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 eating a variety of meals. 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 leaves the smile too weak for implants. 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 Edna Bay oral surgeon who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and offers ridge augmentation. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make dental care affordable!

Jawbone grafting is also known as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to restore the lost structure in your gums. Your dentist could use a number of different options. 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. Through oral surgery, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the lower jawbone.

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 Edna Bay, 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 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 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 book an online appointment with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist or oral surgeon in Edna Bay, AK who can offer a safe tooth removal as needed.

As we discussed earlier, cavities 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 correcting misalignment! 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 dentures. Your Edna Bay 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 require removal, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find a great dental practice in the Edna Bay, AK area. But if you don’t have coverage, 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 discount care by up to 90%!

Tooth loss could lead to major issues for your smile. For example, this could impact your meal options, or how clearly you can speak. But the most severe complication is the loss of mass and density in the jaw. The body decreases 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 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 Edna Bay, 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 jaw? Instead of grafting, your Edna Bay dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will push up 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 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 Edna Bay, AK oral surgeon 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 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 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 treatment, this condition could lead to painful symptoms, including bleeding gums. The advanced stage, also known as periodontitis, could also cause the loss of your teeth. This is why care from a Edna Bay dental specialist is necessary when you begin to experience sore, red, 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 gum disease start? The early stages of periodontitis could occur due to lack of proper brushing and flossing. Some could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to gingivitis, tobacco use, 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 Edna Bay, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like deep cleaning to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be at least partially 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 find the right dentists in Edna Bay who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. A healthy and whole smile is always possible, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know a lot of people who have had their wisdom teeth removed and are eager to describe 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 plethora 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 Edna Bay, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Wisdom teeth are in the back of the mouth, and there is one on each quadrant. They typically appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because wisdom teeth come in later than the rest of your teeth, their arrival can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd 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 harm your existing teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Edna Bay dentist hastily.

If you in fact need wisdom teeth extraction, your oral healthcare professional will determine how they will go about the removal to make sure everything goes according to the plan. They will determine how many of your 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 this information, 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 experience 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 pulled, you will receive post-operative instructions. Fortunately, there are many Edna Bay dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can skillfully remove your wisdom teeth.

Have you experienced popping or cracking when you open your mouth? Do you have persistent migraines? If so, this could be related to two common jaw joint issues. Around twenty-five million people in the United States suffer from chronic bruxism and TMJ dysfunction. 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 Edna Bay, AK who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

While very different from one another, these two disorders are often related. TMJ disorder develops when the joints connecting the jaw and skull are stressed. 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 stress caused by grinding 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 cause bite imbalance, 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 dentist in Edna Bay 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 offered by most dentists is an oral appliance, which fits like a nightguard. If you need to find treatment from a Edna Bay dentist. then contact our team!