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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 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 make tooth replacement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you find a good Elfin Cove oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and performs this care. In addition, we could also discuss our membership plan to make dental care affordable!

Bone grafting is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to rebuild jawbone structure in your mandible. Your dentist could use a number of different options. Tissue could be taken from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials could also be used. Others recommend synthetic materials. Through oral surgery, 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 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 Elfin Cove, AK who offers this surgical procedure, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your care fits your budget!

If 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 cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a restoration. Instead, the tooth could require immediate removal. At Doctors Network, our team can help you connect with a Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist or oral surgeon in Elfin Cove, AK who can offer a effective tooth removal as needed.

As we discussed earlier, severe cavities 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 improve bite 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 Elfin Cove general 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 an extraction, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find a great dental practice in the Elfin Cove, AK area. But if you don’t have a dental plan, you may worry about the cost. 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 multiple complications for your smile. For example, this could impact your nutritional intake, 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 phosphate and calcium to the areas without roots, which in turn causes bone loss and an older 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 Elfin Cove, AK who can strengthen your smile.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, a ridge augmentation procedure helps strengthen the mandible, so it can support dental implants. But what about the the upper area? Instead of a grafting procedure, your Elfin Cove 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 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 Elfin Cove, 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 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 the research by the Centers for Disease Control, over half of the population older than the age of thirty suffer from gum disease. Without intervention, this condition could lead to painful symptoms, including bleeding gums. The advanced stage, referred to as periodontitis, could also cause adult tooth loss. This is why care from a Elfin Cove dental specialist is necessary when you begin to notice changes to your gums. We can help by connecting you to one that accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. After all, your smile needs regular attention!

How does the poor gum health come about? The disease could occur due to poor oral hygiene habits. Others could develop it due to severe plaque and tartar buildup, or due to inflammatory illness, certain medications, tobacco use, or even a family history of the disease. As we touched on above, tell-tell signs include sore, red, and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Elfin Cove, AK you can receive gum treatments like gum grafting to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be covered by insurance plans.

If you feel concerned, or if you simply have not been to a dentist in the last six months, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Elfin Cove who accept Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. A healthy and whole smile is always an option, 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 oral surgeon. If you need your wisdom teeth extracted, 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 oral surgeon near you in Elfin Cove, AK that accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The third molars or wisdom teeth are located in the back of your mouth, and there are two on the top and two on the bottom. They typically appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because they come in later than the rest of your teeth, their appearance can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd angles, only partially come in, or overcrowd your existing teeth. When this happens, they are likely to succumb to harmful bacteria. If any of these situations happen, it can be very uncomfortable and can harm your teeth. If you think you might have complications with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Elfin Cove oral surgeon quickly.

If you in fact need wisdom tooth removal, your doctor will determine how they will go about the extraction to ensure everything goes smoothly. They will determine how many of your 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 vital anatomy such as nerves. 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 option, so you will not feel discomfort. Your dentist will extract your teeth and monitor you the entire time to make sure you are doing well. Once your wisdom teeth are extracted, you will get post-operative instructions. Fortunately, there are many Elfin Cove dentists that accept Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield 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 widespread jaw joint disorders. 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 connect you to a dental office in Elfin Cove, AK who accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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 with jaw function. Common symptoms include pain in the head and neck. Bruxism means you grind or clench your teeth nightly. The pressure of clenching could cause jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also damage teeth. This damage could lead to decay, 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 Elfin Cove who accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

There are, however, multiple treatment options available; 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 most dentists offer is an oral splint, which fits like a night-guard. If you need to find treatment from a Elfin Cove dentist. then contact our team!