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Oral health declines 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 mass and 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 make dental implant placement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could link you to a local Alakanuk oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and provides this care. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make care affordable!

Jawbone grafting is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to rebuild jawbone structure in your mandible. Your dentist could employ new tissue from multiple sources. We could take tissue from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials such as freeze-dried bovine bone particles could be employed as well. Others recommend synthetic materials. Through oral surgery, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the lower jawbone.

Once the area heals, the 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 in Alakanuk, AK who performs jawbone grafting, and also let you know about our membership plan to make sure your care fits your budget!

When you have a toothache, or a tooth that is injured, you need dental care. 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 damage or 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 Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist or oral surgeon in Alakanuk, AK who can offer a safe tooth extraction as needed.

As we discussed earlier, 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 correcting misalignment! In many cases, this could prevent complications from wisdom teeth. 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 a full prosthetic. Your Alakanuk dentist could use the extraction to improve the function and health of your smile.

Now that you understand why a tooth may need an extraction, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in the Alakanuk, AK area. But if you don’t have a dental plan, 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 discount care by up to 90 percent!

Tooth loss could lead to major issues 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 suspends the flow of calcium and phosphate 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 Alakanuk, 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 upper jaw? Instead of a grafting procedure, your Alakanuk dentist could perform a sinus lift. Essentially, the dentist will push up the sinus floor to induce the formation of new support structure. The new structure can support your new implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to prevent further breakdowns. Your new teeth can then stay firm for decades, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened maxillary jawbone to support new teeth, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Alakanuk, AK dentist who can offer a sinus lift and takes Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. 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 a complete smile. Instead, talk to our team about our Direct Dental Plan. With a monthly membership fee, 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 CDC, over half of the population ages 30 and older suffer from gum disease. Without intervention, 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 Alakanuk dental specialist is necessary when you begin to experience sore, red, and bleeding gums. We can help by connecting you to one that accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. After all, your smile is important!

How does the gum disease start? 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 certain medications, tobacco use, inflammation, or even gum disease in other family members. As discussed above, tell-tell signs include discomfort and bleeding in the gums. By seeing a dentist in Alakanuk, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like scaling and root planing to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatment options could be at least partially 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 schedule a visit. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Alakanuk who accept Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. A healthy and whole smile is always possible, and we can help help you find the help you need!

You probably know a lot of people who have had their wisdom tooth extracted and are eager to describe their experience to you. While this can be helpful, it is still necessary to consult with a professional. 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 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 Alakanuk, AK that accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Wisdom teeth are located 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 wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth, their appearance can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at unusual directions, only partially come in, or overcrowd your existing teeth. When this occurs, they are likely to succumb to bacteria and infections. If any of these situations happen, it can be very uncomfortable and can harm your teeth. If you think you might have issues with wisdom teeth coming in, it is important to see a Alakanuk oral surgeon or dentist as soon as possible.

If you do need wisdom tooth removal, your dentist will determine how they will go about the procedure to make certain everything goes smoothly. They will decide how many of your teeth need to be removed and how complex it will be. They will also decide the appropriate type of anesthesia and the position of your existing vital anatomy such as nerves. 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 any pain. Your dentist will extract your teeth and look after you the entire time to make sure you are ok. Once your wisdom teeth are pulled, you will be provided with post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Alakanuk dentists that accept Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and can effectively remove your wisdom teeth.

Have you experienced popping or crackling sound in the jaw? Do you have frequent headaches or jaw pain? If so, this could be related to two common jaw joint issues. Around twenty-five million people in the United States suffer from TMD and teeth grinding. Without treatment, these could not only cause pain, but actually damage the teeth too! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dental office in Alakanuk, AK who accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

While very different from one another, one often increases the risk of the other. 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 clench or grind your teeth in your sleep. 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 cause bite imbalance, and untreated TMJ disorder could cause 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 dental professional in Alakanuk who accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Treatment options often vary; for some, relief is possible following recontouring, which improves bite balance. For others, treating malocclusion with aligners or 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 Alakanuk dentist. then contact our team!