Ridge Augmentation in St. Augustine, FL

Restoring your jawbone’s natural dimensions for optimal function and aesthetics

Don't let bone loss compromise your treatment options or appearance. Discover how ridge augmentation can restore what's been lost and create new possibilities.

What Is Ridge Augmentation?

Ridge augmentation is a specialized surgical procedure designed to rebuild the alveolar ridge—the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. When teeth are lost, the surrounding bone naturally begins to resorb or shrink, often resulting in significant bone loss that affects both function and appearance. This natural process can leave the jawbone narrow, short, or with insufficient volume to support dental implants.

Ridge augmentation reverses this bone loss by adding width and/or height to the jawbone using bone grafting materials. The procedure restores the natural dimensions of your jaw, creating adequate bone volume for implant placement while improving facial aesthetics by preventing the collapsed appearance that often follows tooth loss.

As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Johnson has advanced training and extensive experience in various ridge augmentation techniques. From straightforward horizontal augmentation to complex three-dimensional reconstruction, his specialized expertise ensures that your procedure is tailored to address your specific bone deficiencies while achieving optimal functional and aesthetic results.

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 Ridge Augmentation?

Ridge augmentation offers transformative benefits that extend well beyond preparing for dental implants. By restoring the natural dimensions of your jawbone, this procedure prevents the sunken facial appearance that often accompanies bone loss, effectively reversing one of the most aging aspects of tooth loss. The restored bone structure maintains proper facial proportions and profile, significantly enhancing your overall appearance and confidence.

For patients seeking dental implants, ridge augmentation creates the essential foundation necessary for proper implant placement. Implants placed in insufficient bone volume have higher failure rates and poorer aesthetic outcomes. By ensuring adequate bone quantity and quality through augmentation, Dr. Johnson dramatically improves implant success rates and longevity, making your investment in tooth replacement more predictable and durable.

Beyond implants, ridge augmentation can enhance outcomes for conventional dental prosthetics by creating better support and contours for bridges or removable dentures. The improved ridge shape prevents food traps and improves cleansability, enhancing your long-term oral health while providing better stability for traditional dental restorations.

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 Ridge Augmentation?

Most adults with significant jawbone loss are candidates for some form of ridge augmentation. The primary considerations include your general health status, the extent of bone loss, and your treatment goals. Even patients with extensive bone resorption can often benefit from advanced augmentation 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 Ridge Augmentation Painful?

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the ridge augmentation 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 normal activities within a day or two with minimal disruption to their routine.

How Long Does Ridge Augmentation Take to Heal?

The healing timeline varies based on the extent of augmentation performed and your body’s natural healing capacity. Typically, horizontal augmentation requires 4-6 months for sufficient bone maturation before implant placement. Vertical augmentation or combined procedures may require 6-9 months 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.