Schiffet al (2009) in the American Journal of Dentistry looked at combining 8% arginine and calcium carbonate to relieve tooth sensitivity.  The goal of any of these types of products is to relive sensitivity after one application. Our Highlands Ranch Dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp have a  number of patients that exhibit dentin sensitivity (including the doctors).

Report of Clinical Evaluation of Arginine and Calcium Carbonate in Tooth Sensitivity

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity in Highlands Ranch

There are many causes of tooth sensitivity seen by our dentists in Highlands Ranch. Some of these teeth sensitivities need to be addressed immediately like a cavity (decay) or a broken or fractured tooth. Others are more subtle like root sensitivity around your tooth.  Root sensitivity occurs as your gums recede and part of the root is exposed.  This erosion can be due to periodontal disease of a a result of clenching and grinding.  Either way… this should be treated by our Highlands Ranch dentist.

What this study found

This study found that the argininge and calcium carbonate helped block the dentinal tubules which are in part responsible for tooth sensitivity. it  was postulated that this material mimics the chemical reactivity of salivat hat is used by the body to naturally deal with this problem.

Make an appointment in our Highland Ranch dental office today

Please feel free to make an appointment today especially if you have some type of tooth sensitivity.  Hopefully this is something as simple as root sensitivity and nothing as complex as decay or a fractured tooth.  They can be reached by call this number (303) 694-9740

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

Highlands Ranch Delta Dental Premiere Plan

Our Highlands Ranch dental office participates in only one dental PPO plan offered by major dental insurance providers. Delta Dental of Colorado offers other discount plans and our office “does not” participate in these plans. Many of these other dental insurance products allow to still choose which dentist you wish to see and only a very few will provide no coverage. Feel free to contact our office and your benefits officer to see if your plan qualifies.

to view our dental practice video click the following link Dentistry in Highlands Ranch

Use it or loose your insurance benefits for 2009

Most (but not all) dental plan benefit  year is a “calender year” as opposed to a “fiscal year”. What this means is most of the dental plans benefits end December 31 2009 and new maximum benefits come into play January 1, 2010.  The good news is in a short period of time you can get two years of benefit in a couple of months.

Prevention is the best medicine

Our Highlands Ranch dentists believe that preventive medicine and dentistry has the greatest long term benefit for you and your family. Catching a cavity early allow us to preserve more of your tooth structure when placing a dental filling.  As a general rule… smaller filling have a longer service life that do large dental fillings. Gum or Periodontal disease in considered a chronic condition and if left untreated can lead to tooth/teeth loss.  Most our our dental patients in Highlands Ranch who loose their teeth the main cause is periodontal disease. Professional dental cleanings (root plaining etc.) are effective in controlling this disease.  There are a few patients despite our best efforts loose their teeth.  Some of the factors that affect this includes smoking.

Call our Highlands Ranch dental office for an appointment

Please feel free to contact our office and make an appointment today.  Our office number is (303) 694-9740.

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

There are many causes of sensitive teeth and this Blog article describes “one” of many different causes.  Of course the first thing that comes to mind is a cavity but there are many other causes of tooth sensitivity. Highlands Ranch dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide general and cosmetic dental services to their patients in the Denver, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Ken Caryl, Greenwood Village, Parker, and Centennial Colorado.

 to view our dental practice video click the following link

Highlands Ranch dental practice video

Abfractions or root sensitivity

One of the causes of tooth sensitivity are those small “notches” that can occur on the root surface of your teeth just above the gum line. There is some debate as to the cause of these notches and in reality they may caused by of combination of factors.  One of the leading theories of these notches are due to clenching and grinding.  If this is the case… these defects are termed “abfractions”.  Other mitigating factors include but are not limited to tooth brush abrasion and chemical erosion to name a few.

