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Denver Dentists Instructors at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

Highlands Ranch and Denver dentists, Dr. James DeLapp, Dr. H. Candace DeLapp and Dr. Sarah Parsonswill be teaching at the CU Dental School in the Fall of 2010.  Dr.’s DeLapp and Parsons are all graduates of the school in 1982, 1992 and 2010 respectively. Each of our Denver area dentists feels it important to be involved in the educational process for the rest of their lives. Life as well as their dental degree is a journey not a destination. Staying on the curring edge is a continuing process.

Dr. Sarah Parsons will be teaching in the pre-clinical operative dentistry course.  As a Junior dental student Dr. Parsons helped out in this course that teaches Sophomore dental students how to restore teeth with amalgam or composite fillings.  Dr. H. Candace DeLapp will join Dr. Parsons in this course that she has been assisting with for nearly a decade. In addition, Dr. Candace DeLapp will be teaching Removable Prostodontics (dentures and partial dentures) at the dental school.  Dr. James DeLapp will be teaching fixed prostodontics (dental crowns and bridges) as well as covering clinic in the treatment of patients by Juniors and Seniors.

Denver Sedation Dentists

Denver Sedation Dentistry is available at our office.  Minimal dental sedation allows many patients who have difficulty with dental procedures some relief from the anxiety of a dental appointment. For many (but not all) anxious dental patients an oral pre-medication allows them to get through the dental visit.  For other a more complex sedation regimines are  needed. Dental anxiety can range from slight to severe and no one single sedation regimen works for everyone.  Please feel free to call and schedule a visit at our office to see if oral sedation “could” work for you.

In an unrelated issue, the doctors have followed Anthony Robbins for a period of time and have read some of his books and seen his program live. In a sense he is a life’s coach who coaches individuals to make great life decisions.  NBC has put some programming together and can be found by clicking on the following link Tony Robbins.

Call our Highlands Ranch and Denver area Dental office today!

Please call our office today for an appointment at (303) 694-9740

White dental fillings in the Denver metro Area

Amalgam (mercury plus silver etc.) dental restorations had (past tense) been a stable of dental restorations for decades.  Denver dentists Dr. James DeLapp, Dr. Sarah Parsons and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp believe it to be an adequate material in many cases.  Some of the disadvantages include its color and not being bonded to the tooth.  The silver in the amalgam in time “can” turn black and it looks like you have holes in your tooth.  Many patients object to this display of silver or black and wish a more modern material

Your “natural” tooth is the best material

Our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentists feel preservation of as much “natural” tooth structure is the best policy.  Any and we mean any dental material has a life-expectancy and this can be increased or decreased by how you take care of your teeth and the foods or drinks you ingest.  Obviously… smoking decreases the life expectancy of ANY dental restoration as well as contributing to increase in risk of gum disease.

Advantages of white dental fillings Highlands Ranch

The advantages of white dental fillings is you do not have remove a certain amount of tooth structure in order to get the filling  to be placed.  Amalgam restoration have certain widths and depths that need to be made otherwise the restoration will fracture. With white dental filling we can tooth bank or preserve more of your tooth structure.

Insurance companies downgrade the payment of white dental fillings to silver fillings

Dental insurance companies including Delta Dental of Colorado downgrade the reimbursement of white dental fillings to silver dental fillings.  Amalgam restorations are much faster to place and less expensive to offer. This means there WILL me more out of pocket expense to the insured.  In time this “may” change but for now count on the out of pocket expenses being greater.

Please call our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentists today

Please cal our office today and make an appointment.  We can be reached at (303) 694-9740

Two “reasons” for dental sedation

Highlands Ranch dentists, Dr James DeLapp, H. Candace DeLapp and Dr. Sarah Parsons have recently taken almost 250 combined hours of continuing dental education on sedation dentistry this year.  What is demonstrated time and again is dental sedation use can be broken down into two categories.

• Stress reduction protocols for a healthy patient with significant stress and…
• Stress reduction protocols for patients with some type of medical risk

Why dental sedation for Medical risk in Highlands Ranch

Everyone understands using dental sedation for high anxiety but what constitutes “medical risk”? Everyone thinks about significant medical risk but the need for dental sedation for a dental appointment is appropriate for high blood pressure. Stress from a dental appointment can exacerbate mild medical problems.  While medical emergencies in the dental office are unlikely… they do occur on rare occasions.  every attempt to mitigate the risk is appropriate.

Review of your medical history

Review of medical history is appropriate.  Sometimes delaying treatment until uncontrolled high blood pressure is the best dental treatment we can deliver (or not deliver).Taking your blood pressure and oxygen saturation give our Highlands Ranch dentist and idea of your medical status.  If your blood pressure is high is might be appropriate for you to have some nitrous oxide and oxygen with your dental procedure.

