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A lot happens to our smile when we lose natural teeth. Obviously, there are problems with eating your favorite 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 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 make dental implant placement possible! Fortunately, Doctors Network could help you schedule an appointment with a great Tok oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and performs this care. In addition, we could also discuss our payment plans to make care affordable!

Ridge preservation is also referred to as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to rebuild jawbone structure in your mandible. Your dentist could use various sources. We could take tissue from the back of the jaw or the hip. Donor materials such as bovine bone particles may be recommended too. Others 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 accept them as natural roots. As a result, they help prevent any further breakdown in the jaw, protecting facial structure. Our team can connect you to a dentist or oral surgeon in Tok, AK who offers ridge augmentation, and also let you know about our dental 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 tooth loss, 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 Tok, AK who can provide a safe tooth extraction as needed.

As we touched on above, severe cavities or injury could be why a tooth needs extraction. But a dentist could also remove one that is loosened by periodontal disease. Extracting a tooth could restore overall 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 overall esthetics. For people with advanced tooth loss, removing the last few teeth essentially paves the way for a full prosthetic. Your Tok dentist could use the extraction to improve the health, function, and surprisingly, sometimes the appearance of your smile.

Now that you understand when a tooth may require removal, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find your dentist in the Tok, AK area. But if you don’t have coverage, 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 monthly fee. For some, this could discount care by up to 90 percent!

Tooth loss could lead to multiple complications for your smile. For example, this could impact how easily you eat your favorite foods, or how clearly you can articulate. But the most severe complication is the break down of structure 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 gaps in your smile. But Doctors Network can connect you with a dentist in Tok, AK who can strengthen your smile.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, a jawbone grafting procedure helps strengthen the lower jaw, so it can support dental implants. But what about the the upper area? Instead of a grafting procedure, your Tok 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 one or more implants. Once the new teeth are secured, this stimulates the growth of bone tissue to prevent further breakdowns. Your new teeth can then stay firm for decades, possibly even a lifetime.

If you need to strengthen your weakened upper jawbone to support one or more dental implants, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Tok, AK oral surgeon who can offer a sinus lift and takes Blue Cross Blue Shield. When your smile is strengthened and ready, dental implants could provide a whole 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 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 in your future!

According to the research by the Centers for Disease Control, 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 Tok dental professional is necessary when you begin to notice sore and bleeding gums. We can help by connecting you to one that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield. After all, your smile is important!

How does the gum disease start? The changes to your gum tissue could occur due to poor oral hygiene habits. Some could develop it due to lack of dental cleaning visits, or due to tobacco use, certain medications, gingivitis, or even gum disease in other family members. As discussed above, tell-tell signs include discomfort and bleeding in the gums. By seeing a dentist in Tok, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like deep cleaning 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 in recent months, you should book an appointment. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Tok who accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. A healthy and whole smile is always an option, and we can help help you find the help you need!

You probably know many people who have had their wisdom teeth pulled and are eager to describe their experience 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 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 Tok, AK that accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The third molars are located in the back of the mouth, and there are two on the top and two on the bottom. They usually appear between seventeen and twenty-five. Because wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, their appearance can cause complications with your existing ones. They can erupt at odd angles, only partially erupt, or overcrowd your current teeth. When this happens, they are probably going to be affected by harmful bacteria. If any of these situations happen, it can be very painful and can harm your teeth. If you think you might have impediments with wisdom teeth coming in, it is important to see a Tok oral surgeon or dentist as soon as possible.

If you do need wisdom tooth extraction, your oral healthcare professional 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 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 anesthesia option, so you will not feel discomfort. Your dentist will extract your teeth and pay attention to your needs the entire time to make sure you are doing well. Once your wisdom teeth are removed, you will get information about the recovery period. Fortunately, there are many Tok dentists that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and can effectively extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed a popping sensation in your 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 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 office in Tok, 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 when you eat or speak. Common symptoms include pain in the jaw, head, face, and neck. Bruxism means you suffer from nightly teeth grinding. The pressure of clenching could cause jaw pain. Teeth grinding could also weaken and damage the tooth structure. This damage could lead to cavities, 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 chronic pain in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dental professional in Tok who accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Treatment options often vary; for some, relief is possible following recontouring, which improves bite balance. For others, treating misalignment with Invisalign could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option offered by most dentists is an oral splint, which fits like a nightguard. If you need to find treatment from a Tok dentist. then contact our team!