Cold weather and tooth sensitivity

As the weather  get colder there in an increase in reporting of teeth sensitivity and abfraction “could” be one of the many causes.  Any time you have tooth sensitivity it is recommended to make an appointment with our Highlands Ranch dentist to see what it is.  If the ‘tentative” diagnosis is abfrations the first course of treatment would be to address the occlusal problems that may be the root cause of the sensitivity.  The second issue would be to treat the sensitivity.

Treating Root Sensitivity

There are many options our Highlands Ranch dentist can consider when trying to treat root sensitivity.  The first and most direct is a tooth desensitizing material like Sensodyne or similar tooth paste. Using some type of fluoride treatment can also be uses.  Other… more concentrated desensitizing material may be applied to your tooth in the dental office.  In other case a dental filling may be needed.  These abfractions can become so significant that in a “few” cases significant dental treatment may be necessary (root canal to extraction).

Call for an appointment today

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

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

Treating Clenching and Grinding

Clenching and grinding of your teeth is a common finding of our Highlands Ranch dental patients. Virtually every patient does it in their sleep.  The questions our Highlands Ranch dentists have are:

• How “often” do you clench and grind your teeth… monthly or hourly?
• How much “force” do you apply when you clench and grind your teeth… a little or a lot?
• Do your grind your teeth for hours at a time or for just seconds?
• Are you “still” clenching and grinding  your teeth or… have you “stopped” and the damage our Highlands Ranch dentist see is from years past?
• Do you have teeth with large fillings or crowns or do you have teeth with no fillings?
• Do you have notches on your teeth at the gum line (abfractions)
• Do you have “other” complicating factors that :may” come  into play?
• Other?

Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp are Highlands Ranch Family and Cosmetic dentists who provide a variety of dental services. Many of their patients come from the Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Centennial, Greenwood Village Parker, Ken Caryl, and Castle Rock areas of Colorado.

Treatment of Clenching and Grinding

Treatment of clenching and grinding may involve simple to very complex types of treatment depending upon the severity of dental problems. A vast majority of our Highlands Ranch dental patients need simple treatment like an occlusal guard.  Other patients treatment may involve bite changing, orthodontics, dental crowns to a full mouth rehabilitation. It should be noted that a “few” patient the symptoms and problems persist despite all of our best efforts. Even “rarer” but possible… “some patients” symptoms worsen.  The good news is this is a distinct minority.

Please Call our Highlands Ranch Dentists today

P;lease feel free to call our office and schedule an appointment today.  Dr’s DeLapp can be reached at (303) 694-9740.

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

Teeth whitening (bleaching) one-year follow up

At home teeth bleaching supervised by our Highlands Ranch dentists has been show to be and effective method to whiten discolored teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) has guidelines that ensure the benefits… effectiveness… and safety of the bleaching solution.  The teeth bleaching solution is carbamide peroxide that is placed in a custom fit retainer and applied to the teeth.  There are other method used to bleach teeth and include:

• Teeth whitening strips
• Whitening gels
• Whitening rinses,
• Chewing gum that has whitening solutions on them
• Teeth whitening toothpastes
• Paint on teeth whitening materials

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

Dental Research on Tooth Whitening

In the September 2009 Journal of the American Dental Association a scientific refereed article discussed research on how effective dentist supervised teeth whitening was one year out. The study compared different concentrations of carbamide peroxide of 10% and 16%. What this study showed is at one year post whitening both groups had the “same” tooth shade. In addition this study showed that the teeth were whiter than where it started from ie.e. for the baseline color.

Teeth whitening is effective and long lasting

Teeth whitening is effective and long lasting.  Depending on your consumption of staining beverages and foods depends on how long it takes to darken your teeth again. Our Highlands Ranch dentist have found that whitening touch up for some patients is needed.

Call today

Please contact our office today for an appointment to discuss teeth bleaching or whitening at (303) 694-9740. There are many way to accomplish this and lets find the method that is most effective to you. Dr’s James and Candace DeLapp also serve patient from the Denver, Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Parker, and Ken Caryl areas of Colorado.

