dental implants

How We Fix a Gummy Smile

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At Melinda Harr Dental, we often have patients who come to us for treatment for a gummy smile. A gummy smile is when an inordinately large part of the gums show when a person smiles. This can take away from the beauty of a smile, and many people find that they have more confidence when this is remedied. For treating a gummy smile, we use theSolea laser in Fargo, ND.

What is the Solea Laser?

The Solea laser is a dental tool that utilizes a special kind of light called isotopic, low-energy CO2 light. Solea laser is approved by the FDA to treat dental issues concerning bone, enamel and soft tissue, such as excess gums.

With Solea laser, there is no need for surgery or dental drills, which greatly minimizes the necessary recovery time after treatment, as well as patient anxiety during the treatment. This is considered to be a huge benefit to both dentist and patient.

Treating a Gummy Smile with Solea Laser

To treat a gummy smile with Solea laser, we first determine how much gum tissue might be removed to improve appearance. At this time, you and your dentist will converse, so that you know what to expect with the results. The dentist will then apply a local anesthetic. This will help to ensure your comfort and numb the area. If you need mild sedation, you can ask for that, too. However, most people find the experience of Solea laser to be so low-key, that no sedation is necessary.

Using the digital controls on Solea laser, the dentist will precisely trim and contour the gums so they are more aesthetically-pleasing. Solea laser seals blood vessels as it works, so there is minimal bleeding and swelling.

If you have a gummy smile, talk to your Fargo, ND dentist about treatment with Solea laser. A better smile is waiting for you!

smile makeover

How Diagnodent Cavity Protection Detects Cavities

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At Melinda Harr Dental, we invest in technology so that we can offer our current and future patients the best possible dental services and treatments. One of the ways your Fargo, ND dentist helps to preserve your dental health is with Diagnodent®, a cavity protection tool.

What is Diagnodent®?

Diagnodent® is a state-of-the-art device that is specifically designed to detect cavities. This is now the go-to tool at Melinda Harr Dental due to how effective it is at diagnosing and managing tooth decay from cavities. Using modern laser fluorescence technology, this tool offers a very accurate and simple way to detect cavities, even small ones that may not be evident to the patient. In particular, Diagnodent® excels at detecting hidden cavities, such as ones that are developing below the gum line, which traditional methods of cavity detection are more apt to miss.

How Does Diagnodent® Work?

Diagnodent® works by emitting a certain wavelength of laser light onto the surface of each tooth as the dentist works. The reflection of a healthy tooth varies from the reflection of a tooth that has a cavity. When the dentist sees a different reflection of light, they can measure it against readings on the Diagnodent® scale. The reason that the color of the light is different from that of teeth that have cavities is that the cavities absorb the laser light differently. This results in higher fluorescence and higher numerical readings on the device.

What are the Advantages of the Diagnodent® tool?

Both patients and dentists benefit from Diagnodent® in the following ways:

  • Improved cavity detection – The Diagnodent® tool enables the dentist to find cavities that would have been easy to overlook previously.
  • Non-invasive – The Diagnodent® cavity detection tool is painless and non-invasive.
  • Accurate – Once the Diagnodent® tool detects a cavity, the variation in light reflection is impossible to miss.

For cavity detection with Diagnodent® in Fargo, ND, visit Melinda Harr Dental. Contact us today to book your appointment!

3 Modern Ways to Treat Your Cavities

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When cavities popped up in the past, there were only so many ways to treat them. (If you ran across a dentist who happened to favor extraction, you might have even found yourself losing a few more teeth than necessary.) Today, treatment options are more sophisticated, allowing patients to not only save the integrity of the tooth but also feel more comfortable from start to finish.

3 Modern Types of Cavity Treatments 

If you visit a dentist to fill acavity in Fargo, ND, they may recommend one or more of the following:

  • SDF: Also known as silver diamine fluoride, SDF is a liquid that can fill up a cavity without drilling. While the cavity will need to be relatively small for it to work properly, it’s a painless way to treat early-stage holes in a tooth.
  • Lasers: Laser treatment for cavities works by targeting the decaying part of the tooth and cleaning it out with these modern tools. Because it’s so precise, the treatment tends to be shorter than its more traditional counterparts, which is great news for anyone who wants to get in and out of the dentist’s office as quickly as possible.
  • Composites: Composite fillings are made from resin and can be custom-shaped to match the rest of your teeth. Not only are these an excellent way to protect the tooth, but they’re also known to last.

Find a Dentist in Fargo, ND 

The right dentist in Fargo, ND, will invest in the products and services that help their patients preserve their oral health, regardless of where they’re starting. At Melinda Harr Dental, you’ll meet a staff member who can tell you more about how different kinds of preventative services and treatments work and whether they’re right for you.