If you’ve been told you don’t have enough jawbone for dental implants or are experiencing bone loss around missing teeth, Dental Arts of Florida can help. Led by Dr. Fred Tepedino, and Dr. Patel, our surgical team specializes in advanced bone grafting procedures that rebuild lost bone and create a solid foundation for implants and other restorative treatments.
At Dental Arts of Florida in Jacksonville, FL, our skilled surgical team specializes in advanced bone grafting procedures that rebuild lost bone and create a solid foundation for dental implants and other restorative treatments.
Call 904-822-9786 to schedule your consultation and discover how bone grafting can change your smile and confidence.
Bone grafting refers to surgical procedures that add new bone or bone-substitute material to jaw areas where bone has been lost or is insufficient. It’s often a necessary step for patients who want to receive dental implants but don’t yet have adequate bone support.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), bone grafting is critical to modern implant dentistry, significantly improving success rates and long-term stability. The graft material serves as a scaffold that encourages your body’s natural bone cells to grow, integrate, and eventually replace the graft with your own healthy bone tissue through a process called osseointegration.
At our clinic in Jacksonville FL, we evaluate your jaw structure using digital imaging and then make a grafting plan that fits your anatomy and future treatment goals (such as implants or full-mouth reconstruction).
When a tooth is lost, the bone that once supported it no longer receives stimulation from chewing forces. Without this stimulation, the bone begins to resorb, or shrink, sometimes losing up to 25% of its width within the first year alone. As explained in our guide on whether dental implants cause bone loss, dental implants actually help prevent bone deterioration by mimicking natural tooth roots and stimulating the jawbone. However, if significant bone loss has already occurred, bone grafting may be necessary before implant placement.
Dental implants require adequate bone volume and density to integrate successfully. Bone grafting creates the strong foundation implants need to function like natural teeth, contributing to the impressive success rate of dental implants that often exceeds 95%
Socket preservation performed immediately after tooth extraction helps maintain bone volume and prevents the collapse of the ridge, making future implant placement easier and more predictable. Read more about dental implants and bone health.
Bone loss can lead to a sunken, aged appearance as the jawbone shrinks and facial tissues lose support. Bone grafting maintains facial contours and prevents premature aging. Read more about before and after of dental implants.
When bone deteriorates, neighboring teeth can shift, loosen, or become compromised. Bone grafting stabilizes the ridge and protects surrounding teeth.
Even if you’re not planning implants, bone grafting can improve the fit, stability, and comfort of dentures and bridges by providing a more stable ridge.
Untreated bone loss can lead to a cascade of dental problems, including additional tooth loss, bite misalignment, and TMJ disorders.
Delaying bone grafting can make future procedures more complex and costly. Early intervention preserves your natural bone and opens the door to restorative options that might otherwise be impossible.
You may be a candidate for bone grafting if you:
During your consultation at Dental Arts of Florida in Jacksonville, FL, our surgical team will evaluate your jawbone using advanced 3D CBCT imaging, discuss your treatment goals, and recommend the most appropriate bone grafting technique for your situation.
At Dental Arts of Florida, we offer a comprehensive range of bone grafting techniques, each designed to address specific bone loss patterns and treatment goals.
Graft Type | Source | Advantages | Healing Time |
Autograft | Patient’s own bone (chin, jaw, hip) | Highest success rate, best integration, contains living cells | 3–6 months |
Allograft | Human donor bone (processed, sterilized) | No second surgical site, readily available, safe | 4–6 months |
Xenograft | Animal-derived bone (typically bovine) | No second surgical site, biocompatible, cost-effective | 4–6 months |
Alloplast | Synthetic bone substitute (ceramics, bioactive glass) | No donor site, predictable, unlimited supply | 4–6 months |
Here’s what you can expect when you come to Dental Arts of Florida for bone grafting:
We begin with a detailed review of your oral health, medical history and future treatment goals. We’ll take digital x-rays or 3-D scans to measure bone volume and identify any infection or gum disease that must be treated first. A personalized plan will be presented.
