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A lot happens to our smile when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with eating a variety of meals. Even speaking clearly could be a problem. However, the major problem is the loss of structure in the jaw. This weakens the jaw, and could even cause a prematurely aged appearance. More importantly, this limits dental implant placement. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to make tooth replacement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you schedule an appointment with a local Anchorage dentist who is in-network with Aetna and offers ridge augmentation. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make care affordable!

Ridge preservation is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to rebuild jawbone structure in your mandible. Your dentist could employ new tissue from multiple sources. Tissue could be taken from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials such as freeze-dried bovine bone particles could also be used. Others recommend synthetic materials. In a surgical procedure, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the lower jaw.

Once the area heals, one or more dental implants could be placed. The body will allow them to bond with the jaw. As a result, they help prevent any further breakdown in the jaw, protecting facial structure. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Anchorage, AK who performs ridge augmentation and dental implants, and also let you know about our membership plan to make sure your treatment fits your budget!

If you have a toothache, or a tooth that is broken or cracked, you need treatment. Otherwise, the tooth could develop caries and infections. Soon, there is a risk of not only tooth loss, but a spread of infection to other areas of the jaw. But sometimes, the cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a tooth filling or a root canal. Instead, the tooth could require immediate extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you book a visit with a Aetna dentist or oral surgeon in Anchorage, AK who can provide a safe tooth extraction as needed.

As we touched on above, cavities or injury could be why a tooth needs extraction. But a dentist could also remove one that is loosened by periodontal disease. Extracting a tooth could return balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for orthodontic treatment! 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 a full prosthetic. Your Anchorage dentist could use this to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance of your smile.

Now that you understand when and why a tooth may require removal, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can locate a dentist in the Anchorage, AK area. But if you don’t have a dental plan, you may worry about costs. Fortunately, we have a payment plan! Our dental membership plan is opened with an initial fee and maintained with a monthly fee. For some, this could reduce the cost of care by up to 90 percent!

Tooth loss could lead to multiple complications for your smile. For example, this could impact your meal options, or how clearly you can talk. But the most severe complication is the break down of structure in the jaw. The body suspends the flow of phosphate and calcium to the areas without teeth, which in turn causes bone loss and the loss of youthful facial structure and weakens the jaw significantly. Which means you may not be able to receive dental implants to address your missing teeth. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Anchorage, AK who can make smiles ready for implants.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, a ridge augmentation procedure helps strengthen the lower jaw, so it can support dental implants. But what about the upper jaw? Instead of a grafting procedure, your Anchorage dentist could perform a sinus lift. Essentially, the dentist will raise the sinus floor to generate new support structure. The new structure can support dental implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to prevent further breakdowns. Your new teeth can then last for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened upper jawbone to support new teeth, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Anchorage, AK oral surgeon who can provide these services and takes Aetna. When your smile is strengthened and ready, dental implants could provide a full smile again. If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t let this stand between you and optimal oral health. Instead, talk to our team about our Direct Dental Plan. With a monthly fee, you can have treatments discounted by as much as 90% in some situations. A full smile is in your future!

According to the research by the Centers for Disease Control, over half of adults older than 30 suffer from gum disease. Without intervention, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including red and bleeding gums. The advanced stage, also known as periodontitis, could also cause tooth loss. This is why care from a Anchorage periodontist is necessary when you begin to notice changes to your gums. We can help by connecting you to one that accepts Aetna. After all, your smile is important!

How does the poor gum health come about? The changes to your gum tissue could occur due to lack of proper brushing and flossing. Some could develop it due to lack of dental cleaning visits, or due to tobacco use, inflammatory illness, certain medications, or even a family history of the disease. As discussed above, warning signs include discomfort and bleeding in the gums. By seeing a dentist in Anchorage, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like deep cleaning to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be covered by insurance plans.

If you notice these signs, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist in the last six months, you should schedule a visit. At Doctors Network, we can make sure you find dentists in Anchorage who accept Aetna. A healthy and whole smile is always possible, and we can help help you find the help you need!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom teeth extracted and are eager to divulge their experience to you. While this can be helpful, it is still necessary to consult with a dentist or an oral surgeon. If you need your wisdom teeth pulled, it is best to have a plethora of information at your disposal. This will help you understand what to expect from wisdom teeth removal and what you should look for in a dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great dentist near you in Anchorage, AK that accepts Aetna.

The third molars are located in the back of the mouth, and there are two on the top and two on the bottom. They most commonly appear between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five. Because wisdom teeth come in later than the rest of your teeth, their appearance can cause issues with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd angles, only partially come in, or overcrowd your current teeth. When this occurs, they are likely to succumb to bacteria and infections. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very uncomfortable and can damage your teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth coming in, it is important to see a Anchorage oral surgery specialist quickly.

If you do need wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will determine how they will go about the procedure to make sure everything goes smoothly. They will determine how many of your 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 and nerve. Once they ascertain this information, they can extract your wisdom teeth more easily. When you come in for the procedure, you will receive the appropriate sedation option, so you will not feel pain. Your dentist will extract your teeth and look after you the entire time to make sure you are doing well. Once your wisdom teeth are pulled, you will be provided with post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Anchorage dentists that accept Aetna and can adeptly extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or cracking when you open your mouth? Do you have frequent headaches or jaw pain? 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 just cause jaw pain, but actually wear down outer tooth structure! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dentist in Anchorage, AK who accepts Aetna.

While very different from one another, these two disorders are often related. TMJ disorder develops when the joints connecting the jaw and skull are stressed. This could cause problems when you eat or speak. Common symptoms include pain in the jaw, head, and neck. Bruxism means you often grind your teeth or clench your jaw. The stress caused by grinding could cause jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also weaken and damage the tooth structure. This damage could lead to decayed teeth, infection, and more. Both disorders could be caused by issues that upset bite balance, 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 Anchorage who accepts Aetna.

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