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 and When Is It Needed?

Bone grafting is a foundational treatment in modern implant and reconstructive dentistry. At our practice in St. Augustine, we provide advanced bone grafting procedures to help restore lost bone and create a healthy, supportive structure for future dental implants. Whether you’re preparing for dental surgery, addressing damage from periodontal disease, or rebuilding after tooth loss, we tailor each treatment plan to your unique needs.

Our experienced oral surgeon uses the latest techniques and bone grafting material to safely regenerate the jaw bone, improve bone density, and set the stage for long-term oral health. With proper planning and care, patients who were once told they had insufficient bone for implants may now be excellent candidates.

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure used to rebuild or regenerate areas where bone loss has occurred. This can happen after a tooth extraction, prolonged absence of natural teeth, or as a result of periodontal disease. When the bone volume is too low, it becomes difficult to achieve stable dental implant placement without additional support.

The bone graft procedure introduces new or synthetic grafting material into the area where the natural bone has been lost. Over time, the graft stimulates new bone growth, blending with the existing bone tissue to create a strong, healthy structure. This procedure can be done on any part of the jaw but is especially common in the upper jaw, where sinus lift surgery may also be necessary to raise the sinus floor and make room for the graft.

Types of Bone Grafting in Dental Care

Depending on the location and severity of bone loss, your treatment may involve one of several grafting techniques. A dental bone graft may be minor, such as ridge preservation following a tooth extraction, or more complex, such as rebuilding damaged bone before a full-arch implant restoration. These procedures are performed using sterilized donor material, synthetic substitutes, or bone harvested from another area of your body.

Patients who have experienced significant bone loss due to infection, trauma, or long-term tooth loss often require more extensive intervention. In such cases, we plan your treatment in phases, focusing first on regenerating healthy bone tissue, and then proceeding with dental implant surgery once the graft has successfully integrated.

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.

Bone Grafting Before Dental Implants

One of the most common reasons for bone grafting in St. Augustine is to prepare for implant placement. For implants to be successful, they need to be anchored in solid, dense bone. When this foundation is missing, we use bone grafting to replace bone and improve the stability of the future implant site.

This step is particularly important when replacing multiple teeth, restoring facial symmetry, or when the surrounding bone is too thin to support traditional implants. Mini implants may be an option for patients with minimal bone, but even they require a stable base to function properly. Our team works closely with you to determine the best timing and approach for your overall treatment plan.

Maintaining Oral Health After Bone Grafting

Healing after a bone graft procedure is an important part of your overall dental recovery. With proper care and good oral hygiene, most patients recover comfortably and are able to proceed with dental implant placement within several months. Eating a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, and protecting the grafted site are all key to encouraging bone growth and successful integration.

Your follow-up visits will ensure the graft is healing properly and that your oral health remains on track. Once the bone has matured, we’ll guide you through the next steps of your dental implant journey and help restore your healthy smile with lasting results.

Trusted Surgical Expertise in St. Augustine

Our St. Augustine office is led by a highly trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in both routine and advanced bone grafting procedures. Whether you’re seeking to restore your natural teeth, support future implants, or rebuild after a tooth extraction, we provide personalized care every step of the way.

We also understand the importance of transparent pricing. We offer clear explanations of your treatment costs and can assist with dental insurance, financing options, and scheduling so that your care fits your life and budget.

If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for implants due to bone loss, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at 904-637-4221 to learn more about bone grafting in St. Augustine. Together, we can build a path to stronger bone, better health, and a confident, functional smile.

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.