Search for a doctor or a procedure based on your insurance. If you do not have insurance, select a doctor who offers a savings plan.

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 break down of density in the jaw. This weakens the jaw, and could even cause a prematurely aged appearance. More importantly, this leaves the smile too weak for implants. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to make tooth replacement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could link you to a good Alakanuk oral surgeon who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and performs ridge augmentation. In addition, we could also discuss our membership program to make dental care affordable!

Bone grafting is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to restore the lost 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 such as bovine bone particles may be recommended too. We could also 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 accept them as natural roots. 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 or oral surgeon in Alakanuk, AK who offers ridge augmentation, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your treatment fits in your budget!

If you have a toothache, or a tooth that is chipped, you need treatment. 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 book an online appointment with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist in Alakanuk, AK who can offer a gentle 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 gum disease. Taking out a tooth could improve bite balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for orthodontic treatment! In many cases, this could prevent complications from wisdom teeth. 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 full or partial dentures. Your Alakanuk general dentist could use the procedure to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance of your smile.

Now that you understand when a tooth may need to be taken out, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find a great dental practice in the Alakanuk, AK area. But if you don’t have dental insurance, you may worry about the cost. 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 reduce the cost of care by up to 90%!

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 decreases the flow of phosphate and calcium to the areas without 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 gaps in your smile. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Alakanuk, AK who can make smiles ready for implants.

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 arch? Instead of grafting, your Alakanuk dentist could perform a sinus lift. Essentially, the dentist will raise the sinus floor to induce the formation of new support structure. The new structure can support one or more implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to keep your jaw secure. Your new teeth then stay in place for years, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened upper jawbone to support one or more dental implants, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Alakanuk, AK dental professional who can offer a sinus lift and takes Blue Cross Blue Shield. When your smile is strengthened and ready, dental implants could provide a complete smile again. If you don’t have 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 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 CDC, over half of adults 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 the loss of your teeth. This is why care from a Alakanuk dentist is necessary when you begin to notice sore and bleeding 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 improper brushing and flossing. Others could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to inflammatory illness, certain medications, tobacco use, or even a family history of the disease. As discussed above, tell-tell signs include changes to your gingival tissues including soreness and bleeding. By seeing a dentist in Alakanuk, AK you can receive gum treatments like gum grafting to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be accepted by insurance plans.

If you experience these warning signs, or if you simply have not been to a dentist since the pandemic started, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can find the right dentists in Alakanuk 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 a lot of people who have had their wisdom tooth extracted and are eager to tell their experience to you. While this can be helpful, it is still crucial to consult with a dental professional. If you need these teeth extracted, it is best to have lots of information at your disposal. This will help you understand what to expect from wisdom teeth removal and what you should look for in a dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great oral surgeon near you in Alakanuk, AK that accepts 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 wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, their presence can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd directions, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your already-established teeth. When this happens, they are more susceptible to harmful bacteria. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very painful and can damage your existing teeth. If you think you might have issues with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Alakanuk dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible.

If you do need wisdom teeth extraction, your dentist will determine how they will go about the removal to make certain everything goes smoothly. They will decide which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it could get. They will also determine the appropriate type of sedation and the state of your existing vital anatomy such as nerves. Once they ascertain these facts, they can extract your wisdom teeth more easily. When you come in for the procedure, you will receive the appropriate sedation option, so you will not feel any pain. 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 extracted, you will be provided with post-operative instructions. Fortunately, there are many Alakanuk dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can skillfully 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 widespread jaw joint disorders. Around twenty-five million people in the United States suffer from chronic bruxism and TMJ dysfunction. 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 professional in Alakanuk, AK who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

While very different from one another, we often find these are related. TMJ disorder develops when the joints connecting the jaw and skull are stressed. This could cause problems opening and closing the mouth fully. Common symptoms include pain in the face, head and neck, and jaw. Bruxism means you clench or grind your teeth in your sleep. The pressure could cause headaches and jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also fracture or break your 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 cause 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 Alakanuk 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 Invisalign could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option offered by most dental professionals is an oral splint, which fits like a mouthguard. If you need to find treatment from a Alakanuk dentist. then contact our team!