Bone Grafting in St. Augustine, FL

Rebuilding your foundation for a stronger, healthier smile with advanced reconstruction techniques

Don't let bone loss limit your treatment options. Discover how bone grafting can create new possibilities for restoring your smile and oral health.

What Is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is a specialized surgical procedure that rebuilds or replaces lost bone tissue in the jaw. This regenerative technique uses bone material—either from your own body, processed donor bone, or synthetic substitutes—to stimulate new bone growth in areas where volume has been lost due to tooth extraction, periodontal disease, facial trauma, or congenital conditions.

The grafted material serves as a scaffold that supports the body’s natural bone regeneration process. Over time, this scaffold is gradually replaced by your own new bone tissue, creating a strong, stable foundation for dental implants or improving the appearance and function of your jaw. This remarkable biological process essentially allows us to reverse bone loss that was once considered permanent.

As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Johnson has extensive training and experience in various bone grafting techniques, from simple socket preservation following tooth extraction to complex jaw reconstruction. His specialized expertise ensures that each procedure is tailored to your specific needs, using the most appropriate materials and techniques to achieve optimal results.

Our Bone Grafting Services

Socket Preservation

When a tooth is extracted, the surrounding bone naturally begins to resorb or shrink, often resulting in 30-60% bone loss within the first year. Socket preservation involves placing bone grafting material directly into the extraction site immediately after tooth removal. This simple but effective procedure maintains the shape and volume of your jawbone, preserving the site for future implant placement and preventing the collapsed appearance that often follows tooth loss.

Ridge Augmentation

For areas where significant bone loss has already occurred, ridge augmentation rebuilds the height and width of your jawbone. Using specialized bone grafting materials and sometimes reinforced with titanium mesh or membranes, this procedure restores the natural contour of your jaw. Ridge augmentation is often essential for creating sufficient bone volume to support dental implants in areas of extensive bone loss, ensuring proper implant positioning for both functional and aesthetic results.

Sinus Lift Procedure

When upper back teeth are lost, the maxillary sinus can expand downward, leaving insufficient bone for implant placement. The sinus lift procedure gently elevates the sinus membrane and adds bone grafting material between the sinus and jawbone. This specialized technique creates adequate bone height in the upper jaw for successful implant placement, solving one of the most common challenges in upper jaw implant procedures.

Dr. Douglas L. Johnson, DMD

With over 25 years of specialized experience, Dr. Johnson provides exceptional care using the latest techniques and technology.

Dr. Johnson is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who completed his education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and advanced training through fellowships at prestigious institutions. His extensive training and experience allow him to perform complex procedures with precision and care.

At our state-of-the-art facility, we prioritize your comfort and results. Dr. Johnson and his specially trained staff are committed to providing you with the highest standard of care in a welcoming environment.

What are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting offers transformative benefits beyond just preparing for dental implants. This regenerative procedure restores lost jawbone structure, preventing the aged, sunken facial appearance that often accompanies bone loss. By rebuilding proper jaw dimensions, bone grafting helps maintain facial proportions and profile, effectively reversing some of the premature aging effects caused by tooth loss and bone resorption.

For patients seeking dental implants, bone grafting creates the solid foundation necessary for successful, long-lasting results. Implants placed in insufficient bone volume have higher failure rates and poorer aesthetic outcomes. By ensuring adequate bone quantity and quality through grafting, Dr. Johnson dramatically improves implant success rates and longevity, making your investment in tooth replacement more predictable and durable.

Beyond implants, bone grafting can enhance outcomes for other dental procedures by providing better support for conventional bridges or dentures. The procedure also helps prevent future bone loss by stimulating natural regeneration processes and maintaining the structural integrity of your jawbone, protecting your long-term oral health beyond the immediate surgical goals.

Our Reviews

Why Patients Choose Us

Care and Commitment

From the front office to the exam room, our practice is made up of professionals who take your oral health very seriously. Using state-of-the-art equipment designed with safety and efficiency in mind, we are able to offer top-notch care. As you walk through our office, you will notice that everything is clean, comfortable and thoroughly sterilized. Your safety and comfort are our priority.

Honesty and Affordability

We know that the cost of care can be confusing. In addition to offering a number of in-office payment options to fit your budget, we also give you up-front cost information on your treatment ahead of time. We are in network with a variety of insurance plans, and we offer dental financing with credit available in time frames that fit your needs. We are happy to help you navigate your dental insurance and alternative payment options.

Comprehensive Oral Surgery Care in One Location

At our practice, we are qualified to handle all aspects of your oral and maxillofacial care, so you are always surrounded by people that you trust. If we must refer out, we promise to send you to carefully vetted colleagues who apply the same professional principles in their office that we do in ours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a Candidate for Bone Grafting?

Most adults with bone loss in the jaw are candidates for some form of bone grafting. The primary considerations include your general health status, the extent of bone loss, and your treatment goals. Even patients with significant bone loss can often benefit from advanced grafting techniques. Certain medical conditions or medications may affect healing, so a thorough evaluation is essential to determine your specific situation and create an appropriate treatment plan.

Is Bone Grafting Painful?

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the bone grafting process is. The procedure is typically performed under IV sedation, so you’ll be asleep and comfortable throughout. Any post-operative discomfort is usually mild and manageable with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications. Many patients report they returned to work or normal activities within a day or two with minimal disruption to their routine.v

How Long Does Bone Grafting Take to Heal?

The healing timeline varies based on the type and extent of grafting performed. Minor grafting procedures, such as socket preservation, may heal sufficiently for implant placement in 3-4 months. More extensive augmentation, like sinus lifts or major ridge reconstruction, typically requires 4-6 months or occasionally longer for complete integration. Dr. Johnson will provide a specific timeline based on your individual procedure and healing progress.

Visit Us in St. Augustine

St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center is ideally situated at 1301 Plantation Island Dr. Suite #101, St. Augustine, FL 32080, making us easily accessible for patients throughout St. Augustine and surrounding communities.