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A lot happens to our smile when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with consuming solid foods. Even talking 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 an older 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 link you to a local Seldovia oral surgeon who is in-network with Aetna and provides ridge augmentation. In addition, we could also discuss our membership program to make dental 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 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. During oral surgery, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the mandibular 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, preserving your smile. Our team can connect you to a dentist or oral surgeon in Seldovia, AK who performs jawbone grafting, 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 chipped, you need treatment. Otherwise, the tooth could develop caries and infections. Soon, there is a risk of not only a lost tooth, but a spread of infection to other teeth. But sometimes, the cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a restoration. Instead, the tooth could require immediate extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you connect with a Aetna dentist in Seldovia, AK who can offer a gentle 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 gum disease. Removing a tooth could return 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 Seldovia general dentist could use the extraction to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance of your smile.

Now that you understand why and when a tooth may need an extraction, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find a great dental practice in the Seldovia, 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 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 nutritional intake, or how clearly you can articulate. But the most serious complication is the loss of mass and density in the jaw. The body suspends the flow of phosphate and calcium to the areas without 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 Seldovia, AK who can make smiles ready for implants.

As discussed in previous posts, a ridge augmentation procedure helps strengthen the lower jaw, so it can support dental implants. But what about the upper arch? Instead of grafting, your Seldovia 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 dental implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to prevent further breakdowns. 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 Seldovia, AK dentist who can offer a sinus lift 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 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 the research by the CDC, over half of adults older than 30 suffer from gum disease. Without treatment, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including bleeding gums. The advanced stage, also known as periodontitis, could also cause adult tooth loss. This is why care from a Seldovia 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, we all benefit from routine dental care!

How does the poor gum health come about? The changes to your gum tissue could occur due to improper brushing and flossing. Some could develop it due to severe plaque and tartar buildup, or due to tobacco use, inflammatory illness, certain medications, or even a family history of the disease. As discussed above, warning signs include red, sore, and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Seldovia, AK you can receive gum treatments like pocket reduction surgery to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be covered or partially covered with insurance plans.

If you experience these warning signs, or if you simply have not 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 Seldovia 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 pulled and are eager to divulge their experiences 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 a wide range of information at your disposal. This will help you understand what to expect from wisdom teeth removal and what you should expect from the dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great oral surgeon near you in Seldovia, AK that accepts Aetna.

The third molars are located in the back of the mouth, and there is one on each quadrant. They most commonly appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because wisdom teeth come in later than the rest of your teeth, their appearance can cause complications with your existing ones. They can erupt at unusual angles, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your existing teeth. When this happens, they are likely to succumb to bacteria and infections. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very uncomfortable and can harm your existing teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth coming in, it is important to see a Seldovia dentist as soon as possible.

If you in fact need wisdom tooth removal, your doctor will determine how they will go about the removal to ensure everything goes smoothly. They will decide how many of your teeth need to be removed and how complex it could get. They will also assess the appropriate type of anesthesia and the condition of your existing teeth. Once they ascertain these details, 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 monitor you the entire time to make sure you are doing well. Once your wisdom teeth are pulled, you will receive post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Seldovia dentists that accept Aetna and can effectively extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or crackling sound in the jaw? Do you have aching jaw and facial 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 damage the teeth too! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dental professional in Seldovia, AK who accepts Aetna.

While very different from one another, one often increases the risk of the other. TMJ disorder develops when the joints connecting the jaw and skull are stressed. This could cause problems opening and closing the mouth fully. Common symptoms include pain in the face, head and neck, and jaw. Bruxism means you often grind your teeth or clench your jaw. The pressure could cause headaches and 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 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 Seldovia 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 braces could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option most dentists offer is an oral splint, which fits like a night-guard. If you need to find treatment from a Seldovia dentist. then contact our team!