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A lot happens to our smile when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with consuming solid foods. 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 prevents 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 great Thorne Bay oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is in-network with Aetna and performs this care. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make care affordable!

Jawbone grafting is also known 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 could also be used. Some opt for synthetic materials. During 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 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 Thorne Bay, AK who offers ridge augmentation, and also let you know about our dental discount plan to make sure your treatment fits in your budget!

When 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 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 restoration. Instead, the tooth could require an extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you connect with a Aetna dentist in Thorne Bay, AK who can offer 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. Taking out 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 dentures. Your Thorne Bay dentist could use the extraction 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 Thorne Bay, AK area. But if you don’t have coverage, 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 small fee each month. For some, this could reduce the cost of 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 talk. But the most severe complication is the break down of structure in the jaw. The body reduces the flow of phosphate and calcium to the areas without roots, which in turn causes bone loss and an aged appearance 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 Thorne Bay, AK who can strengthen your smile.

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 Thorne Bay dentist could perform a sinus lift. Essentially, 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 preserve the area. Your new teeth can then stay firm for decades, 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 Thorne Bay, 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 good oral health. Instead, talk to our team about our monthly membership plan. With a monthly 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 older than 30 suffer from poor periodontal health. Without intervention, this condition could lead to painful symptoms, including bleeding gums. The advanced stage, known as periodontitis, could also cause adult tooth loss. This is why care from a Thorne Bay 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 poor gum health come about? The early stages of periodontitis could occur due to lack of proper brushing and flossing. Others could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to tobacco use, inflammatory illness, certain medications, or even a family history of the disease. As we touched on above, warning signs include sore and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Thorne Bay, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like pocket reduction surgery 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 in recent months, you should book an online appointment. At Doctors Network, we can find the right dentists in Thorne Bay who accept Aetna. Good oral health is always possible, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom tooth extracted and are eager to divulge their experience to you. While this can be helpful, it is still essential to consult with a dental professional. If you need your wisdom teeth removed, it is important 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 dentist near you in Thorne Bay, AK that accepts Aetna.

Wisdom teeth are in the back of your mouth, and there are two on the top and two on the bottom. They most commonly appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because they come in later than the rest of your teeth, their arrival can cause complications with your existing ones. They can erupt at unusual angles, only partially come in, or overcrowd your already-established teeth. When this occurs, they are probably going to be affected by abscess and infections. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very painful and can damage your existing teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Thorne Bay dentist as soon as possible.

If you need wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will determine how they will go about the extraction to make certain everything goes without complications. They will decide 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 condition of your existing teeth and nerve. Once they ascertain this information, 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 feel discomfort. Your dentist will extract your teeth and look after you the entire time to make sure you are ok. Once your wisdom teeth are removed, you will receive information about the recovery period. Fortunately, there are many Thorne Bay dentists that accept Aetna and can skillfully extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or crackling sound in the jaw? 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 TMJ disorder or bruxism. Without treatment, these could not just cause jaw pain, but actually damage the teeth too! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can help you find a dental office in Thorne Bay, 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 jaw, head, face, and neck. Bruxism means you suffer from nightly teeth grinding. The stress caused by grinding could cause jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also fracture or break your 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 dental professional in Thorne Bay who accepts Aetna.

Treatment options often vary; for some, relief is possible following recontouring, 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 a custom splint, which fits like a nightguard. If you need to find treatment from a Thorne Bay dentist. then contact our team!