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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 speaking 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 leaves the smile too weak for implants. Additional treatments could be necessary to strengthen the jaw in order to prepare the gum for dental implants! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you book an online appointment with a good Sterling dentist who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and performs this care. In addition, we could also discuss our membership program to make 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 use various sources. Tissue could be taken from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials like bovine bone could also be used. Some opt for synthetic materials. Through 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 allow them to bond with the jaw. 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 in Sterling, AK who performs ridge augmentation and dental implants, and also let you know about our dental plan to make sure your care fits your budget!

When you have a toothache, or a tooth that is damaged, you need treatment. 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 tooth filling or a root canal. Instead, the tooth could require immediate removal. At Doctors Network, our team can help you find a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist in Sterling, AK who can offer a gentle 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 periodontitis. Taking out a tooth could restore overall balance and chewing function. Extraction could also provide room for orthodontic treatment! 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 Sterling dentist could use this to improve the function and health of your smile.

Now that you understand why and when a tooth may need to be taken out, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find your dentist in the Sterling, 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 low monthly cost. For some, this could reduce the cost of care by up to 90%!

Tooth loss could lead to multiple complications for your smile. For example, this could impact your meal options, or how clearly you can talk. But the most serious complication is the break down of structure in the jaw. The body decreases the flow of calcium, phosphate, and other minerals to the areas without teeth, which in turn causes bone loss and an older appearance and weakens the structure 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 Sterling, AK who can strengthen your smile.

As we’ve 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 adding new tissue, your Sterling dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will push up the sinus floor to generate 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 can then last for decades to come, 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 Sterling, AK dental professional 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 financing option. With a monthly fee, you can have treatments discounted by as much as 90% in some situations. A full smile is possible again!

According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control, over half of adults older than 30 suffer from poor periodontal health. Without treatment, this condition could lead to painful symptoms, including red and bleeding gums. The advanced stage, referred to as periodontitis, could also cause missing teeth. This is why care from a Sterling 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 disease could occur due to lack of proper brushing and flossing. Others could develop it due to infrequent dental cleanings, or due to certain medications, inflammatory illness, tobacco use, or even a family history of the disease. As we touched on above, tell-tell signs include sore and bleeding gums. By seeing a dentist in Sterling, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like gum grafting to bring relief and improve your oral health. These treatment options could be covered or partially covered with insurance plans.

If you feel concerned, or if you simply haven’t been to a dentist in the last six months, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Sterling who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. Strong periodontal health is always an option, and we can help facilitate this process!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom teeth extracted and are eager to divulge their experience to you. While this can be helpful, it is still crucial to consult with a dental professional. If you need these teeth extracted, it is important to have lots 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 dentist near you in Sterling, 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 usually appear between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five. Because they come in later than the rest of your teeth, their arrival can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd directions, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your already-established teeth. When this occurs, they are likely to succumb to harmful bacteria. If any of these situations happen, it can be very uncomfortable and can damage your existing teeth. If you think you might have issues with wisdom teeth, it is important to see a Sterling oral surgery specialist quickly.

If you do need wisdom teeth extraction, your doctor will determine how they will go about the extraction to make sure everything goes without complications. They will determine which of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how complex it will be. They will also decide the appropriate type of anesthesia and the state of your existing teeth. Once they ascertain these details, 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 doing well. Once your wisdom teeth are extracted, you will receive post-operative instructions. Fortunately, there are many Sterling dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can effectively extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or cracking when you open your mouth? Do you have frequent headaches or jaw 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 chronic bruxism and TMJ dysfunction. Without treatment, these could not only lead to painful symptoms, but actually wear down outer tooth structure! Fortunately, your friends at Doctors Network can connect you to a dentist in Sterling, 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 opening and closing the mouth fully. Common symptoms include pain in the jaw, head, face, and neck. Bruxism means you suffer from nightly teeth grinding. The stress caused by grinding could cause jaw pain and headaches. Teeth grinding could also fracture or break your teeth. This damage could lead to cavities, infection, and more. Both disorders could be caused by issues that upset bite balance, 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 dental professional in Sterling who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Treatment options often vary; for some, relief is possible following dental bonding, which improves bite balance. For others, treating malocclusion with braces could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option offered by most dental professionals is a custom splint, which fits like a night-guard. If you need to find treatment from a Sterling dentist. then contact our team!