If you’re over 55 and living in the St. Augustine area, your oral health needs have likely changed from what they were in your younger years. Whether you’re planning your retirement, already enjoying it, or simply want to maintain your quality of life as you age, the right oral surgery care helps you stay active, comfortable, and confident in your smile.
At St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center, we work with mature adults throughout the greater St. Augustine area, including St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, and surrounding communities. Our approach focuses on helping you maintain the lifestyle you’ve worked hard to build, with solutions that address the unique concerns adults face as they age.
Why Oral Health Matters More After 55
Your oral health directly affects your overall wellbeing, and this connection becomes more important with age. Missing or failing teeth can limit your food choices, affecting nutrition and making it harder to enjoy meals with family and friends. Dental problems can also lead to chronic pain, difficulty speaking clearly, and reduced confidence in social situations.
Many adults over 55 face dental implant decisions for the first time. Common situations include:
- Living with a partial denture for years and wanting something more stable that doesn’t slip during meals or conversation.
- Dealing with teeth that are failing after decades of service and need to be replaced.
- Experiencing bone loss and wondering what options remain available.
- Planning retirement and wanting to address dental issues before they become more complex or expensive.
- Maintaining an active lifestyle that includes travel, dining out, and social activities without worrying about dentures.
According to the American College of Prosthodontics, about 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth, with the vast majority being adults over 55. The good news is that modern oral surgery offers effective solutions that can restore function and appearance.
Comprehensive Services Designed for Active Adults
The treatments we provide address the specific needs of mature adults who want to maintain their independence and quality of life.
Dental Implants for Long-Term Stability
Dental implants offer the most permanent solution for missing teeth. Unlike dentures that need replacement every five to eight years, implants can last 20 years or longer with proper care. For adults on a fixed income or planning retirement budgets, this longevity makes implants a practical long-term investment. Single implants can replace individual missing teeth without affecting your healthy teeth. Full arch replacement provides a complete upper or lower set of teeth using just four to six implants per arch. This approach often works well for adults who want to replace failing teeth all at once rather than dealing with multiple procedures over time.
If you’re traveling frequently, whether for leisure or to visit family, implants eliminate the inconvenience of denture care. You brush and care for them like natural teeth, with no removal, no adhesives, and no dietary restrictions.
Bone Grafting for Implant Success
Many adults over 55 have experienced some degree of bone loss in their jaw, particularly if they’ve been missing teeth for several years. Bone grafting rebuilds this lost structure, creating a solid foundation for dental implants.
The procedure involves placing bone material at the site where implants will be positioned. Over several months, your body integrates this material with your existing bone, creating the density and volume needed to support implants successfully. For upper teeth, a sinus lift may be needed to add bone in the area below your sinuses. While this adds time to your overall treatment, addressing bone loss now prevents more extensive problems later. The longer you wait, the more bone you lose, which can eventually affect your facial structure and make implant placement more complex.
Wisdom Teeth and Extractions
Wisdom teeth issues don’t only affect young adults. Many people reach their 50s and 60s with wisdom teeth that never caused problems until now. These teeth can develop decay, infection, or start pushing against adjacent teeth as your mouth changes with age.
We also perform extractions for teeth that cannot be saved due to decay, fracture, or advanced gum disease. When extraction is necessary, we can often place an implant immediately, reducing your total treatment time and preserving bone in the extraction site.
Comfortable Treatment with IV Sedation
Many mature adults appreciate that we perform procedures under IV sedation for comfort. This approach allows you to rest comfortably during surgery without anxiety or discomfort. You won’t remember the procedure, and you’ll wake feeling relaxed. Our team includes a registered APRN and certified surgical assistants who monitor you throughout your treatment.
For patients managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, IV sedation allows us to provide careful, controlled care while monitoring your vital signs continuously. We coordinate with your primary care physician as needed to ensure your safety.
Planning for Treatment on Your Schedule
We work with you to schedule treatments around your life, whether that means coordinating with travel plans, family visits, or seasonal preferences. Many of our mature patients prefer scheduling major procedures during cooler months when they’re less active outdoors, or timing treatments to avoid conflicts with grandchildren visits or planned trips.
Financial planning matters, too. We make treatment accessible through several options:
- We work with most PPO dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Humana, and Cigna.
- Our team helps you understand your coverage and files claims on your behalf to simplify the process.
- We offer financing through CareCredit, allowing you to spread costs over time with payment plans that fit fixed incomes and retirement budgets.
- We provide clear, upfront cost estimates so you can make informed decisions without surprises.
The cost of dental implants varies based on your specific needs. When you consider that implants can last decades while dentures need regular replacement, the long-term value often makes implants more economical.
What to Expect from Your Visit
Your first visit includes a comprehensive examination and consultation with Dr. Johnson. We’ll take detailed images of your mouth and jaw, discuss your concerns and goals, and explain your treatment options clearly. You’ll leave with a written treatment plan, cost estimates, and time to ask questions and think about your decision.
Our St. Augustine facility is AAAHC-accredited, meeting the highest standards for safety and quality in surgical care. The accreditation process involves rigorous evaluation of our equipment, procedures, staff training, and patient care protocols. This certification gives you confidence that you’re receiving care at a facility that prioritizes your safety and comfort.
Making the Right Choice for Your Future With St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center
Your oral health affects how you eat, speak, and engage with others. It influences your nutrition, your confidence, and your comfort. Addressing dental problems now, while you’re healthy and active, gives you the best outcomes and the most treatment options. Waiting often means dealing with more extensive bone loss, more complex procedures, and potentially fewer options. Douglas L. Johnson, D.M.D., is a Board Certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who completed his training at the University of Florida and a prestigious cosmetic and reconstructive fellowship. He brings extensive experience helping mature adults restore their oral health and maintain active lifestyles.
Whether you’re dealing with failing teeth, considering implants, or simply want to understand your options, we’re here to help. Dr. Johnson and our team at St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center take time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and develop treatment plans that align with your goals and lifestyle. Our AAAHC-accredited facility meets the highest standards for safety and quality, and our team of certified surgical assistants and registered APRN ensures you receive careful, professional care. Schedule a consultation and discover how we can help you maintain the quality of life you’ve worked hard to build.
