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A lot happens to our smile when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with consuming solid foods. 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 prepare the gum for dental implants! Fortunately, Doctors Network could link you to a great Karluk oral surgeon who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and offers ridge augmentation. In addition, we could also discuss our membership program to make dental care affordable!

Bone grafting is also known as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to preserve the ridge 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. During oral surgery, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the mandible.

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 Karluk, 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 broken or cracked, 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 areas of the jaw. But sometimes, the issue is beyond the stage to be treated with a tooth filling or a root canal. 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 Karluk, 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 periodontitis. Extracting 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 Karluk general dentist could use the extraction to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance 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 Karluk, AK area. But if you don’t have a dental plan, you may worry about costs. Fortunately, we have a direct payment plan! 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 multiple complications for your smile. For example, this could impact your nutritional intake, or how clearly you can articulate. But the most severe complication is the loss of integrity in the jaw. The body suspends the flow of calcium, phosphate, and other minerals to the areas without teeth, 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 Karluk, AK who can make smiles ready for implants.

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 the upper area? Instead of adding new tissue, your Karluk 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 then stay firm for decades, 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 Karluk, 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 full smile again. If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t let this stand between you and a complete smile. 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 adults ages 30 and older suffer from gum disease. Without intervention, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including red and bleeding gums. The advanced stage, known as periodontitis, could also cause tooth loss. This is why care from a Karluk periodontist 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 poor gum health come about? The disease could occur due to poor oral hygiene habits. Some could develop it due to lack of dental cleaning visits, or due to certain medications, tobacco use, inflammation, or even gum disease in other family members. As discussed above, tell-tell signs include changes to your gingival tissues including soreness and bleeding. By seeing a dentist in Karluk, AK you can receive gum treatments like deep cleaning to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be covered by insurance plans.

If you notice these signs, 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 Karluk who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. A healthy and whole smile is always possible, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know many people 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 dentist or an oral surgeon. 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 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 Karluk, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The third molars or wisdom teeth are in the back of the 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 complications with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd directions, only partially come in, or overcrowd your current teeth. When this occurs, they are likely to succumb to bacteria and infections. If any of these situations happen, it can be very painful and can harm your existing teeth. If you think you might have complications with wisdom teeth, it is important to see a Karluk oral surgeon or dentist hastily.

If you need wisdom teeth extraction, your doctor will determine how they will go about the procedure to make certain everything goes smoothly. They will decide which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it will be. They will also assess the appropriate type of sedation and the state of your existing teeth and nerve. Once they ascertain this information, 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 feel discomfort. Your dentist will extract your teeth and monitor you the entire time to make sure you are doing well. Once your wisdom teeth are removed, you will get post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Karluk dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can effectively extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or crackling sound in the jaw? 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 only lead to painful symptoms, but actually wear down outer tooth structure! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can help you find a dental professional in Karluk, 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 opening and closing the mouth fully. Common symptoms include pain in the face, head and neck, and jaw. Bruxism means you grind or clench your teeth nightly. The pressure of clenching could cause jaw pain and headaches. Teeth grinding could also weaken and damage the tooth structure. 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 dental professional in Karluk who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

There are, however, multiple treatment options available; for some, relief is possible following recontouring, which improves bite balance. For others, treating malocclusion 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 night-guard. If you need to find treatment from a Karluk dentist. then contact our team!