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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 speaking clearly could be a problem. However, the major problem is the loss of structure in the jaw. This weakens the jaw, and could even cause an older 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 help you schedule an appointment with a local Aleknagik dentist who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and provides jawbone grafting. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make dental care affordable!

Bone grafting is also known as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to restore the lost structure in your mandible. Your dentist could use various sources. Tissue could be taken from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials such as freeze-dried 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 lower jaw.

Once the area heals, biocompatible 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, protecting facial structure. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Aleknagik, AK who performs ridge augmentation and dental implants, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your care fits your budget!

When you have a toothache, or a tooth that is broken or cracked, you need treatment. Otherwise, the tooth could develop caries and infections. Soon, there is a risk of not only a lost tooth, but a spread of infection to other teeth. But sometimes, the cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a tooth filling or a root canal. Instead, the tooth could require immediate extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you book an online appointment with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist or oral surgeon in Aleknagik, AK who can offer 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 gum disease. Taking out a tooth could restore overall balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for orthodontic treatment! In many cases, this could prevent the negative impact of wisdom tooth eruption. 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 Aleknagik general dentist could use this to improve the function, health, and even the beauty of your smile.

Now that you understand when and 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 Aleknagik, 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 small fee each month. For some, this could cut 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 talk. But the most serious complication is the loss of mass and density in the jaw. The body decreases the flow of phosphate and calcium to the areas without teeth, which in turn causes bone loss and the loss of youthful facial structure and weakens the jaw 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 Aleknagik, AK who can shore up your jaw.

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 upper arch? Instead of grafting, your Aleknagik dentist could perform a sinus lift. Essentially, the dentist will push up the sinus floor to induce the formation of new tissues. 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 last for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened jawbone to support one or more dental implants, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Aleknagik, 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 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 monthly membership plan. With our Direct Dental Plan, you can have treatments discounted by as much as 90% in some situations. A full smile is possible again!

According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control, over half of adults older than 30 suffer from periodontal disease. Without treatment, this condition could lead to painful symptoms, including red and bleeding gums. The advanced stage, also known as periodontitis, could also cause the loss of your teeth. This is why care from a Aleknagik dental specialist 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, your smile is important!

How does the poor gum health come about? The disease could occur due to improper brushing and flossing. Others could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to certain medications, inflammatory illness, tobacco use, or even a family history of the disease. As discussed above, tell-tell signs include red, sore, and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Aleknagik, AK you can receive gum treatments like scaling and root planing to bring relief and improve your oral health. These options could be covered by insurance plans.

If you recognize these symptoms, 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 Aleknagik who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. Good oral health is always possible, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom teeth extracted and are eager to divulge their experiences to you. While this can be helpful, it is still crucial to consult with a oral surgeon. If you need your wisdom teeth pulled, it is best to have a wide range of information at your disposal. This will help you understand what to expect from wisdom teeth extraction and what you should look for in a dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great oral surgeon near you in Aleknagik, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The third molars or wisdom teeth are in the back of your mouth, and there are two on the top and two on the bottom. They usually 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 unusual angles, only partially come in, or overcrowd your current teeth. When this occurs, they are probably going to be affected by harmful bacteria. If any of these situations happen, it can be very uncomfortable and can affect your existing teeth. If you think you might have complications with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Aleknagik oral surgeon quickly.

If you need wisdom tooth removal, your dentist will determine how they will go about the procedure to ensure everything goes smoothly. They will decide which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it could get. They will also assess the appropriate type of anesthesia and the condition of your existing teeth. 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 sedation, so you will not feel any pain. Your dentist will extract your teeth and monitor you the entire time to make sure you are doing well. Once your wisdom teeth are pulled, you will get post-operative instructions. Fortunately, there are many Aleknagik 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 frequent headaches or jaw pain? If so, this could be related to a common but serious oral health issue. Around 25 million people in the United States suffer from chronic bruxism and TMJ dysfunction. Without treatment, these could not just cause jaw pain, but actually wear down outer tooth structure! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dentist in Aleknagik, 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 the temporomandibular joints become strained. This could cause problems when you eat or speak. Common symptoms include pain in the head and neck. Bruxism means you grind or clench your teeth nightly. The pressure could cause headaches and jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also fracture or break your teeth. This damage could lead to cavities, infection, and more. Both disorders could be caused by issues that upset bite balance, and untreated TMJ disorder could mean eventual teeth grinding, and vice-versa. When you have chronic pain in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dentist in Aleknagik who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

There are, however, multiple treatment options available; for some, relief is possible following dental bonding, which improves bite balance. For others, treating misalignment with orthodontic treatment could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option offered by most dentists is a custom splint, which fits like a nightguard. If you need to find treatment from a Aleknagik dentist. then contact our team!