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A lot happens to our smile when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with consuming solid foods. Even clear speech 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 an older 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 help you schedule an appointment with a good Akiachak dentist who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and offers this care. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans 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 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 may be recommended too. Others recommend synthetic materials. Through oral surgery, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the mandible.

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, protecting facial structure. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Akiachak, AK who performs ridge augmentation and dental implants, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your treatment fits your budget!

When you have a toothache, or a tooth that is chipped, you need dental care. Otherwise, the tooth could develop a decay and infections. Soon, there is a risk of not only a lost tooth, but a spread of infection to other teeth. But sometimes, the damage or cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a tooth filling. Instead, the tooth could require immediate removal. At Doctors Network, our team can help you book an online appointment with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist in Akiachak, AK who can provide a safe tooth removal as needed.

As we discussed earlier, advanced decay 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 wisdom tooth impaction. Removing wisdom teeth prior to eruption helps preserve the balance and overall esthetics. For people with advanced tooth loss, removing the last few teeth essentially paves the way for a full prosthetic. Your Akiachak general dentist could use the procedure to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance of your smile.

Now that you understand why a tooth may require removal, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in the Akiachak, AK area. But if you don’t have a dental plan, 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 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 speak. But the most serious complication is the loss of mass and density in the jaw. The body suspends the flow of calcium and phosphate to the areas without tooth roots, which in turn causes bone loss and an older appearance and weakens the jaw significantly. Which means you may not be able to receive dental implants to address your missing teeth. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Akiachak, AK who can strengthen your smile.

As discussed in previous posts, a bone grafting procedure helps strengthen the mandible, so it can support dental implants. But what about the upper arch? Instead of a grafting procedure, your Akiachak 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 one or more implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to prevent further breakdowns. Your new teeth then stay in place for years, 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 Akiachak, AK oral surgeon who can address tooth loss and takes 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 good oral health. 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 gingival disease. Without treatment, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including sore gums. The advanced stage, referred to as periodontitis, could also cause the loss of your teeth. This is why care from a Akiachak dentist is necessary when you begin to notice changes to your gums. We can help by connecting you to one that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield. After all, your smile is important!

How does the disease start? The disease could occur due to improper brushing and flossing. Some could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to tobacco use, inflammatory illness, certain medications, or even gum disease in other family members. As discussed above, warning signs include discomfort and bleeding in the gums. By seeing a dentist in Akiachak, AK you can receive gum treatments like gum grafting to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be at least partially covered by insurance plans.

If you feel concerned, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist in the last six months, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can find the right dentists in Akiachak who accept 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 tooth removed and are eager to describe their experiences to you. While this can be helpful, it is still necessary to consult with a professional. If you need your wisdom teeth extracted, it is best to have a plethora of information at your disposal. This will help you understand what to expect from the procedure and what you should expect from the dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great oral surgeon near you in Akiachak, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The third molars or wisdom teeth are located in the back of the 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 teeth to erupt, their appearance can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd directions, only partially come in, or overcrowd your current teeth. When this occurs, they are likely to succumb to harmful bacteria. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very uncomfortable and can harm your teeth. If you think you might have issues with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Akiachak dentist 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 will be. They will also determine the appropriate type of anesthesia and the position of your existing teeth. Once they ascertain this information, 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 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 Akiachak dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can adeptly extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or crackling sound in the jaw? Do you have persistent migraines? If so, this could be related to two common jaw joint issues. Around 25 million people in the United States suffer from TMD and teeth grinding. Without treatment, these could not only cause pain, but actually crack or chip a tooth! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can connect you to a dentist in Akiachak, AK who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

While very different from one another, these two disorders are often 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 face, head and neck, and jaw. Bruxism means you grind or clench your teeth nightly. The pressure 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 lead to bruxism, and vice-versa. When you have chronic pain in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dental professional in Akiachak who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

There are, however, multiple treatment options available; for some, relief is possible following crown placement, which improves bite balance. For others, treating malocclusion with aligners or braces could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option offered by most dentists is a custom splint, which fits like a night-guard. If you need to find treatment from a Akiachak dentist. then contact our team!