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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 clear speech could be a problem. However, the major problem is the loss of mass and density in the jaw. This weakens the jaw, and could even cause a prematurely aged appearance. More importantly, this leaves the smile too weak for implants. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to prepare the gum for dental implants! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you book an online appointment with a great Happy Valley oral surgeon who is in-network with Aetna and performs this care. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make dental care affordable!

Ridge preservation is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to preserve the ridge in your mandible. Your dentist could use various sources. Tissue could be taken from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials could also be used. Others recommend synthetic materials. Through oral surgery, 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 accept them as natural roots. As a result, they help prevent any further breakdown in the jaw, allowing long-lasting tooth replacement. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Happy Valley, AK who offers ridge augmentation, 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 injured, you need treatment. Otherwise, the tooth could develop a decay 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 issue is beyond the stage to be treated with a tooth filling. Instead, the tooth could require an extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you book a visit with a Aetna dentist in Happy Valley, AK who can provide a safe tooth removal 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 periodontitis. Extracting a tooth could restore overall balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for orthodontic treatment! In many cases, this could prevent wisdom tooth impaction. 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 Happy Valley general 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 need to be taken out, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can locate a dentist in the Happy Valley, AK area. But if you don’t have dental insurance, you may worry about costs. Fortunately, we have a financing option! Our dental membership plan is opened with an initial fee and maintained with a low monthly cost. For some, this could discount care by up to 90%!

Tooth loss could lead to multiple complications for your smile. For example, this could impact your meal options, or how clearly you can speak. But the most severe complication is the break down of structure in the jaw. The body decreases the flow of calcium, phosphate, and other minerals to the areas without tooth roots, which in turn causes bone loss and an aged appearance and weakens the jaw significantly. Which means you may not be able to receive dental implants to address gaps in your smile. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Happy Valley, 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 adding new tissue, your Happy Valley dentist could perform a sinus lift. Essentially, the dentist will push up the sinus floor to generate new bone 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 then last for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened upper jawbone to support one or more dental implants, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Happy Valley, AK dental professional 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 dental insurance, don’t let this stand between you and good oral health. Instead, talk to our team about our financing option. With a monthly membership fee, you can have treatments discounted by as much as 90% in some situations. A full smile is possible again!

According to studies by the CDC, over half of adults ages 30 and older suffer from periodontal disease. Without intervention, this condition could lead to painful symptoms, including sore gums. The advanced stage, known as periodontitis, could also cause tooth loss. This is why care from a Happy Valley dental professional 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 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 certain medications, inflammatory illness, tobacco use, or even a family history of the disease. As we touched on above, tell-tell signs include red, sore, and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Happy Valley, AK you can receive gum treatments like deep cleaning to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be covered by insurance plans.

If you experience these warning 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 find the right dentists in Happy Valley who accept Aetna. Strong periodontal health is always an option, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom tooth removed and are eager to describe their experience to you. While this can be helpful, it is still crucial to consult with a oral surgeon. If you need these teeth removed, it is best to have lots 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 oral surgeon near you in Happy Valley, AK that accepts Aetna.

The third molars are located in the back of your mouth, and there are two on the top and two on the bottom. They usually appear between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five. Because they come in later than the rest of your teeth, their appearance can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd angles, only partially come in, or overcrowd your already-established 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 harm your existing teeth. If you think you might have complications with wisdom teeth coming in, it is important to see a Happy Valley oral surgeon or dentist quickly.

If you do need wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will determine how they will go about the removal to make sure everything goes without complications. They will decide which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it will be. They will also assess the appropriate type of sedation and the condition of your existing vital anatomy such as nerves. Once they ascertain these facts, they can extract your wisdom teeth more easily. When you come in for the procedure, you will receive the appropriate sedation, so you will not experience 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 removed, you will be provided with information about the recovery period. Fortunately, there are many Happy Valley dentists that accept Aetna and can effectively extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or cracking when you open your mouth? Do you have persistent migraines? If so, this could be related to two common jaw joint issues. Around 25 million people in the United States suffer from chronic bruxism and TMJ dysfunction. Without treatment, these could not only lead to painful symptoms, but actually crack or chip a tooth! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can help you find a dental professional in Happy Valley, AK who accepts Aetna.

While very different from one another, we often find these are related. TMJ disorder develops when the jaw joints undergo excessive strain. This could cause problems when you eat or speak. Common symptoms include pain in the face, head and neck, and jaw. Bruxism means you clench or grind your teeth in your sleep. The pressure of clenching could cause jaw pain and headaches. Teeth grinding could also weaken and damage the tooth structure. This damage could lead to cavities, infection, and more. Both disorders could be caused by issues that upset bite balance, and untreated TMJ disorder could lead to 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 dentist in Happy Valley who accepts Aetna.

There are, however, multiple treatment options available; 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 dental professionals is an oral splint, which fits like a mouthguard. If you need to find treatment from a Happy Valley dentist. then contact our team!