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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 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 help you book an online appointment with a local Thorne Bay oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is in-network with discount dental plans and performs ridge augmentation. In addition, we could also discuss our membership program to make dental care affordable!

Jawbone grafting is also known as ridge augmentation. Essentially this enables the dentist to restore the lost structure 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 bovine bone particles could also be used. Others recommend synthetic materials. Through oral surgery, these are applied to the areas of weakened structure in the lower jaw.

Once the area heals, biocompatible 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 Thorne Bay, AK who offers this surgical procedure, 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 chipped, 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 immediate extraction. At Doctors Network, our team can help you find a great dentist in Thorne Bay, 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 gum disease. 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 appearance of your smile. For people with advanced tooth loss, removing the last few teeth essentially paves the way for a full prosthetic. Your Thorne Bay dentist could use the procedure to improve the function, health, and even the beauty of your smile.

Now that you understand why a tooth may require removal, how do you seek care for one? Well, as mentioned above Doctors Network can find your dentist in the Thorne Bay, 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 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 meal options, or how clearly you can articulate. But the most serious 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 the loss of youthful facial structure 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 Thorne Bay, AK who can make smiles ready for implants.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, a jawbone grafting procedure helps strengthen the mandible, so it can support dental implants. But what about the upper arch? Instead of grafting, your Thorne Bay dentist could perform a sinus lift. Basically, the dentist will raise the sinus floor to generate 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 jawbone to support one or more dental implants, we could help. Our team can connect you with a Thorne Bay, AK oral surgeon who can offer a sinus lift and takes uninsured patients. 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 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 the research by the CDC, over half of adults ages 30 and older suffer from periodontal 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 missing teeth. This is why care from a Thorne Bay dentist is necessary when you begin to experience sore, red, and bleeding gums. We can help by connecting you to one that accepts private patients. After all, we all benefit from routine dental care!

How does the gum disease start? The early stages of periodontitis could occur due to improper brushing and flossing. Some could develop it due to lack of dental cleaning visits, or due to tobacco use, inflammatory illness, certain medications, or even gum disease in other family members. As discussed above, warning signs include discomfort and bleeding in the gums. By seeing a dentist in Thorne Bay, AK you can receive periodontal treatments like pocket reduction surgery to bring relief and improve your oral health. These options could be at least partially covered by insurance plans.

If you notice these signs, or if you simply have not been to a dentist in the last six months, you should schedule a visit. At Doctors Network, we can connect you to dentists in Thorne Bay who accept private patients. 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 tooth 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 pulled, it is important to have lots 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 Thorne Bay, AK that accepts new patients.

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 come in later than the rest of your teeth, their appearance can cause problems with your existing ones. They can erupt at unusual angles, only partially come in, or overcrowd your current teeth. When this happens, they are likely to succumb to bacteria and infections. If any of these situations happen, 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 Thorne Bay oral surgeon hastily.

If you need wisdom teeth extraction, your dentist will determine how they will go about the extraction to make certain 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 determine the appropriate type of sedation and the condition 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, so you will not experience pain. 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 pulled, you will receive post-surgery care instructions. Fortunately, there are many Thorne Bay dentists that accept new patients and can effectively extract your wisdom teeth.

Have you ever noticed popping or cracking when you open your mouth? Do you have aching jaw and facial pain? If so, this could be related to two common jaw joint issues. Around 25 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 find the right dental office in Thorne Bay, AK who accepts private patients.

While very different from one another, we often find these are 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 head and neck. Bruxism means you clench or grind your teeth in your sleep. The pressure could cause headaches and jaw pain. 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 persistent pain in your head and neck, you should find help. We can even connect you with a dental professional in Thorne Bay who accepts private patients.

Treatment options often vary; for some, relief is possible following crown placement, which improves bite balance. For others, treating misalignment with aligners or braces could ease strain and stop symptoms. The most common option offered by most dentists is an oral splint, which fits like a night-guard. If you need to find treatment from a Thorne Bay dentist. then contact our team!