Saul Escala, DDS

General, Family, and Restorative Dentist in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Dr. Saul Escala, DDS, is an award-winning general and family dentist at Espire Dental Highlands Ranch, and he is welcoming new patients of all ages. He cares for patients from Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Littleton, and the surrounding South Denver communities.

Dr. Escala has nearly 20 years of experience practicing dentistry in the United States and holds two Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees. He owned a Denver dental practice for more than 15 years and has been named one of Denver's Top Dentists by 5280 Magazine in multiple years. Patients get the judgment of a seasoned clinician and a dentist who takes the time to know them personally.

Comprehensive Family, Restorative, and Emergency Dentistry

Dr. Escala provides preventive, restorative, children's, and emergency dental care for patients at every stage of life. Patients commonly see him for:

• Comprehensive dental exams and preventive cleanings
• Periodontal (gum) evaluations
• Dental fillings and evaluation of worn, damaged, or failing restorations
• Toothaches, dental infections, and other urgent dental concerns
• Dental care for children and teens
• Treatment planning for damaged or missing teeth

Dr. Escala has also worked in oral surgery and implantology settings. That background gives him a broad perspective when he evaluates damaged or missing teeth and helps patients weigh their options. Years of treating children and adults have shaped an approach that looks at your long-term oral health rather than one problem at a time.

Parents can bring the whole household to one dentist, and adults get a single point of contact who knows their history from one visit to the next.

Education and International Dental Training

Dr. Escala holds two Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degrees, one from Costa Rica and one from the United States.

• Doctor of Dental Surgery, University Veritas School of Dentistry, San José, Costa Rica (November 2002)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry (May 2007)

His early clinical training included an oral surgery preceptorship with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Hospital México in Costa Rica in 2001. From 2003 to 2005, he served as a surgical assistant at the Center for Oral & Reconstructive Surgery & Implantology in Aurora, Colorado.

In 2002, he also taught as a professor in the University Veritas Dental Assistant program, an early start to the patient education and clear communication that still define his care.

Dr. Escala has also completed extensive continuing education and mini-residency programs in dental implantology.

Training on two continents, along with hands-on surgical experience, gives Dr. Escala a broader foundation than most general dentists bring to the chair.

A Career Dedicated to Colorado Families

Dr. Escala has cared for patients across the Denver metro area since 2007.

After earning his U.S. dental degree, he began practicing at Universal Dental Clinic in Chicago before returning to Colorado, where he treated children and adults at All About Kids Dental Clinic in Lakewood and Kids Choice Dental Clinic in Aurora. In August 2009, he opened Escala Family Dentistry in Denver, which he owned and led for more than 15 years. He also owned Lakewood Smiles in Lakewood from 2013 to 2015. He later held clinical positions with Sonrava Health, PDS Health, and Emergency Dental of Denver.

Running his own practice taught Dr. Escala the value of accountability, continuity of care, and relationships that last. He now brings that same personal attention to every patient at Espire Dental Highlands Ranch.

Awards, Recognition, and Professional Affiliations

Dr. Escala has been recognized for excellence in dentistry, business leadership, and community service. His honors include:

• America's Top Dentists (multiple years since 2014)
• 5280 Magazine Denver's Top Dentists (multiple years since 2015)
• Top Doctor of America (2022)
• Denver Business Journal Forty Under 40 (2014)
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year

Dr. Escala is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Colorado Dental Association (CDA), Metropolitan Denver Dental Society (MDDS), and Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

Why Dentistry Matters to Dr. Escala

Dr. Escala's path into dentistry began with outreach. As a dental student in Costa Rica, he took part in programs that brought oral health care and education to communities with limited access to a dental office.

He carried that work to the United States, teaching community groups about the connection between oral health, diabetes, and overall wellness. Those experiences showed him that many dental problems are preventable when patients understand what is happening in their mouths and why it matters.

That belief still drives him today. He sees education as part of treatment, not an extra.

A Philosophy Built on Trust, Integrity, and Family

Patients know Dr. Escala for his experience, integrity, and easygoing personality, and for treating them like extended family.

When you see Dr. Escala, you can expect:

• Honest recommendations based on what your teeth actually need
• Clear explanations of your diagnosis and every treatment option
• Time to ask questions without feeling rushed
• A plan built around your health, goals, and comfort

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first appointment with Dr. Escala starts with a conversation about your dental history, any current concerns, and your goals for your smile. Your visit includes:

• A comprehensive dental examination
• Digital dental X-rays, as appropriate
• A periodontal (gum health) assessment
• An oral cancer screening
• Additional diagnostic imaging, when needed

Dr. Escala then walks you through what he found, explains your options, and answers your questions so you leave knowing exactly what comes next, whether that is routine care or a plan for a specific problem.

Ready to get started? [Book Online] or call Espire Dental Highlands Ranch at [Phone Number] to schedule your first visit with Dr. Escala.

Community Involvement

Dr. Escala's commitment to community health extends well beyond the dental chair. His volunteer work includes presentations on oral health and diabetes at the Provena Mercy Medical Center for Diabetic Wellness in Chicago (2006), dental education through Mercy Housing (2007), and participation in the Burma-Colorado Roundtable Network (2009).

In Costa Rica, his outreach included the Current Primary Attention Project (1999), the Brunca Regional Project of Dental Attention (2000), and the Oral Dental Health Program (2001).

Across all of this work, his focus has been the same: making oral health knowledge easier to access and serving communities through education.

Outside the Office

When he is not caring for patients, Dr. Escala enjoys time with his family and exploring Colorado's outdoors. Hiking, fishing, camping, and playing soccer are among his favorite activities.