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A lot happens to our smile when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with eating a variety of meals. Even talking 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 patients to look older. More importantly, this prevents dental implant placement. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to prepare the gum for dental implants! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you schedule an appointment with a local Akiak oral surgeon who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and provides this care. In addition, we could also discuss our membership program to make care affordable!

Bone grafting is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to preserve the ridge in your gums. Your dentist could use various sources. We could take tissue from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials such as freeze-dried bovine bone particles could also be used. Some opt for 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 see them as natural structures. As a result, they help prevent any further breakdown in the jaw, preserving your smile. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Akiak, AK who performs ridge augmentation and dental implants, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your care fits in your budget!

If you have a toothache, or a tooth that is damaged, you need dental care. Otherwise, the tooth could develop a decay and infections. Soon, there is a risk of not only missing teeth, but a spread of infection to other areas of the jaw. But sometimes, the issue 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 Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist or oral surgeon in Akiak, AK who can provide a gentle tooth extraction as needed.

As we touched on above, severe cavities or injury could be why a tooth needs extraction. But a dentist could also remove one that is loosened by periodontitis. Extracting a tooth could restore overall 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 appearance of your smile. For people with advanced tooth loss, removing the last few teeth essentially paves the way for dentures. Your Akiak dentist could use this to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance 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 find a general dentist in the Akiak, AK area. But if you don’t have coverage, 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 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 meal options, or how clearly you can articulate. But the most severe complication is the loss of integrity in the jaw. The body reduces the flow of calcium, phosphate, and other minerals 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 Akiak, AK who can strengthen your smile.

As discussed in previous posts, a jawbone grafting procedure helps strengthen the lower jaw, so it can support dental implants. But what about the the upper area? Instead of adding new tissue, your Akiak dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will push up the sinus floor to induce the formation of new support 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 last for decades to come, 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 Akiak, AK dentist who can provide these services and takes Blue Cross Blue Shield. When your smile is strengthened and ready, dental implants could provide a whole 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 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 Centers for Disease Control, over half of the population ages 30 and older suffer from poor periodontal health. 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 Akiak dental specialist 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, we all benefit from routine dental care!

How does the gum disease start? The disease could occur due to poor oral hygiene habits. Others could develop it due to lack of dental cleaning visits, or due to certain medications, inflammatory illness, tobacco use, or even gum disease in other family members. As discussed above, tell-tell signs include changes to your gingival tissues including soreness and bleeding. By seeing a dentist in Akiak, AK you can receive periodontal 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 experience these warning signs, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist in recent months, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Akiak who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. A healthy and whole smile is always an option, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom teeth pulled and are eager to describe their story to you. While this can be helpful, it is still essential to consult with a dentist or an oral surgeon. If you need your wisdom 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 expect from the dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great dentist near you in Akiak, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The third molars or wisdom teeth are located in the back of your mouth, and there is one on each quadrant. They usually appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because wisdom teeth come in later than the rest of your teeth, their arrival can cause complications with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd angles, only partially come in, or overcrowd your existing teeth. When this occurs, they are probably going to be affected by harmful bacteria. If any of these situations happen, it can be very painful and can damage your existing teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth coming in, it is important to see a Akiak dentist or oral surgeon quickly.

If you need wisdom tooth extraction, your oral healthcare professional will determine how they will go about the removal to make sure 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 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 anesthesia option, so you will not feel discomfort. Your dentist will extract your teeth and pay attention to your needs 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 Akiak dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can adeptly extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or cracking when you open your mouth? Do you have aching jaw and facial pain? If so, this could be related to two common jaw joint issues. Around twenty-five million people in the United States suffer from TMJ disorder or bruxism. Without treatment, these could not only lead to painful symptoms, but actually damage the teeth too! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dental professional in Akiak, AK who accepts 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 opening and closing the mouth fully. Common symptoms include pain in the jaw, head, face, and neck. Bruxism means you often grind your teeth or clench your jaw. The pressure of clenching could cause jaw pain and headaches. Teeth grinding could also weaken and damage the tooth structure. This damage could lead to cavities, 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 persistent pain in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dentist in Akiak who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Treatment options often vary; for some, relief is possible following dental bonding, which improves bite balance. For others, treating misalignment with aligners or braces could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option most dentists offer is an oral appliance, which fits like a nightguard. If you need to find treatment from a Akiak dentist. then contact our team!