Dentistry Blog

Advanced Platelet Rich Fibrin (APRF) is a new advanced technology that helps heal wounds anywhere in the body, including those involved in oral surgery, using the patient’s own blood. Unlike Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), it has no additives. In addition to that, APRF is very rich in platelets, leukocyte cells (growth factor cells) and contains enriching Fibrin – the key ingredient for initiating the healing of a wound, with added antibacterial properties. APRF is more advanced than PRP due to having 20 times more leukocytes cells. It is used inside of extraction sockets and around dental implants to fast-track bone and gum formation. It allows the implant to heal at an accelerated rate. When the [...]

Dr. Pickett just purchased a new ceramic mill called the Primemill by Dentsply Sirona. It can mill a crown in just 5 minutes! This will help shorten the longer crown visits greatly. We love the dental technology available to us to help our patients at Pickett Family Dental! If you need to schedule your appointment with Dr. Pickett and Pickett Family Dental in Keller for a new dental crown, call us at (817) 431-5514. Thanks to a combination of new electronics, software, motors and mechanical components that contribute to finer resolution and enhanced dynamics, the Primemill offers results in outstanding restoration margins and surface details – for extremely precise results. Fastest Crowns [...]

Partial Dentures are dentures that replace some of your teeth. When you need partial dentures for the front teeth, our team at Pickett Family Dental can provide new false teeth or "partial dentures" that either clip around the existing teeth or via suction as long as it covers the palate. When can you have partial dentures? If you have teeth missing on one side of the mouth or on both sides. You can use temporary or permanent partial dentures depending on your specific case and how your gums and teeth adjust once the dentures have been placed. Are partial dentures good? Partial dentures are a great option to be used when you have one [...]

Here at Pickett Dental Family, we want to accurately diagnose and treat problems early on. With the use of the Dental X-ray, we can look deeper than the surface. X-rays are standard care of our dental cleaning and exams that we use to capture images of the interior of your teeth with low levels of radiation. With X-rays we can identify problems like impacted teeth, cavities, and tooth decay safely. The exposure to the X-ray’s radiation is lowered significantly.If this is your first time visiting our family dentistry office, we would need to request your X-ray record from your previous practitioner. This will give us a full picture of the condition of your teeth when we undergo a new set [...]

Although brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash are a big deal to maintain your teeth’s condition, healthy eating will always top the list to keep your teeth strong. The secret to it might just be hiding in your fridge. It’s not particularly wrong to eat our favorite snacks, but frequent eating of junk food may leave the sides and corners of our teeth that will soon develop cavities. For the sweet tooths, we encourage you to eat your candies in moderation. These superfoods are highly recommended for a shinier, brighter, and stronger set of teeth. Salmon is a great source of phosphorus Your favorite Salmon contains a handful of “Sunshine Vitamin” or Vitamin D. This [...]

It's time to remove your wisdom teeth because they are already causing you pain, putting pressure on your other teeth, and we've done x-rays of your wisdom teeth showing that your wisdom teeth need to be removed. It's now time for an oral surgeon to extract your wisdom teeth. How does Pickett Family Dental know when you're ready for wisdom teeth extraction? Typically wisdom teeth extraction happens between the ages of 15 and 25 and is recommended if you have any of the following issues with them: Wisdom teeth impacted They come in at the wrong angle Your mouth is too small to give them enough space to come in properly You have wisdom tooth [...]

What are Dental Sealants? Dental Sealants are thin, plastic materials that are bonded to the pits and fissures or affected areas of our teeth. It forms a protective shield by sealing the deep grooves. This is usually done at the back of our teeth -- premolars and molars. Toothbrush bristles cannot reach all corners of our teeth. These barriers make the surface of our teeth smooth, making it easier to keep clean. Oftentimes, our molars are the most used teeth for eating and yet the most hard to reach are for cleaning. Dental Sealants play a vital role in keeping our teeth away from cavities and stay in its best shape. Sealants are beneficial [...]

Cavity detection plays a vital role in dental examinations and yet not all can be detected through x-rays and the use of conventional instruments. Through the use of DIAGNOdent, we can detect cavities in its early signs. A DIAGNOdent is a laser that detects cavities that form in the pits and fissures of the teeth. When the laser encounters a decay, it causes fluorescence. The larger the cavity detected, the more fluorescence it shows, and the louder the beeping noise will sound. DIAGNOdent will also show the health of each tooth. The higher the number, the more your tooth is at risk. How DIAGNOdent Works This process takes a few [...]

Wondering what you should do if your tooth filling falls out? First thing to keep in mind is to relax and stay calm. Fillings can fall out and it's not uncommon, although it can be quite surprising. If it happens while eating and you feel something hard that shouldn't be there, just be sure not to accidentally swallow it. Now that you're past the scary part, the next step is simple: Call the Dentist. We're open 5 days a week and we are happy to assist with emergency filling replacements and even temporary fillings if it's especially bad timing and you need a quick fix. How Did My Filling Fall Out? Fillings are [...]

There are three reasons why people typically don’t go to the dentist: One is because of fear, another is a busy schedule, and third and most common is embarrassment. The other reason is because of no feeling of pain or discomfort. What actually happens is the longer you postpone your visit to the dentist, the longer the bacteria stays in your teeth and gums. Eventually a bacteria forms and creates an abscess that can soon cause the most agonizing pain. The worst possible case could happen when the pain starts throbbing in the middle of the night. While you think you are saving money by not including dental appointments in your budget, you are [...]