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Oral health declines when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with eating a variety of meals. Even clear speech could be a problem. However, the major problem is the loss of structure in the jaw. This weakens the jaw, and could even cause patients to look older. More importantly, this limits dental implant placement. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to make dental implant placement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you schedule an appointment with a local Alatna oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is in-network with Aetna and provides this care. In addition, we could also discuss our membership program to make care affordable!

Ridge preservation is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to restore the lost structure in your gums. Your dentist could use a number of different options. We could take tissue from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials like bovine bone could also be used. Some opt for synthetic materials. During oral surgery, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the lower jaw.

Once the area heals, the dental implants could be placed. The body will accept them as natural roots. As a result, they help prevent any further breakdown in the jaw, preserving your smile. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Alatna, AK who performs jawbone grafting, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your treatment fits your budget!

When you have a toothache, or a tooth that is damaged, you need dental care. Otherwise, the tooth could develop caries and infections. Soon, there is a risk of not only missing teeth, but a spread of infection to other areas of the jaw. But sometimes, the damage or cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a tooth filling. Instead, the tooth could require immediate extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you connect with a Aetna dentist or oral surgeon in Alatna, AK who can offer a gentle tooth extraction as needed.

As we discussed earlier, severe cavities or injury could be why a tooth needs extraction. But a dentist could also remove one that is loosened by gum disease. Extracting a tooth could improve bite balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for correcting misalignment! In many cases, this could prevent complications from wisdom teeth. Removing wisdom teeth prior to eruption helps preserve the balance and appearance of your smile. For people with advanced tooth loss, removing the last few teeth essentially paves the way for dentures. Your Alatna dentist could use this to improve the function and health of your smile.

Now that you understand when a tooth may need an extraction, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in the Alatna, AK area. But if you don’t have dental insurance, you may worry about the cost. Fortunately, we have a payment plan! Our dental membership plan is opened with an initial fee and maintained with a low monthly cost. For some, this could cut the cost of care by up to ninety percent!

Tooth loss could lead to major issues for your smile. For example, this could impact your meal options, or how clearly you can speak. But the most severe complication is the loss of integrity in the jaw. The body suspends the flow of calcium and phosphate to the areas without tooth roots, which in turn causes bone loss and the loss of youthful facial structure and weakens the structure significantly. Which means you may not be able to receive dental implants to address lost teeth. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Alatna, AK who can strengthen your smile.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, a jawbone grafting procedure helps strengthen the mandible, so it can support dental implants. But what about the the upper area? Instead of grafting, your Alatna dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will push up the sinus floor to induce the formation of new support structure. The new structure can support dental implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to preserve the area. Your new teeth can then last for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened maxillary jawbone to support one or more dental implants, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Alatna, AK dentist who can offer a sinus lift and takes Aetna. When your smile is strengthened and ready, dental implants could provide a complete smile again. If you don’t have insurance, don’t let this stand between you and optimal oral health. Instead, talk to our team about our financing option. With our Direct Dental Plan, you can have treatments discounted by as much as 90% in some situations. A full smile can happen!

According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control, over half of the population older than 30 suffer from poor periodontal health. Without intervention, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including sore gums. The advanced stage, also known as periodontitis, could also cause adult tooth loss. This is why care from a Alatna dental specialist is necessary when you begin to exhibit the common warning signs. We can help by connecting you to one that accepts Aetna. After all, we all benefit from routine dental care!

How does the gum disease start? The changes to your gum tissue could occur due to poor oral hygiene habits. Others could develop it due to lack of dental cleaning visits, or due to gingivitis, tobacco use, certain medications, or even gum disease in other family members. As we touched on above, warning signs include sore and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Alatna, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like deep cleaning to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatment options could be accepted by insurance plans.

If you notice these signs, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist since the pandemic started, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can make sure you find dentists in Alatna who accept Aetna. Strong periodontal health is always possible, and we can help connect you to your new dentist!

You probably know a lot of people who have had their wisdom teeth removed and are eager to divulge their story to you. While this can be helpful, it is still necessary to consult with a professional. If you need your wisdom teeth pulled, it is important to have a wide range of information at your disposal. This will help you understand what to expect from the procedure and what you should look for in a dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great dentist near you in Alatna, AK that accepts Aetna.

The third molars are located in the back of your mouth, and there is one on each quadrant. They typically appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because they come in later than the rest of your teeth, their arrival can cause complications with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd angles, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your existing teeth. When this occurs, they are more susceptible to harmful bacteria. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very uncomfortable and can affect your dentition. If you think you might have issues with wisdom teeth, it is important to see a Alatna oral surgeon hastily.

If you in fact need wisdom tooth extraction, your doctor will determine how they will go about the removal to make sure everything goes smoothly. They will determine which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it could get. They will also determine the appropriate type of anesthesia and the position of your existing teeth. Once they ascertain this information, they can plan your wisdom teeth extraction more easily. When you come in for the procedure, you will receive the appropriate anesthesia option, so you will not feel any pain. Your dentist will extract your teeth and pay attention to your needs the entire time to make sure you are ok. Once your wisdom teeth are pulled, you will get post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Alatna dentists that accept Aetna and can effectively remove your wisdom teeth.

Have you experienced popping or cracking when you open your mouth? Do you have persistent migraines? If so, this could be related to a common but serious oral health issue. Around twenty-five million people in the United States suffer from TMD and teeth grinding. Without treatment, these could not only cause pain, but actually crack or chip a tooth! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dental office in Alatna, AK who accepts Aetna.

While very different from one another, one often increases the risk of the other. TMJ disorder develops when the jaw joints undergo excessive strain. This could cause problems opening and closing the mouth fully. Common symptoms include pain in the jaw, head, and neck. Bruxism means you clench or grind your teeth in your sleep. The pressure of clenching could cause headaches and jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also weaken and damage the tooth structure. This damage could lead to decay, infection, and more. Both disorders could be caused by issues that cause bite imbalance, and untreated TMJ disorder could cause bruxism, and vice-versa. When you have persistent pain in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dental professional in Alatna who accepts Aetna.

Treatment options often vary; for some, relief is possible following dental bonding, which improves bite balance. For others, treating misalignment with Invisalign could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option most dentists offer is an oral splint, which fits like a mouthguard. If you need to find treatment from a Alatna dentist. then contact our team!