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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 talking clearly 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 make dental implant placement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you schedule an appointment with a local Metlakatla dentist who is in-network with Aetna and offers ridge augmentation. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make dental care affordable!

Jawbone grafting is also known as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to rebuild jawbone structure in your gums. Your dentist could employ new tissue from multiple sources. Tissue could be sourced from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials could also be used. Some opt for 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 see them as natural structures. 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 Metlakatla, AK who offers ridge augmentation, and also let you know about our dental discount plan to make sure your care 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 teeth. 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 book a visit with a Aetna dentist in Metlakatla, AK who can offer a safe tooth removal as needed.

As we touched on above, advanced decay or injury could be why a tooth needs extraction. But a dentist could also remove one that is loosened by periodontal disease. Removing a tooth could return balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for treatment with braces! 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 Metlakatla 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 find your dentist in the Metlakatla, AK area. But if you don’t have a dental plan, you may worry about the cost. Fortunately, we have a financing option! Our dental membership plan is opened with an initial fee and maintained with a monthly fee. For some, this could cut the cost of 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 articulate. But the most serious complication is the break down of structure in the jaw. The body decreases 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 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 Metlakatla, AK who can make smiles ready for implants.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, a jawbone grafting procedure helps strengthen the lower jaw, so it can support dental implants. But what about the upper arch? Instead of a grafting procedure, your Metlakatla dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will push up 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 preserve the area. 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 a new smile, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Metlakatla, AK dental professional who can address tooth loss and takes Aetna. When your smile is strengthened and ready, dental implants could provide a full smile again. If you don’t have insurance, don’t let this stand between you and good oral health. Instead, talk to our team about our Direct Dental Plan. With our Direct Dental Plan, 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 treatment, this condition could lead to painful symptoms, including sore gums. The advanced stage, also known as periodontitis, could also cause tooth loss. This is why care from a Metlakatla dentist is necessary when you begin to experience sore, red, and bleeding 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 early stages of periodontitis could occur due to improper brushing and flossing. Some could develop it due to severe plaque and tartar buildup, or due to certain medications, tobacco use, inflammation, or even other family members with poor gum health. As we touched on above, tell-tell signs include discomfort and bleeding in the gums. By seeing a dentist in Metlakatla, 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 recognize these symptoms, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist in the last six months, you should book an online appointment. At Doctors Network, we can find the right dentists in Metlakatla who accept Aetna. A healthy and whole smile is always possible, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom tooth pulled 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 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 oral surgeon near you in Metlakatla, AK that accepts Aetna.

Wisdom teeth are in the back of the mouth, and there is one on each quadrant. They most commonly appear between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five. Because they come in later than the rest of your teeth, their arrival can cause issues with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd directions, only partially come in, or overcrowd your already-established teeth. When this occurs, they are likely to succumb to abscess and infections. If any of these situations happen, it can be very uncomfortable and can affect your existing teeth. If you think you might have complications with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Metlakatla oral surgeon or dentist quickly.

If you do need wisdom tooth extraction, your oral healthcare professional will determine how they will go about the extraction to make certain everything goes smoothly. They will determine which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it could get. They will also assess the appropriate type of sedation and the state of your existing teeth and nerve. Once they ascertain these details, 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 experience discomfort. 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 information about the recovery period. Fortunately, there are many Metlakatla 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 aching jaw and facial pain? 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 cause pain, but actually crack or chip a tooth! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dentist in Metlakatla, 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 head and neck. Bruxism means you often grind your teeth or clench your jaw. The pressure could cause jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also damage teeth. This damage could lead to decayed teeth, infection, and more. Both disorders could be caused by issues that strain the jaw joints, 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 dentist in Metlakatla who accepts Aetna.

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