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.

Major problems arise 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 limits dental implant placement. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to make tooth replacement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could link you to a great Gateway oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and performs jawbone grafting. 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 gums. 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 could be employed as well. 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 allow them to bond with the jaw. 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 Gateway, AK who offers ridge augmentation, and also let you know about our membership 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 teeth. But sometimes, the cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a restoration. Instead, the tooth could require an extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you book an online appointment with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist in Gateway, AK who can provide a gentle tooth removal as needed.

As we discussed earlier, severe 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 return 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 smile beauty. For people with advanced tooth loss, removing the last few teeth essentially paves the way for full or partial dentures. Your Gateway dentist could use the extraction to improve the function, health, and even the beauty of your smile.

Now that you understand why and when a tooth may need to be taken out, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find your dentist in the Gateway, 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 cut the cost of care by up to 90%!

Tooth loss could lead to several problems for your smile. For example, this could impact your meal options, or how clearly you can articulate. But the most serious complication is the loss of integrity in the jaw. The body suspends the flow of phosphate and calcium to the areas without roots, which in turn causes bone loss and an aged 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 Gateway, AK who can shore up your jaw.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, a bone grafting procedure helps strengthen the mandible, so it can support dental implants. But what about the the upper area? Instead of grafting, your Gateway dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will push up the sinus floor to generate new support structure. The new structure can support your new implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to keep your jaw secure. Your new teeth can then stay firm for decades, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened jawbone to support new teeth, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Gateway, AK dental professional 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 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 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, known as periodontitis, could also cause the loss of your teeth. This is why care from a Gateway dental professional is necessary when you begin to exhibit the common warning signs. 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 disease start? The disease could occur due to poor oral hygiene habits. Others could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to certain medications, tobacco use, inflammation, or even gum disease in other family members. As discussed above, warning signs include sore, red, and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Gateway, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like gum grafting to bring relief and improve your oral health. These options could be covered or partially covered with insurance plans.

If you feel concerned, or if you simply have not been to a dentist in recent months, you should schedule a visit. At Doctors Network, we can find the right dentists in Gateway who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. A healthy and whole smile is always an option, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably have lots of friends who have had their wisdom teeth pulled and are eager to describe their story to you. While this can be helpful, it is still necessary to consult with a oral surgeon. If you need these teeth removed, it is best to have lots 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 Gateway, 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 most commonly appear between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five. Because wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth, 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 probably going to be affected by bacteria and infections. If any of these situations happen, it can be very painful and can affect your existing teeth. If you think you might have issues with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Gateway oral surgeon or dentist as soon as possible.

If you do need wisdom tooth removal, your oral healthcare professional will determine how they will go about the removal to ensure everything goes without complications. They will determine 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 these details, 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 experience pain. Your dentist will extract your teeth and look after you the entire time to make sure you are ok. Once your wisdom teeth are removed, you will get post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Gateway dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can effectively pull your wisdom teeth.

Did you ever notice 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 TMD and teeth grinding. Without treatment, these could not just cause jaw pain, but actually damage the teeth too! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can help you find a dental office in Gateway, AK who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

While very different from one another, we often find these are related. TMJ disorder develops when the the temporomandibular joints become strained. 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 of clenching could cause headaches and 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 cause bruxism, and vice-versa. When you have frequent discomfort in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dentist in Gateway who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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