What causes one tooth to darken?

There can be several reasons why a single tooth could darken.  Denver and Highlands Ranch dentists Dr. James DeLapp an Dr. H. Candace DeLapp investigate the “most likely” reason why a tooth darkens and then apply appropriate treatment. Types of treatment could range from something as simple and teeth whitening to something as complex as a root canal. Our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentists treat patients from the Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Parker, Centennial, Englewood, Parker and the Denver Tech Center of Colorado.

Trauma to the tooth can cause discoloration

Trauma to the tooth may cause the pulp to degenerate and darker the tooth.  The trauma can cause hemolysis (micro bleeding of the tooth). When this occurs the Iron in hemoglobin reacts with tissue in the tooth (hydrogen sulfide) to form Iron sulfide.  The Iron Sulfide has a strong color that stains the tooth from inside out

Tooth discolored by age or trauma Denver Dentistry

Teeth can discolor due to trauma and age.  In the first instance the bleeding causes the discoloration and in this case the primary or secondary dentin (yellow color) propagates.  This dentin gives the tooth a yellow color. This process is called calcific metamophhosis.

Old silver filling on the back side of the tooth makes the tooth darker

Old silver/mercury fillings turn black with age.  This color give the tooth a gray color.  Replacing it with a white filling can significantly whiten the tooth. Cosmetic dentistry can give you many different options on how to handle dark teeth and tooth whitening is just one of your options.

Internal bleaching of a tooth

After a root canal in some instances the tooth may continue to darken with time.  A walking bleach “may” whiten the tooth from the inside out.  A bleaching solution is placed in the pulp chamber and the patient is dismissed for one week (hence the term walking).  Once the tooth is lightened a composite filling (white) is place

Free bleaching consult at our Highlands Ranch and Denver area Cosmetic Dental Office.

Please feel free to contact our office and ask for the free bleaching consultation at (303) 694-9740.

Thanks to Matt and Scott of US Web Central for their help with our Blogs and Websites They can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver web design and SEO.

Dr’s DeLapp attending the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry 26th Annual Scientific Session.

From April 27 – May 1st 2010 Denver and Highlands Ranch Dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp will be attending the 26 annual Session of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) in Grapevine Texas.  The AACD is the worlds largest international dental academy dedicated to the art and science of Cosmetic dentistry of which both doctors DeLapp are active members.

Information on Cosmetic dentistry expands each year.

Information in cosmetic dentistry is ever expanding and each year (month) something new is described or used.  At the Annual Session of the AACD the world’s premier dental educators gather to offer an depth training that proves information necessary to stay up to date in cosmetic dentistry. Ultimately… it is this commitment  that allows the Doctors DeLapp to provide the best care to their Highlands Ranch and Denver area dental patients.

AACD Combining both lecture and hands on course work

While attending the AACD the Dr’s DeLapp will attend both lecture and hands on course work.  The lectures consist of  world renowned speakers discussing  diagnosis and performance of cosmetic dentistry. The hands on course work occurs in small groups in which procedures are actually performed and evaluated by course directors and other participants. These small group hands-on course work is critical for our Denver area dentist to maintain their artistic skills..  Some of the course work the doctors will be taking include:

• Creating conservative composite restorations
• Composite artistry workshop
• The Epitome of Composite art
• Mastering composite artistry
• In office model preparation for cosmetic smile enhancement
• Artistry of dental veneers

Call our Denver and Highlands Ranch dental office today for an appointment

Please feel free to call our Highlands Ranch dental office and make an appointment today at (303) 694-9740. Obviously our office will be closed during the last week in April so feel free to leave a message.  If you prefer to send us an e-mail please click the following link e-mail Highlands Ranch dentists

Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our websites and Blogs.  The can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver Web Design and SEO.

Dentistry above the gum line (Supragingival Dentistry)

With the advent of new dental materials our Denver and Highlands Ranch dentists are able to place tooth filling margins above the gums.  In the past … most of the materials dentists worked with were cemented rather than bonded to the tooth.  Cementing a dental restoration requires more tooth surface area. Denver Dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide family and cosmetic dental services for patients in the Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, Parker, Centennial, Greenwood Village and Denver Tech Center areas of Colorado.

Esthetic advantages of all ceramic (tooth colored) materials

Our Highlands Ranch and Denver area dentists use all ceramic materials expecially in the front part of the mouth.  On occasion  they may choose to use ceramic material on first molars is esthetics dictates. Circa (2010) their office tends to use more traditional metal based material on the second molars (the very back tooth for many patients).

Why traditional metal restorations are usefull for back teeth

One of the elements that is difficult to predict with certainity is how much force the patient exerts on their back teeth. For many it is readily apparent and for other it is less apparent.  For these patients we have found that a traditional PFM  or full metal dental crown “may” work best.

