An oral examination is a visual inspection of the mouth, head, and neck, performed to detect abnormalities. Low radiation digital imaging allows for a more complete examination, helping the doctor to detect cavities, problems in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession or other abnormal conditions within the mouth, head and neck area.
With this latest technology, a UV light detects cavities that are not yet visible to the naked eye. This technology enables dentists to practice minimally invasive dentistry by providing a better possibility of diagnosing this disease at an early stage.
A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished.
Periodontics deals with the gums and bone that hold teeth in place, and periodontal disease is what breaks that support down over time. These procedures are aimed at preserving or rebuilding those structures, either to keep natural teeth in the mouth or to create a stable foundation for implants. Dr. Robert Solomon, DMD, handles this care at our Middleton office.
A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a tooth that is cracked, broken, worn down, or severely decayed. Dental crowns are usually completed in two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared (shaved down) and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is fabricated. During the second visit, the permanent crown is carefully fitted and then cemented into place.
A bridge can replace missing teeth without the use of a denture or dental implant. A bridge is composed of two crowns and a replacement tooth or teeth. Crowns are typically placed on the teeth on either side of the space, with the fabricated tooth or teeth attached in between.
For multiple missing teeth, an implant may be used to anchor the bridge.
Dental implants replace missing teeth and protect existing teeth by helping to preserve bone structure. Dental implants are composed of three pieces: a small screw made of a biocompatible metal called titanium, an abutment that connects the screw, and the final restoration.
A denture is a replacement for multiple missing teeth within the same (upper or lower) arch. A denture differs from a crown or bridge in that it does not rely on an existing tooth structure, and it completely replaces the missing teeth.
There are several different types of dentures:
Periodontics deals with the gums and bone that hold teeth in place, and periodontal disease is what breaks that support down over time. These procedures are aimed at preserving or rebuilding those structures, either to keep natural teeth in the mouth or to create a stable foundation for implants. Dr. Robert Solomon, DMD, handles this care at our Middleton office.
CAD/CAM refers to computer-aided design paired with computer-aided manufacturing, and in dentistry it lets our team design and produce restorations, including inlays, onlays, crowns, and bridges, at precise dimensions. The result is a durable, natural-looking fit for single teeth or several at once, produced far more efficiently than older methods allowed.
The process starts with preparing the tooth. A digital scan then captures its exact contours and feeds them into the design software, which builds a virtual replacement for the missing structure. Those design files travel to a milling unit, where the restoration is carved from a solid block of ceramic or composite resin. Once milled, it is tried in, adjusted for a comfortable bite, and then cemented or bonded into place.
A dental laser produces a narrow, tightly controlled beam of light that acts as a cutting instrument during surgical and gum procedures. Because the beam works only where it is aimed, treatment stays confined to the tissue that needs attention and the healthy tissue beside it is left undisturbed. For our patients in Middleton, MA, and neighboring Topsfield, that usually adds up to a quieter appointment with less discomfort, less bleeding, a shorter healing period, and often fewer trips back to the office.
Other advantages lasers hold over conventional instruments include:
Ways we put dental lasers to work:
Cold sore laser treatment is a fast, drug-free option for managing painful cold sores using a focused, low-level laser applied directly to the affected area. The treatment works by targeting the virus and stimulating the surrounding tissue, which can ease discomfort within minutes, speed up healing, and often prevent the sore from fully developing when caught early. Best of all, the procedure is quick, painless, and requires no needles or medication, making it a comfortable choice for patients looking for lasting relief and fewer future outbreaks.
Biomimetic dentistry is a modern, conservative approach to restoring teeth that focuses on preserving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Rather than relying on traditional crowns or large fillings, this technique uses advanced materials and bonding methods that mimic the natural strength, function, and appearance of healthy teeth. The result is a stronger, more natural restoration that reduces the need for invasive procedures, helps prevent future damage, and keeps your smile looking and feeling like your own.
Periodontics deals with the gums and bone that hold teeth in place, and periodontal disease is what breaks that support down over time. These procedures are aimed at preserving or rebuilding those structures, either to keep natural teeth in the mouth or to create a stable foundation for implants. Dr. Robert Solomon, DMD, handles this care at our Middleton office.
Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile by removing stains and discoloration caused by everyday foods, drinks, and aging. With in-office bleaching, your dental team applies a professional-grade whitening solution and often uses a special light to deliver dramatic results in just one visit, making it ideal for patients who want immediate improvement. At-home bleaching offers a more gradual approach, using custom-fitted trays and professional whitening gel that you apply over a series of days for a whiter smile on your own schedule—giving you the flexibility to choose the treatment that best fits your needs.
