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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 an older appearance. More importantly, this prevents dental implant placement. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to make tooth replacement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you book an online appointment with a great Gulkana dentist who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and offers jawbone grafting. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make care affordable!

Jawbone grafting is also known 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. We could take tissue from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials like bovine bone could also be used. Some opt for synthetic materials. In a surgical procedure, 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 allow them to bond with the jaw. As a result, they help prevent any further breakdown in the jaw, protecting facial structure. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Gulkana, AK who offers ridge augmentation, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your treatment fits your budget!

If you have a toothache, or a tooth that is injured, 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 areas of the jaw. But sometimes, the cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a tooth filling. Instead, the tooth could require an extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you book a visit with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist or oral surgeon in Gulkana, AK who can offer a safe tooth extraction as needed.

As we touched on above, cavities or injury could be why a tooth needs extraction. But a dentist could also remove one that is loosened by gum disease. Removing a tooth could improve bite 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 Gulkana dentist could use the extraction to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance of your smile.

Now that you understand why and when 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 Gulkana, AK area. But if you don’t have dental insurance, you may worry about costs. Fortunately, we have a financing option! Our dental membership plan is opened with an initial fee and maintained with a low monthly cost. For some, this could discount care by up to 90 percent!

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 serious complication is the loss of mass and density in the jaw. The body reduces the flow of phosphate and calcium to the areas without tooth 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 your missing teeth. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Gulkana, AK who can shore up your jaw.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, a ridge augmentation procedure helps strengthen the lower jaw, so it can support dental implants. But what about the upper jaw? Instead of grafting, your Gulkana 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 dental implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to preserve the area. Your new teeth can then stay firm for decades, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened upper jawbone to support new teeth, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Gulkana, 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 complete smile again. If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t let this stand between you and good oral health. Instead, talk to our team about our financing option. With a monthly membership fee, you can have treatments discounted by as much as 90% in some situations. A full smile is in your future!

According to the research by the CDC, over half of the population ages 30 and older suffer from gingival disease. Without intervention, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including sore gums. The advanced stage, known as periodontitis, could also cause tooth loss. This is why care from a Gulkana periodontist 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, your smile is important!

How does the poor gum health come about? The early stages of periodontitis could occur due to lack of proper brushing and flossing. Others could develop it due to severe plaque and tartar buildup, or due to inflammatory illness, certain medications, tobacco use, or even gum disease in other family members. As we touched on above, tell-tell signs include discomfort and bleeding in the gums. By seeing a dentist in Gulkana, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like pocket reduction surgery to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be covered or partially covered with insurance plans.

If you experience these warning signs, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist since the pandemic started, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can find the right dentists in Gulkana who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. Strong periodontal health is always possible, and we can help help you find the help you need!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom tooth pulled and are eager to describe their experiences to you. While this can be helpful, it is still essential to consult with a professional. If you need these teeth removed, it is best to have a plethora 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 dentist near you in Gulkana, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Wisdom teeth are 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 they come in later than the rest of your teeth, their arrival can cause issues with your existing ones. They can erupt at unusual directions, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your current teeth. When this occurs, they are more susceptible to harmful bacteria. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very uncomfortable and can harm your teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Gulkana oral surgery specialist quickly.

If you do need wisdom tooth removal, your oral healthcare professional will determine how they will go about the removal to make sure everything goes without complications. They will decide which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it will be. They will also decide the appropriate type of sedation and the state of your existing teeth. Once they ascertain this information, they can plan your treatment more easily. When you come in for the procedure, you will receive the appropriate sedation option, so you will not experience discomfort. Your dentist will extract your teeth and look after you the entire time to make sure you are doing well. Once your wisdom teeth are removed, you will receive information about the recovery period. Fortunately, there are many Gulkana 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 25 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ disorder or bruxism. Without treatment, these could not just cause jaw pain, but actually crack or chip a tooth! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can help you find a dentist in Gulkana, AK who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

While very different from one another, these two disorders are often related. 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 jaw, head, and neck. Bruxism means you suffer from nightly teeth grinding. The stress caused by grinding could cause headaches and jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also damage 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 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 Gulkana 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 dentists is a custom splint, which fits like a mouthguard. If you need to find treatment from a Gulkana dentist. then contact our team!