Call our Highlands Ranch office today

Please call our office today for an appointment at (303) 694-9740

Inflammation and Gum disease

Some of the new concepts being investigated in  gum diseaseis the effect of environmental factors have on genetic activation.  This process is termed epigenetics.  What has been found is nutritional factors can have significant effects on how the gene is is expressed.  What is most interesting to dentists (and patients indirectly) is that epigenetics may be a key factor in inflammatory diseases of which periodontal disease is one. Denver dentists Dr’s James DeLapp,, Dr. H. Candace DeLapp and Dr. Sarah Parsons provide general and cosmetic dental services for patients in the Denver Metro area including  Lone Tree and Castle Pines.

Bacterial toxins in gum disease

What we know is  bacterial toxins cause inflammation and are the prime cause of destruction of gum tissue in periodontal disease. This inflammation cause a change in the types of bacteria that populate your mouth.  Some of these new bacteria can be responsible fo the destruction of gum and bone tissue in perodontal disease.  The key is … decreasing inflammation can decrease gum disease.

Constant maintenance in gum disease

One of the hallmarks of gum disease is its chronic nature.  Constant  vigilance is need and for some patients 2-3 month cleaning schedules with our with out antibiotic therapy is needed. Periodontal pocket measure, mobility and bleeding on probing of flossing are the indicators of infection.

Call our Highlands Ranch and Denver Dentists today

Please feel free to call our Denver dental office today and make an appointment.  They can b reached at (303) 694-9740

Sedation dentistry in Highlands Ranch and Denver

Denver Sedation Dentists Dr. James DeLapp, Dr. H. Candace DeLapp andDr. Sarah Parsions have been attending Moderate Sedation Courses at the University of Southern California (USC) dental school.  The course director is Dr. Stanley Malamed who has written the definitive textbooks on Sedation in dentistry.  Dr. James DeLapp had offered I.V. sedation for a decade in the 80’s and has offered Nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation and anxiolysis since in practice. If dentistry is not the most thrilling prospect for you… please call our Denver sedation dentists and make an appointment to see is sedation dentistry is for you. Their number is (303) 694-9740. Our address is 6660 timberloine Road Highlands Ranch Colorado 80130.

Types of Dental Sedation Possible

There are several types of dental sedation that are available to dental patients in Highlands Ranch area of Colorado.  Some are simple and others are complex.  As the complexity increases the cost and level of training increases. Something as simple as distraction with over the chair televisions or headphones are the simplest. Other types of sedation include but is not limited to:

• Nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation.  This sedation has several advantages including is its simplicity and ease of administration.  Nitrous oxide sedation is commonly termed “laughing gas” and works on about  70% of the dental population.  For the remaining 30% other forms of sedation may be available.
• Anxiolysis with oral medicine.  This involves a pill patients take approximately one hour prior to the appointment.  By definition it really does not sedate you… it just makes you less anxious about your appointment.  Typically this may involve a table of Valium.  You MUST have a driver to and from your appointment
• Minimal Sedation.  Minimal sedation is one step further in the continuum of sedation which by definition provide minimal level of sedation and work on “many” but not all dental patients.  The dosage of the medicine increases and Nitrous oxide/oxygen “may” be added to deepen the sedation to a minimal level.  Amnesic effect of the dental appointment occurs for some patients but definitely not all. You MUST have a driver and have nothing to eat for 6 hours prior to this type of sedation
• Moderate Sedation or Conscious Sedation.  Moderate sedation can occur through several routes of administration but typically administered through an I.V. Again this works on patients who have experienced minimal sedation which has proven to be ineffective. You MUST have a driver and not have anything to eat for 6 hours with this type of sedation
• Deep Sedation. Deep sedation is more profound sedation on the anesthetic continuum.  Very special training of either an anesthesia residency of two years of oral surgeons are allowed to provide this sedation.  Typically this sedation is provided by a nurse anesthetist.  You must have a driver and nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to this sedation
• General anesthesia. Typically provide by a medical doctor and nurse anesthetist in a out-patient clinic.  This is the anesthesia in which you could work on teeth or take out your appendix. Again… you MUST have a driver and nithing to eat or drink for 6  hour prior to the procedured.

Call our Denver an Highlands Ranch dentists today

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

Highlands Ranch Dentists take Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Dr.James DeLapp, Dr. H. Candace DeLapp and Dr. Sarah Parsons took ACLS this past weekend. All of their Highlands Ranch dental staff have Basic Life Support (BLS) which deals with CPR and early fibrillation.  Advance Cardiac Life Support takes the the treatment of patients in cardiac stress to a more definitive treatment level. The course involves many elements not typically studies by dentists. This includes ECG (EKG) interpretation and the administration of drugs that can help patients,or anyone in the community who needs care.