There is no age limit on wanting a straighter smile. Invisalign® clear aligners appeal to busy adults because they are comfortable, removable, and discreet enough to wear through a workday without anyone noticing. The system relies on three-dimensional digital planning to map how your teeth should move, then produces a series of trays made only for you. Each tray is shaped from smooth, clear plastic and slips over your teeth, applying gentle pressure that guides them a little further along at every stage. Patients travel to LaFauci Dental Group in Middleton, MA from across the North Shore for this treatment.
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth to instantly transform the look of your smile. They can correct a wide range of cosmetic concerns—including chips, stains, gaps, and misshapen or uneven teeth—while blending naturally with your surrounding teeth for a beautiful, seamless result. Durable and stain-resistant, veneers offer a long-lasting way to achieve a brighter, more uniform smile that looks and feels completely natural.
Sleep apnea and chronic snoring can disrupt your rest and affect your overall health, but your dental team offers comfortable, effective solutions to help you breathe and sleep better. Rather than relying on bulky CPAP machines, many patients benefit from custom-fitted oral appliances that gently reposition the jaw to keep the airway open throughout the night. This convenient, non-invasive treatment can reduce snoring, improve the quality of your sleep, and help you wake up feeling more refreshed and energized.
Periodontics deals with the gums and bone that hold teeth in place, and periodontal disease is what breaks that support down over time. These procedures are aimed at preserving or rebuilding those structures, either to keep natural teeth in the mouth or to create a stable foundation for implants. Dr. Robert Solomon, DMD, handles this care at our Middleton office.
Cosmetic periodontal surgery is a specialized treatment designed to improve the appearance of your gums and create a more balanced, attractive smile. Whether you have a “gummy” smile, uneven gum lines, or gum recession that exposes the roots of your teeth, this procedure reshapes and restores the gum tissue for a healthier, more symmetrical result. By enhancing the frame around your teeth, cosmetic periodontal surgery can boost both the beauty of your smile and the long-term health of your gums.
A pocket depth reduction is a surgical procedure used to smooth and reshape affected bone under the gum tissue. This procedure is performed when a pocket around a tooth (or teeth) has not responded to other treatments. It creates a shallow pocket making it difficult for bacteria to survive and damage bone, resulting in bone loss and ultimately, tooth loss.
Bone grafting is the replacement or enhancement of bone around teeth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone collapses. Bone grafting is performed to reverse bone loss or enhance bone. The bone can be taken from parts of the body or from synthetic material. Bone grafting allows for proper support of dental implants or prostheses.
Crown lengthening is commonly used to expose more tooth structure, crown lengthening involves the removal of gum tissue and/or bone to expose more of a tooth’s structure.
Bone regeneration is a periodontal surgical procedure that regenerates jaw bone and surrounding tissue. This procedure is often performed to protect your existing teeth and the tissues that keep them in place from bacterial plaque. The gingival tissue is folded back to remove the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes, bone grafts, or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage the body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.
Ridge preservation involves placing a regenerative bone grafting material into empty tooth sockets to rebuild bone where an extraction has left an empty, weakened area. This process encourages your body’s natural capacity to regenerate bone.
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth’s root after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the pulp, the soft tissue at the center of a tooth where the nerve lives. When the outer structure of a tooth is compromised, that inner chamber becomes vulnerable to decay. An endodontist treats the problem from the inside so the tooth itself can stay where it belongs. Dr. Andrea Shah, DMD, provides that care here, which means our patients rarely need to be sent anywhere else for it.
Saving natural teeth is always the priority. Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside the canals is infected or damaged, often following an injury or advancing decay. That tissue holds blood vessels, nerves, and connective fibers. Most teeth contain somewhere between one and four canals, and treatment may involve a single canal or all of them, depending on the tooth.
When a tooth is infected or at risk of infection, root canal therapy can often save the tooth. The procedure involves removing the dental pulp and replacing it with a filler material that preserves the tooth and prevents infection. Root canal therapy can be done proactively to prevent infection or retroactively to treat a tooth infection.
After a root canal procedure has been performed on a tooth, a tooth may still become reinfected if the root canal was not complete. This calls for endodontic retreatment, which is essentially a repeat root canal. We use an endodontic microscope to ensure that we remove all of the dental pulp and completely fill every space within the root canal to prevent the need for retreatment.
When underdeveloped or damaged root tissue allows bacteria to enter the root canal it can result in an infection. An apicoectomy removes the tip of the tooth root, cleans out the infected tissue, and places a cap on the end of the root to seal it off from further infection.
An injury to the mouth can knock a tooth loose or out of place. It can also cause internal problems with a tooth that are unable to be seen right away. Prompt treatment after an injury improves the chances of saving the tooth.
Sometimes the tooth pulp can become infected. The infected pulp can be removed with a pulpotomy.
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