Before surgery we manage any existing gum disease or infection. We’ll explain sedation or comfort options (see sedation dentistry). We’ll instruct you on fasting or medications, and schedule your procedure for a day with minimal stress. Many patients wonder, “Are dental implants painful?” The same question applies to bone grafting. With proper anesthesia and sedation, the procedure itself is comfortable, and any post-operative discomfort is manageable with medication.
Local anesthesia (or sedation if needed) ensures your comfort during the grafting appointment at our Jacksonville office. The dentist accesses the site, places the graft material, inserts membranes or fixation devices as needed, and closes with sutures. The goal: create a stable graft that supports new bone formation.
After the graft, your body gradually replaces the graft material with your own bone over the next few months (osseointegration). During this time, we monitor healing, take follow-up scans, and guide you on care and activity restrictions.
Once your new bone has matured (typically 4-9 months, depending on complexity), you’re ready for the next phase, usually dental implant placement. Our team at Dental Arts keeps treatment streamlined and convenient by providing most services in-house. Learn more about what to expect in our comprehensive guide to dental implants before and after the procedure.
Below is a general cost guide for bone grafting in Florida, actual cost at our Jacksonville clinic depends on graft type, severity, anesthesia, and whether additional treatments are needed.
Graft Type | Typical Cost Range (FL) | Notes |
Small Socket Preservation | Approx. $300-$700 | After simple extraction |
Ridge Augmentation | Approx. $800-$1,800 | Moderate volume restoration |
Sinus Lift | Approx. $1,200-$2,500 | Upper jaw with sinus involvement |
Block Bone Graft | Approx. $2,000-$4,000+ | Major augmentation, may require second site |
Our office is in-network with most major insurance providers and most PPO insurance plans. Please bring your insurance card to each appointment so we can make sure your information is as up-to-date as possible. If you do not find your insurance provider here; please call at (904) 822-9786 for clarity.
Use of specialists and technology under one roof, allowing efficient graft-to-implant transitions
Open most weekends and flexible scheduling for busy lifestyles
Free initial consultations for new patients to discuss bone grafting and implants
State-of-the-art imaging and surgical equipment for precision graft placement
Compassionate, anxiety-aware care, many patients who avoided the dentist now proceed confidently with our support
Choosing us means you don’t just restore bone, you rebuild your future options for a healthy, full-functioning smile. Read more about real life success stories on our testimonials page.
No. Local anesthesia and sedation ensure comfort during the procedure. Most patients report only mild post-operative discomfort managed with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication. Swelling and soreness typically peak within 2–3 days.
Healing typically takes 3–6 months depending on graft size, location, material type, and overall health. Small socket preservation grafts may heal in 3–4 months, while larger augmentations or sinus lifts may require 6 months. We monitor progress with follow-up appointments and imaging.
In some cases, yes, especially if you have adequate existing bone to stabilize the implant initially. Simultaneous placement reduces treatment time but may be less predictable for significant bone loss. Our surgical team will evaluate your specific case during consultation.
If you receive nitrous oxide sedation, yes, you can drive yourself home immediately after your appointment because the effects wear off quickly. However, if you receive oral sedation or IV sedation, you will not be able to drive. You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to and from your appointment, as these sedation methods can impair coordination, judgment, and reaction time for several hours after your procedure.
No. Smoking significantly impairs healing by restricting blood flow to the surgical site, reducing oxygen delivery, and delaying healing. Studies show smokers have dramatically lower success rates. Quit at least 2 weeks before surgery and avoid smoking for at least 8 weeks afterward.
While rare, graft failure can occur due to infection, inadequate blood supply, smoking, or poor oral hygiene. Signs include persistent pain, swelling, graft mobility, or gum recession. If failure occurs, the graft is removed, the area heals, and a second grafting may be performed once healthy.
Dr. Fred Tepedino comes from a long line of dentists spanning four generations. He received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Nova Southeastern University and graduated with Honors in Periodontology. Always furthering his education and abilities, Dr. Tepedino continued his surgical training to achieve a Fellowship with The International Dental Implant Association and training in Advanced Alveolar Reconstruction. Taking the time to listen to his patients and hear their perspective on their oral health and dental needs, Dr. Tepedino establishes trust and rapport with them. Ever a perfectionist, Dr. Tepedino provides a high level of care and skill that truly set his practice apart.