Thanks to

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

Dentist Highlands Ranch Dental Implants

Our Highlands Ranch dentist Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide dental implant services to patients in the Highlands Ranch area of Colorado. They have produced a Highlands Ranch dental care library that has a variety of topics.  One of the major categories is a section on Dental Implants. A brief review of the content of the dental care library follows.

Virtual Dental Implants Highlands Ranch dentist

Highlands Ranch virtual dental implants describes how we can examine the bone by the use of CAD/ Cam radiology. Our Highlands Ranch dentist are able to examine in great detail the bone structure underneath your gums.  The computer program allow them to place an implant analog in adequate bone and the right angle. This has allowed much more predictable outcomes.

What are Dental Implants Dentist Highlands Ranch

The article Highlands Ranch dentist What are dental implants is a much longer and very complete  posting about dental implants. This posting includes the cost of dental implants and discusses basic information on how many appointment are needed to place dental implants.

Dentist Highlands Ranch Cost of dental implants

Cost of dental implants in Highlands Ranch and Denver is an article that looks at the approximate costs of dental implants in the Denver Metro area (circa 2009-2010). A single tooth implant runs “around” $4,500.00.  This cost includes the cost of the dental implant (the root) and the dental crown that is placed on top of this root. Elements that can increase this cost is the need for bone grafting. This cost can vary tremendously depending upon its location.

Bone Grafting of Implants Dentist Highlands Ranch

Bone grafting for dental implants in Highlands Ranch is an article about the potential need for bone grafts when placing dental implants. Dental implants are placed into the bone and on occasion bone is deficient in certain areas of the jaw.  One of the many areas this is seen in is on the maxillary premolar area where the maxillary sinus is located. The height and width of the bone is another element that needs to be maximized in order to place a dental implant.  If the one is too narrow the implant may fail.

Alternatives to Dental implants Dentist Highlands Ranch

Alternatives to dental implants in Highlands Ranch includes how we can approach replacing a missing tooth. One alternative is obviously to do nothing. Another might be some type of dental fixed bridge or removable partial denture. Knowing your alternatives is half the battle.

Risks of dental implants Dentist Highlands Ranch

Risks of dental implants in Highlands Ranch includes anything you can associate with any type of surgery. Common risk are discomfort or bleeding with dental implants which is an expected situation. Dental implant on occasion do not osseointegrate or fuse to the bone. The upper jaw has greater failure rate than does the lower.  There are nerves that “can” be cut during the procedure (lower jaw) and produce numbness.  While uncommon you should be aware of the risk and accept these prior to proceeding.

Call our Highlands Ranch dentist today

Please feel free to contact our Highlands Ranch dentist today and make an appointment at (303) 694-9740 Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our Website and Blogs.  They can be found by clicking on the following link Denver SEO

Gum disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis

In a study at the Congress of European League Against Rhematism in Denmark found a high correlation between Rheumatoid Arthritis and gum disease.  Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree dentist Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp are seeing more and more literature in the scientific journals on the relationship between systemic disease and dental disease. Dental disease especially gum disease is a chronic disease and may stress the bodies defenses and make fighting these more difficult.

to view our Lone Tree and HIghlands Ranch dentist dental practice video click the following link

Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch dentist

Chronic disease Connection Highlands Ranch dentist

The chronic disease connection in this study of 25 individuals showed 56% of patients suffering from rheumatiod arthritis also had chronic inflammatory periodontal of gum disease.  What our Highlands Ranch dentistfound interesting is that 80% of patient receiving anti TNF therapy to help with their rheumatoid arthritis saw significant improvement in their periodontal disease.

