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Major problems arise 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 loss of mass and density in the jaw. This weakens the jaw, and could even cause patients to look older. More importantly, this leaves the smile too weak for implants. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to make dental implant placement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you schedule an appointment with a great Homer oral surgeon who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and offers this care. In addition, we could also discuss our membership program to make dental care affordable!

Jawbone grafting is also known as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to rebuild jawbone structure in your gums. Your dentist could use a number of different options. Tissue could be taken from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials like bovine bone could also be used. We could also recommend synthetic materials. In a surgical procedure, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the mandibular bone.

Once the area heals, the 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, preserving your smile. Our team can connect you to a dentist in Homer, AK who performs jawbone grafting, and also let you know about our membership 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 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 damage or 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 connect with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist in Homer, AK who can provide a gentle tooth removal 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 periodontal 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 appearance of your smile. For people with advanced tooth loss, removing the last few teeth essentially paves the way for full or partial dentures. Your Homer dentist could use the procedure to improve the function and health of your smile.

Now that you understand why and when a tooth may need an extraction, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find a general dentist in the Homer, AK area. But if you don’t have a dental plan, 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 discount care by up to 90 percent!

Tooth loss could lead to several problems for your smile. For example, this could impact your nutritional intake, or how clearly you can talk. But the most serious complication is the loss of integrity in the jaw. The body decreases the flow of calcium and phosphate to the areas without tooth roots, which in turn causes bone loss and an aged appearance and weakens the structure 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 Homer, AK who can strengthen your smile.

As discussed in previous posts, a bone grafting procedure helps strengthen the lower jaw, so it can support dental implants. But what about the upper jaw? Instead of a grafting procedure, your Homer dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will push up 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 keep your jaw secure. Your new teeth can then stay in place for years, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened maxillary jawbone to support new teeth, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Homer, AK dentist who can provide these services and takes Blue Cross Blue Shield. When your smile is strengthened and ready, dental implants could provide a full 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 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 adults ages 30 and older suffer from gum disease. Without treatment, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including sore gums. The advanced stage, known as periodontitis, could also cause adult tooth loss. This is why care from a Homer dentist 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, we all benefit from routine dental care!

How does the disease start? The early stages of periodontitis could occur due to lack of proper brushing and flossing. Others could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to gingivitis, tobacco use, certain medications, or even a family history of the disease. As we touched on above, warning signs include changes to your gingival tissues including soreness and bleeding. By seeing a dentist in Homer, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like scaling and root planing to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatment options could be covered or partially covered with insurance plans.

If you recognize these symptoms, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist in the last six months, you should schedule a visit. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Homer who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. Good oral health is always an option, and we can help help you find the help you need!

You probably have lots of friends who have had their wisdom tooth extracted and are eager to describe their story to you. While this can be helpful, it is still crucial to consult with a professional. If you need your wisdom teeth removed, it is important to have a plethora of information at your disposal. This will help you understand what to expect from the procedure and what you should expect from the dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great oral surgeon near you in Homer, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Wisdom teeth are in the back of your mouth, and there is one on each quadrant. They typically appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because they come in later than the rest of your teeth, their presence can cause issues with your existing ones. They can erupt at unusual directions, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your existing teeth. When this occurs, they are likely to succumb to bacteria and infections. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very painful and can harm your teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth eruption, it is important to see a Homer oral surgeon or dentist as soon as possible.

If you in fact need wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will determine how they will go about the extraction to ensure everything goes according to the plan. They will determine which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it could get. They will also decide the appropriate type of sedation and the condition 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 experience any 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 receive post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Homer dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can skillfully pull your wisdom teeth.

Did you ever notice popping or crackling sound in the jaw? Do you have frequent headaches or jaw pain? 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 cause pain, but actually crack or chip a tooth! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can help you find a dental professional in Homer, AK who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

While very different from one another, these two disorders are often related. TMJ disorder develops when the jaw joints undergo excessive strain. This could cause problems opening and closing the mouth fully. Common symptoms include pain in the head and neck. Bruxism means you suffer from nightly teeth grinding. The stress caused by grinding could cause 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 persistent pain in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dental professional in Homer who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Treatment options often vary; for some, relief is possible following crown placement, which improves bite balance. For others, treating malocclusion with braces could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option most dentists offer is an oral appliance, which fits like a night-guard. If you need to find treatment from a Homer dentist. then contact our team!