Bonded restorations leave more of your tooth left

In order to do a traditional crown more tooth structure is removed when compared to a bonded inlay or onlay.  In this manner we are able to “tooth bank” this virgin tooth structure that may be needed to a traditional dental crown at a later date.

Call our Denver and Highlands Ranch dentists for an appointment today

Please feel free to call our office for an appointment today at (303) 694-9740. If you would like to send us an e-mail click the following link e-mail Denver and Highlands Ranch dentists

Thanks to Matt and Scott of

Denverfor their help with our websites and Blogs.  They can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver web design and SEO.

Dental Implant Maintenance

Dental implants are not “fix it and forget it”.  Like a care of  ”real teeth” dental implants require periodic  maintenance and repair. This maintenance can range from something as simple as a dental implantprophy (cleaning) to replacement of the implant.  Denver Implant dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide general and implant dentistry to patients living in the Highlands Ranch, Ken Caryl, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Greenwood Village, Centennial and Parker areas of Colorado. Please feel free to contact them for an appointment at (303) 694-9740.

Types of dental implant Maintenance or Repair

Some of the maintenance of dental implants involve simple elements while others are literally a “do over”.  While the replacement of dental implants is not common it is possible.  There are many different types of dental implants and Nobel Biocare is one of the systems utilized in their office. Some of the maintenance or repair issuse include but are not limited to:

• Cleaning and maintaining your dental implant by the hygienist or dentist
• Tightening the “abutment screw”
• Replacing the abutment screw
• Replacing the crown on top of the abutment
• Replacing the locator rings on an overdenture
• Drilling thru a dental crown to replace or tighten an abutment screw
• Replacing an abutment
• Replacing the crown where retrieval was attempted
• Bone and /or gum grafting around a dental implant
• other

The above list is not meant to draw unwarranted worry about you dental implant.  It is merely meant to advise you of the possibilities so you are better informed should one of the above become necessary. Failure of the dental implant in our Denver Dentists office has been a very rare occurrence as an example.

Call our Denver Dental Implant Office today

Please feel free to call our office and make an appointment today at (303) 694-9740.

Thanks to Matt and Scott of US Web Central for their help with our Blogs.  The can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver Web Design and SEO.

Exercise appears to protect White Blood Cells

German researchers are in the process of publishing a paper in the journal Circulation that endurance athletes appear to be able to live a longer healthier life than healthy non smoking adults who did not exercise regularly. This fact may be due to the enhancement of white blood cells which have elongated telomers.  When telomeres get t9o short they stop dividing and you begin to show signs of aging. Dr. James and Candace DeLapp are Highlands Ranch and Denver dentists who also serve patients in the Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Parker, Aurora, Centennial, Ken Caryl and Greenwood Village areas of Colorado.

to view our dental practice video click the f0llowing link Highlands Ranch and Denver Dentists

The role of white blood cells

The role of white blood cells role was primarily thought to be to fight off infections but more recent studies have shown that white blood cells can also seek out abnormal cells growth associated with cancers. One speculation is why we become more susceptible to cancers as we age “may” be that the white blood cells themselves age and become less effective in removing cancerous cells.

New advances also state that a healthy mouth improves overall health Denver Dentistry

Numerous studies have shown that periodontal disease adversely affects your overall health.  A chronic infection decreases you bodies over all ability to fight aging and effects your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Call our Denver Dentists today

Please feel free to call out Denver and Highlands Ranch dentist today and schedule an appointment.  They can be reached at (303) 694-9740.

Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our Blogs.  They can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver Web Design and SEO.

Composite dental filling as an alternative to gum surgery

A Dental materials company VOCO has produced an dental filling material that can be placed on root surfaces of teeth that is pink in color.  Highlands Ranch dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp see a potential use in situations where gingival recession or abfractions have exposed the root surface.   Placing a typical “white dental filling” makes the tooth look very long. Their office served the Denver, Lone Tree, Castle Rock, Castle Pines,Parker, Centennial, Greenwood Village and Highlands Ranch areas of Colorado.

to view our dental practice video click the following link Dentist Highlands Ranch Colorado

Alternative to the long tooth look

Being “long in tooth“  is a term used years ago to describe someone who was older.  The long tooth seen was from gingival recession and was frequently seen in older individuals. There are certain situations where some type of gum surgery may “mitigate” this look of being long in tooth. Adding gum back to a receded  area has not been perfected.

Prevention of the long tooth may be the key

While treating the long tooth with either a pink filling material or gum surgery… the key may be in prevention. Two of several causes of the long tooth relate to gum disease and occlusal disease or abfraction.  Early detection and treatment of gum disease is the best medicine.  Occlusal guards and orthodontics “may” help with the occlusal disease.