Call our HIghlands Ranch and Lone Tree Colorado dentist today

Please feel free to contact our Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree dentists today for an appointment.  They can be reached at (303) 694-9740. If you prefer to send them an e-mail please click the following link Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch dentist

Nasal spray with Xylitol

A. Jones (2001)  describes the use of xylitol in nasal sprays. Our Highlands Ranch dentist most often think of xylitol in chewing gum.  The xylitol is a non-sugar source and reduces the risk of dental decay.Highlands Ranch dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H.Candace DeLapp provide general and cosmetic dental services to their patients in the Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Parker and Denver Metro area.

How does xylitol work? Dentist Highlands Ranch

Xylitol reduces the gross number of bacteria by interfering with the energy and acid production. This makes the bacteria slippery and it cannot stick to other bacterial or tissue. Xylitol in chewing gum was able to effect a 40% reduction in ear infections. The thought  was if xylitol is this effective in chewing gum… how effective could it be when used in a nasal spray.

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

Dentist Highlands Ranch

Maxillary sinus pain can be confused with tooth pain Dentist Highlands Ranch

Why xylitol is interesting to our Highlands Ranch dentist is dental pain can be confused with sinus pain and vice versa. A healthy sinus can help us focus more on a dental cause of pain. Physiologic washing or nasal rinses are one of the simple things you can do for  your overall health.

to view more information on a variety of dental topics please feel to view our dental care library.  I can be accessed by clicking on the following link Dentist Highlands Ranch

Call and make an appointment today

Please feel free to call and make an appointment today at (303) 694-9740.  If  your prefer to send us an e-mail please click the following link contact Highlands Ranch dentist

Thanks to

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

Snap-on-smile Dentist Highlands Ranch

Snap on smiles is a proprietary product that “may” be able to give you a temporary new smile. Our Highlands Ranch dentist take a dental impression of your mouth and a dental laboratory fabricates a flexible overlay of your teeth. This type of temporary dental appliance “may” or “may not” work for you. You should make an appointment to see if you are a candidate for this appliance.

Snap-on smile is not indestructible Dentist Highlands Ranch

Snap on smile are relatively brittle and great care needs to be taken with them.  Patients who have jaw problems (clicking and popping and/or pain) are not candidates for this appliance.  Clenching and grinding could fracture the appliance so extreme care is needed.

Snap on teeth are party teeth

Our Highlands Ranch dentist like to describe the Snap on smiles as party teeth.  They are for looks and not much else.  While the manufacture states that you can eat with this appliance it certainly not as durable and dental crowns bridges or dental implants.  Care in needed when eating etc.

Costs of Snap on smile Dentist Highlands Ranch

Cost of snap on smiles is considerable.  Circa (2009) cost is around $2500 per dental arch or $5000 for both arches.  This is a substantial investment and you should decide carefully before proceeding.

Snap on smiles may work for weddings, family reunions or class reunions

Snap on smiles may be an appliance that would work well for certain types of occasions.  Certainly wedding and class reunions would be situations. Our Highlands Ranch dentist just want to stress the limitations of this appliance before you have it fabricated.

Call today (303) 694-9740

Please feel free to contact our Highlands Ranch dentist for an appointment today.  If you wish just an initial discussion with the doctors feel free to ask for a complimentary “initial”consultation. We look forward to meeting you.

Dentist Highlands Ranch Sharks teeth in children

Our Highlands Ranch dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp get calls occasionally from concerned parents that their 6 year old child has “sharks teeth” or “rows of teeth.

This is NOT an unusual finding and in general is quite common.  Our Highlands Ranch dentist describes that the permanent or adult tooth is trying to erupt and is trying to find the easiest path to emerge from the gum.  This happens to be lingual ( to the inside) of the baby tooth.

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

Dentist Highlands Ranch

Treatment of Sharks teeth Dentist Highlands Ranch

Our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentist have found that in a vast majority of cases having the child “wiggle” their baby tooth out is all that is needed. On occasion… we need to get involved and extract the baby tooth.  Our recommendation is to first have your child try… if not … we can do later.

Please feel free to send us an e-mail or contact us by phone at (303) 694-9740 for an appointment

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