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Oral health declines 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 structure in the jaw. This weakens the jaw, and could even cause a prematurely aged appearance. 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 help you schedule an appointment with a great Kotzebue dentist 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!

Bone grafting is also known as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to rebuild jawbone structure in your gums. Your dentist could employ new tissue from multiple sources. Tissue could be taken from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials such as freeze-dried bovine bone particles could also be used. Others recommend synthetic materials. During 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, allowing long-lasting tooth replacement. Our team can connect you to a dentist or oral surgeon in Kotzebue, AK who performs jawbone grafting, and also let you know about our dental discount 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 caries and infections. Soon, there is a risk of not only tooth loss, 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 an extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you book an online appointment with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist in Kotzebue, AK who can offer a gentle tooth removal as needed.

As we discussed earlier, advanced decay 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 return 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 a full prosthetic. Your Kotzebue dentist could use the procedure to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance of your smile.

Now that you understand when a tooth may need to be taken out, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in the Kotzebue, AK area. But if you don’t have dental insurance, 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 reduce the cost of care by up to ninety percent!

Tooth loss could lead to major issues for your smile. For example, this could impact your meal options, or how clearly you can articulate. But the most severe complication is the break down of structure in the jaw. The body suspends the flow of calcium, phosphate, and other minerals 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 your missing teeth. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Kotzebue, AK who can strengthen your smile.

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 upper arch? Instead of a grafting procedure, your Kotzebue dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, 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 prevent further breakdowns. Your new teeth can then stay in place for years, 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 Kotzebue, 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 complete 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 fee, you can have treatments discounted by as much as 90% in some situations. A full smile can happen!

According to the research by the Centers for Disease Control, over half of the population older than 30 suffer from gum disease. Without treatment, this disease 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 Kotzebue dentist 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, we all benefit from routine dental care!

How does the disease start? The disease could occur due to improper brushing and flossing. Others could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to tobacco use, inflammatory illness, certain medications, or even a family history of the disease. As discussed above, tell-tell signs include changes to your gingival tissues including soreness and bleeding. By seeing a dentist in Kotzebue, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like gum grafting to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatments could be accepted by insurance plans.

If you experience these warning signs, or if you simply have not been to a dentist since the pandemic started, you should book an online appointment. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Kotzebue who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. A healthy and whole smile is always an option, and we can help connect you to your new dentist!

You probably know a lot of people who have had their wisdom teeth pulled and are eager to divulge their experience to you. While this can be helpful, it is still necessary to consult with a dentist or an oral surgeon. If you need your wisdom teeth removed, it is best to have a plethora of information at your disposal. This will help you understand what to expect from the procedure and what you should look for in a dentist. Luckily, Doctors Network can help you connect with a great oral surgeon near you in Kotzebue, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The third molars or wisdom teeth are in the back of your mouth, and there is one on each quadrant. They most commonly appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because wisdom teeth come in later than the rest of your teeth, their appearance can cause complications with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd angles, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your already-established teeth. When this happens, they are more susceptible to abscess and infections. If any of these situations happen, it can be very painful and can damage your dentition. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth, it is important to see a Kotzebue dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible.

If you do need wisdom tooth removal, your dentist will determine how they will go about the procedure to ensure everything goes according to the plan. They will determine 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 vital anatomy such as nerves. 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 experience 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 be provided with post-operative instructions. Fortunately, there are many Kotzebue dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can adeptly remove your wisdom teeth.

Have you experienced popping or cracking when you open your mouth? Do you have aching jaw and facial pain? If so, this could be related to a common but serious oral health issue. 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 damage the teeth too! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can help you find a dentist in Kotzebue, 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 grind or clench your teeth nightly. The pressure could cause 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 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 dentist in Kotzebue 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 misalignment with Invisalign could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option offered by most dental professionals is an oral appliance, which fits like a mouthguard. If you need to find treatment from a Kotzebue dentist. then contact our team!