Please feel free to call our Highlands Ranch and Denver Dentist today

You can schedule an appointment by calling (303) 694-9740

Thanks to Matt and Scott of US Web Central for their help with our Blogs.  They can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver Web Design and SEO.

Crown lengthening

A recent article in the ADA News discusses the thinking process dentist should go through when determining whether to do crown lengthening. Highlands Ranch dentists Dr. James DeLapp and H. Candace DeLapp look for cases where crown lengthening would be appropriate. In a review of the lecture and article of  Dr. Suzuki an Associate Dean at Temple University School of Dentistry stressed the importance of a review of the patients medical history and what is seen clinically.

to view our dental practice video click the following link

Dentistry in Highlands Ranch

Medical history of our Highlands Ranch Dental Patients

A review of your pertinent medical history is important before any crown lengthening is undertaken.  The procedure is a gum surgery in which more of the tooth root is exposed by removing a “little” of the bone around it. Medical history elements to consider include but are not limited to:

• History of smoking
• Drug or alcohol use
• Blood pressure
• Liver health
• Lung health
• Diabetes
• arthritis
• Other

(more…)

Parkinson’s Disease and Dentistry Dentist Highlands Ranch

Parkinson’s disease is a common disorder that afflicts many individuals world wide. Our Highlands Ranch Dentists have many patients who have some form of this illness.  For many it is a subtle illness and for other it is exceedingly debilitating. Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp also see patients from the Denver area.

to view our Highlands Ranch and Denver area dentist dental practice video click the following link

Dentist Highlands Ranch

Motor function and Parkinson’s Disease Dentist Highlands Ranch

The physical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease makes daily home care difficult for many. Eye-hand coordination and tongue and cheek control are several of the elements that make effective home care difficult.  Poor or compromised motor function affects approximately half of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

(more…)

Gum disease and Heart disease Dentist Highlands Ranch

Highlands Ranch dentist Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp know the importance of healthy gums to your overall health An article in the Journal of Periodontology (2009) discusses how gum treatment can reduce the “C-reactive protein (CRP)” , “IL-6″ and fibrinogen (clotting factor). The article by Figueredo et al discuss how gum therapy reduced the levels of of the aforementioned. The net result from this decrease “may” be a decrease risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease leading killer of men an women in the US Dentist Highlands Ranch

In these studies a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys bone and sum tissue affects a majority of citizens.  As a result of this and other studies,Cardiologists are evaluating the patients mouth and gum tissue as another adjunct to treatment.  At this time is is thought that periodontal disease has an increased risk for cardiovascular disease due to the overall inflammatory response.

to view our Highlands Ranch dentist dental practice video click the following link Dentist Highlands Ranch

Health gums… healthy heart Dentist Highlands Ranch

In reality there can be no downside to having health gums and teeth.  The interest in a possible link between gum disease and should emphasis how your oral health can affect  your overall health

Call today

Please call today our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentist and make an appointment.  We can be reached at (303) 694-9740

Thanks to

Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our web sites and Blogs.  The can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver SEO

Dental Veneers post orthodontics Highlands Ranch and Denver Dentist

Denver dentist Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide cosmetic dental services to patient in the Denver Metro area. The case described in an “in progress” case in which two stages need to be accomplished.  The first stage was orthodontics to get the teeth in an area in which dental veneers or dental bonding can be accomplished. Stage one has been accomplished… we are waiting for stage two!

Please note… not bonding or veneers have been placed.  What would you do to finish this case?

Cosmetic dentistry Denver and Highlands Ranch

The options for this dental patient initially  included but was not limited to:

• No treatment
• Teeth whitening only (Luma) or whitening trays
• Frenum tissue release (tissue between the front two teeth)
• Orthodontics with our without whitening
• Orthodontics with whitening and bonded fillings
• Orthodontic and dental veneers

Cosmetic dentistry best or most predictable plan

Our Highlands Ranch dentist recommended frenum release (surgery) orthodontics, whitening and dental veneers for the most predictable outcome.  The recommendation for the dental veneers may or may not be in the patients budget at this time. Working with patients financial limitations is our goal. We may do something temporary and later finish the case with dental veneers at a later date. Certainly our goal is to provide our patient with information in which to make an informed decision.

Call our Highlands Ranch dentist today

Please feel free to call our Highlands Ranch dentist today for an appointment at (303) 694-9740. We have additional dental care information located on a companion website.  This dental care information can be accessed by clicking on the following link Highlands Ranch dentist dental care library.

Thanks to

Scott and Matt at US Web Central. They can be accessed by clicking on the following link Denve SEO