Symptoms of Cardiac Problems

Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack is one of the most important things anyone can learn.  Symptoms can be mild and ignored and for some…. denial of the symptoms is an element.  The most typical symptom of cardiac problems is chest pain that radiates to the left arm and jaw. Understand that these are the most reported symptoms but pain can radiated to other areas.

Early Treatment a must

Our Highlands Ranch and Denver area dentists want our patients to get early evaluation.  Reperfusion treatment allows block arteries in the heart to get blood flowing back to the clogged area. The sooner the medical doctors can perform this therapy… the greater success long term success.

Please consider taking a CPR Course

Our opinion is to have EVERYONE take CPR course. The key to success is early CPR and defibrillation. As an example…Las Vegas Casinos have the greatest success in treating patients who have a heart attack. Those eyes in the sky and casino staff trained in CPR and early fibrillation make these areas an example for the rest of the country. Those interested should contact the Colorado CPR Association.

Call our Highlands Ranch dental office

Please feel free to call our office at (303) 694-9740 for an appointment today.  Mention that you choose our office from information you recieved from the Internet and you are eligible for free whitening.  Our Highlands Ranch dental office serves the Lone treee , Castle Pines, Centennial, Littleton, Denver and the Denver Tech areas  of Colorado. Our office is located at  6660 Timberline Road Highlands Ranch Colorado 80130

Dr. Parsons joins our Denver and Highlands Ranch Dental office

Dr. Sarah Parson joins Cottonwood Dental Office this week.  Dr. Parsons has been with our Highlands Ranch dental office is some fashion since she was born as she is the daughter of Dr. James and Candace DeLapp.  Dr. Parsons graduated from the University of of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in May of 2010. Dr. Parsons attended Colorado State University and graduated with a degree in Biological Science.  While at CSU Dr. Parsons was a scholarship athlete for the CSU Swim team.

Children’s Dentistry in Highlands Ranch and Denver Metro Area

Dr. Parson particularily enjoys treating  children. Along those lines Dr. Parsons coaches swimming as a hobby with ACES Swim team and has enjoyed working with children for years. Over the next few weeks we will be establishing Dr. Parson hours of operation

Call our Highlands Ranch Dentists Today

Please feel free to contact our Denver area dental office today and make an appointment at (303) 694-9740.  Let our team know that you found us off the Internet and new patients are eligible for free teeth whitening

Dr. H. Candace DeLapp elected to the MDDS Board of Directors

Denver dentist Dr. H. Candace DeLapp was elected to the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Denver Dental Society (MDDS) this past month.  Organized dentistry is a tripartite system consisting of the American Dental Association, the Colorado Dental Association and MDDS. This component society is the largest grouping of dentists in Colorado and is responsible for many functions of organized dentistry.

Yearly MDDS Mid-Winter Dental Convention

One of the many responsibilities of MDDS is the continuing education of dentists throughout  the state and the surrounding states. Keeping current of dental treatment options is the responsibilities of all dentists and their continuing education programs help fulfill this need. In addition MDDS provides several programs that help those who cannot afford dentistry and will be the topic of upcoming Blogs.

Call our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentists today

Please feel free to call our Denver dental office today for an appointment at your earliest convenience. Dr.’s DeLapp’s daughter Sarah Parsons will be graduating from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine this Friday May 28th and is planning on joining their Highlands Ranch Dental office once he license is issued from the State Board. For an appointment please call (303) 694-9740.

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

Dental continuing Education Highlands Ranch and Denver dentists

For the past week Highlands Ranch dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp have been taking a considerable amount of dental continuing education this past week and weekend.  To start with… both doctors took 16 hours of course work for minimal sedation for dental procedures. This course will hopefully allow our Highlands Ranch dentists to offer sedation with anti-anxiety medications (valium… halcion e.g) and combine this with nitrous oxide. This will provide another option for patients who find it difficult to tolerate dental procedures. After an application and approval with the State Board of Dental Examiners we hope to be able to offer this service.

Moderate Sedation Denver Dentistry

Dr. James DeLapp is taking courses at the University of Southern California (USC) for moderate dental  sedation.  This course is taught by Stanley Malamed DDS who is considered to be a world renowned dental educator.  He has authored several textbook on local anesthesia… dental emergencies… and sedation all  in with several yearly revisions.  Total course work at USC will involve over 70 course hours and  to date has been very informative.  The courses take so far has been

• Physical Evaluation
• Medical emergencies in the dental office
• Monitoring for sedation dentistry

Continuation of this course work will be in the second and third week of July 2010. Again all these course require the State Dental Board to approve the course work taken before any sedation regimens can be offered to our patients

Call our Highlands Ranch dentists today

Please feel free to call an make an appointment today at your earliest convenience.  They can be reached at (303) 694-9740.

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

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.