Search for a doctor or a procedure based on your insurance. If you do not have insurance, select a doctor who offers a savings plan.

A lot happens to our smile when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with eating your favorite foods. Even speaking clearly could be a problem. However, the major problem is the break down of density 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 prepare the gum for dental implants! Fortunately, Doctors Network could link you to a local Old Harbor oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is in-network with Aetna and performs ridge augmentation. In addition, we could also discuss our membership plan to make dental care affordable!

Ridge preservation is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to rebuild jawbone 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 be employed as well. Some opt for synthetic materials. Through oral surgery, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the mandible bone.

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, allowing long-lasting tooth replacement. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Old Harbor, AK who performs ridge augmentation and dental implants, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your care fits your budget!

When you have a toothache, or a tooth that is damaged, you need dental care. Otherwise, the tooth could develop cavities 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 or a root canal. Instead, the tooth could require immediate extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you find a Aetna dentist in Old Harbor, AK who can offer a effective 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. Extracting a tooth could improve bite balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for correcting misalignment! In many cases, this could prevent wisdom tooth impaction. Removing wisdom teeth prior to eruption helps preserve the balance and smile beauty. For people with advanced tooth loss, removing the last few teeth essentially paves the way for dentures. Your Old Harbor general dentist could use the extraction to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance of your smile.

Now that you understand when a tooth may need to be taken out, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find a great dental practice in the Old Harbor, AK area. But if you don’t have coverage, you may worry about costs. Fortunately, we have a direct payment plan! 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 percent!

Tooth loss could lead to multiple complications for your smile. For example, this could impact how easily you eat your favorite foods, or how clearly you can talk. But the most serious complication is the break down of structure in the jaw. The body suspends the flow of calcium, phosphate, and other minerals to the areas without teeth, 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 gaps in your smile. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Old Harbor, 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 Old Harbor dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will raise the sinus floor to induce the formation of new bone structure. The new structure can support your new implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to preserve the area. Your new teeth then stay firm for decades, 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 Old Harbor, AK dental professional who can address tooth loss and takes Aetna. When your smile is strengthened and ready, dental implants could provide a whole smile again. If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t let this stand between you and a complete smile. 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 in your future!

According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control, over half of the population older than the age of thirty suffer from poor periodontal health. Without intervention, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including red and bleeding gums. The advanced stage, also known as periodontitis, could also cause missing teeth. This is why care from a Old Harbor dental professional 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 needs regular attention!

How does the gum disease start? The changes to your gum tissue could occur due to improper brushing and flossing. Some could develop it due to lack of dental cleaning visits, or due to inflammatory illness, certain medications, tobacco use, or even gum disease in other family members. As we touched on above, warning signs include sore, red, and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Old Harbor, AK you can receive gum treatments like pocket reduction surgery to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be accepted by insurance plans.

If you feel concerned, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist in recent months, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Old Harbor 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 tell 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 these teeth pulled, it is important to have lots 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 Old Harbor, AK that accepts Aetna.

The third molars are located in the back of the mouth, and there is one on each quadrant. They typically appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because they are the last adult teeth, their arrival can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at unusual angles, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your already-established teeth. When this occurs, they are probably going to be affected by harmful bacteria. If any of these situations happen, it can be very uncomfortable and can affect your teeth. If you think you might have complications with wisdom teeth coming in, it is important to see a Old Harbor oral surgery practice as soon as possible.

If you in fact need wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will determine how they will go about the removal to make certain 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 teeth. Once they ascertain these details, they can plan your treatment more easily. When you come in for the procedure, you will receive the appropriate anesthesia, so you will not feel 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 post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Old Harbor dentists that accept Aetna and can adeptly extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed a popping sensation in your jaw? Do you have frequent headaches or jaw pain? If so, this could be related to widespread jaw joint disorders. Around twenty-five million people in the United States suffer from TMD and teeth grinding. Without treatment, these could not only lead to painful symptoms, but actually wear down outer tooth structure! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dental office in Old Harbor, AK who accepts Aetna.

While very different from one another, we often find these are related. TMJ disorder develops when the joints connecting the jaw and skull are stressed. This could cause problems with jaw function. Common symptoms include pain in the face, head and neck, and jaw. Bruxism means you suffer from nightly teeth grinding. The pressure could cause 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 lead to bruxism, and vice-versa. When you have frequent discomfort in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dentist in Old Harbor who accepts Aetna.

There are, however, multiple treatment options available; for some, relief is possible following recontouring, which improves bite balance. For others, treating misalignment with Invisalign could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option offered by most dental professionals is a custom splint, which fits like a nightguard. If you need to find treatment from a Old Harbor dentist. then contact our team!