosmetic bonding procedures in front teeth or conservative fillings in front teeth, molars and premolars. Dr. Zanthos may recommend silver fillings for back teeth in some situations based on the location and size of the cavity and the desired strength of the restoration.

In most cases, fillings are effective for small cavities; however, large areas of decay and broken tooth structure typically require more durable restorations such as inlays, onlays or crowns.

Dental Crowns

If the tooth has become structurally weakened by damage or decay, a dental crown may be recommended to restore the tooth and support the bite.

Crowns cover the entire tooth above the gum line; they are made of natural-looking ceramics or a combination of ceramics and high quality metals. Dr. Zanthos designs your custom dental crown to look like your natural teeth and blend perfectly with your smile.

dental crown

CEREC® Same-Day Crowns in Alabaster

Dr. Joseph Zanthos is a certified CEREC® one-visit dentistry provider. Using patented CEREC® CAD-CAM technology, he is able to design and place dental crowns, inlays or onlays in a single appointment. CEREC® dentistry uses a digital scanning process, so there are no messy dental impressions. And, same-day dentistry means you don't have to hassle with a temporary crown. Learn more about CEREC® dentistry.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Damaged teeth can be pretty again with restorative dentistry - no more ugly dental work that looks ‘fake’; your new restoration can blend naturally with your smile. Because of the ability to customize the shape of teeth and closely match tooth shades, dental crowns and composite fillings are also used in cosmetic dentistry to brighten and enhance smile appearance.

Cosmetic dentistry services like teeth whitening and veneers may be used to complete your smile for a beautiful ‘before and after’. Learn more about cosmetic dentistry.

Root Canal Therapy in Alabaster-Birmingham

When the nerve of a tooth becomes infected as a result of dental disease or trauma, Dr. Zanthos may recommend treatment with root canal therapy to save the tooth.

During a root canal procedure, an opening is made in the crown of the tooth to provide access for the dentist to remove the infected nerve and tissues. The internal tooth pulp chamber and roots (or canals) are disinfected and sealed to preserve the hard tooth structure and prevent re-infection.

Without a nerve or blood supply system, the treated tooth requires additional protection; after the root canal is complete, Dr. Zanthos will restore the tooth with a dental crown.

Root Canals can be comfortable. Contrary to the way most people think about root canals, they can actually be an experience similar to having a routine dental filling. The key is to complete root canal therapy before pain or serious infection occurs. Dental infection can be a very serious health concern, if you currently have tooth pain or have been told that you require a root canal, it is best not to delay treatment.

Dr. Zanthos may recommend that a root canal specialist, or endodontist, perform a root canal procedure. He will work closely with the endodontist to coordinate placement of a dental crown following root canal treatment.

Replacement of Missing Teeth

Much like repairing a tooth that has become decayed, when a functional tooth is lost, it has a negative impact on the bite, jawbone and remaining teeth.

As our teeth come together as we bite, pressure is placed on the teeth, supportive tissues and jawbone. Our teeth and jawbone are built to sustain normal biting pressure, in fact, it helps to stimulate blood flow and cell growth.

When a tooth is missing, bite pressure continues, however, with the extra space left by the missing tooth, this ‘wiggle-room’ can cause the remaining teeth in the area to move. Teeth will shift into the open space, or a tooth in the opposite arch (upper or lower) will over-erupt (or super-erupt) into the opposing space. Misaligned or over-erupted teeth will cause the teeth to collide rather than fit together snugly as with a normal bite. A poorly aligned bite can lead to tooth fracture, or even further tooth loss.

Whenever possible, Alabaster restorative dentist Dr. Joseph Zanthos recommends replacement of missing teeth with a prosthetic dental appliance like a dental implant, bridge or removable partial or complete denture.

Dental Implant Restorations

A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that is placed into the jawbone by an oral surgeon or periodontist in the location of a missing tooth.

After the soft tissue and bone have healed around the implant, Dr. Zanthos will use the implant as a foundation for a crown or bridge to replace one or more missing teeth.

Procedures known as ‘all on four’ or ‘all on six’ describes how multiple dental implants may be used to secure a removable partial or complete denture. Learn more about dental implants.

single dental implant and crown

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic replacement for missing teeth. The bridge uses adjacent teeth or dental implants to support a ‘false’ tooth which fills the space left by tooth loss. A bridge can replace a single tooth or multiple missing teeth.

Dr. Zanthos creates your dental bridge by preparing the support teeth for the bridge and scanning the area with a digital impression system. After using design software to specify the details of your bite, he may fabricate your dental bridge from ceramic materials with CEREC® milling technology at our Alabaster dental office, or, he may elect to send your bridge design to one of our dental laboratory providers for production.

After your bridge is complete, Dr. Zanthos will attach it to the existing support teeth or dental implant(s) using special adhesives. Once in place, your bridge looks like your natural teeth.

Partial & Complete Dentures in Alabaster

If you are missing multiple teeth, Alabaster dentist Dr. Zanthos may recommend restoring your smile with a removable partial or complete denture.

Removable Partial Dentures
A removable partial denture typically has clasps that rest on natural teeth to secure a rigid metal platform or flexible acrylic base mounted with ‘false’ teeth to take the place of missing teeth.

Complete Dentures
Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in an arch. They are made of solid acrylic plastic to resemble natural gum tissue and teeth. In some cases, porcelain or metal materials may be used in a complete denture.

Implant-Supported Dentures
If your dentures are uncomfortable or loose and denture adhesive is a nuisance, an implant-supported denture may be a great option for you. Learn more about implant dentures.

Removable dentures can be designed to closely resemble natural teeth. Dr. Zanthos will consult with you and communicate instructions regarding tooth and gum shades along with digital impressions of your bite to our dental laboratory to create a denture that fits well and looks natural.

Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Sedation

Our dental treatment areas are equipped with nitrous oxide inhalation sedation (laughing gas) for a mild and temporary relaxation effect during treatment. Nitrous oxide sedation is safe for use for children and adults; it is breathed through a nose mask during treatment and wears off shortly after the mask is removed.

Dr. Zanthos may recommend nitrous oxide inhalation sedation as an option if you or your child require fillings, restorative treatment or extractions. If you or your child experience anxiety during dental treatment, please let us know.

Your Local Alabaster Dentist

Are you ready to schedule a consultation with our restorative and general dentist, Dr. Joseph Zanthos? Please contact Premier Family Dentistry of Alabaster and let us help you navigate your dental health needs.

It would be our pleasure to care for you and your family. We hope to see you soon!

Patient Review

‘Going to the dentist’ seems to be something that most people do with some degree of apprehension if not fear. However, the personal friendliness and personal care given soon greatly reduces or removes any negative feelings and thoughts about seeing a dentist. The genuine desire to provide each patient with personal care and to meet the specific need requiring a visit is greatly appreciated. It makes it easy to leave the office with a smile.

— Robin E.