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A lot happens to our smile 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 break down of 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 tooth replacement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could link you to a local St. George dentist who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and performs this care. In addition, we could also discuss our membership plan to make dental care affordable!

Ridge preservation is also referred to 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 such as bovine bone particles could also be used. Some opt for synthetic materials. During oral surgery, 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 accept them as natural roots. As a result, they help prevent any further breakdown in the jaw, preserving your smile. Our team can connect you to a dentist in St. George, AK who performs ridge augmentation and dental implants, and also let you know about our membership plan to make sure your treatment fits in your budget!

When you have a toothache, or a tooth that is injured, you need dental care. Otherwise, the tooth could develop cavities 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 cavity is beyond the stage to be treated with a tooth filling or a root canal. Instead, the tooth could require immediate extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you book a visit with a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist in St. George, AK who can provide a effective 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. Extracting a tooth could improve bite balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for correcting misalignment! In many cases, this could prevent the negative impact of wisdom tooth eruption. 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 St. George general dentist could use the extraction 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 St. George, AK area. But if you don’t have dental insurance, 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 low monthly cost. For some, this could cut the cost of 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 talk. But the most serious complication is the loss of integrity in the jaw. The body decreases the flow of phosphate and calcium to the areas without teeth, which in turn causes bone loss and the loss of youthful facial structure 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 St. George, AK who can strengthen your smile.

As 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 grafting, your St. George dentist could perform a sinus lift. Essentially, the dentist will raise the sinus floor to induce the formation of new tissues. 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 then stay firm for decades, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened maxillary jawbone to support one or more dental implants, we could help. Our team can connect you with a St. George, 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 complete 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 financing option. 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 studies by the CDC, over half of the population older than the age of thirty suffer from gingival disease. Without intervention, this disease could lead to painful symptoms, including red and bleeding gums. The advanced stage, also known as periodontitis, could also cause tooth loss. This is why care from a St. George dental professional is necessary when you begin to notice red, sore, and bleeding gums. We can help by connecting you to one that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield. After all, your smile needs regular attention!

How does the poor gum health come about? The changes to your gum tissue could occur due to poor oral hygiene habits. Others could develop it due to lack of dental cleaning visits, or due to inflammatory illness, certain medications, tobacco use, or even gum disease in other family members. As discussed above, tell-tell signs include sore, red, and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in St. George, AK you can receive gum treatments like pocket reduction surgery 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 since the pandemic started, you should schedule a visit. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in St. George who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. Strong periodontal health is always possible, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom tooth extracted and are eager to tell their story to you. While this can be helpful, it is still crucial to consult with a professional. If you need these teeth pulled, it is best to have lots 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 St. George, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The third molars are located 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 wisdom teeth come in later than the rest of your teeth, their arrival can cause complications with your existing ones. They can erupt at unusual directions, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your existing teeth. When this occurs, they are more susceptible to bacteria and infections. If any of these conditions take place, it can be very painful and can affect your existing teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth coming in, it is important to see a St. George oral surgeon or dentist quickly.

If you need wisdom tooth extraction, your doctor will determine how they will go about the removal to make sure everything goes smoothly. 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 sedation and the position of your existing teeth. Once they ascertain this information, they can plan your wisdom teeth extraction 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 pulled, you will receive post-operative instructions. Fortunately, there are many St. George dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can adeptly extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or crackling sound in the jaw? Do you have frequent headaches or jaw pain? If so, this could be related to widespread jaw joint disorders. Around 25 million people in the United States suffer from chronic bruxism and TMJ dysfunction. Without treatment, these could not just cause jaw pain, but actually wear down outer tooth structure! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can find the right dentist in St. George, AK who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

While very different from one another, we often find these are related. TMJ disorder develops when the jaw joints undergo excessive strain. This could cause problems with jaw function. 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 headaches and jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also weaken and damage the tooth structure. 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 mean eventual teeth grinding, 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 St. George 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 braces could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option most dentists offer is an oral appliance, which fits like a mouthguard. If you need to find treatment from a St. George dentist. then contact our team!