Rhinoplasty in St. Augustine, FL

Specialized nasal surgery to enhance both appearance and breathing function with natural-looking results

Are you concerned about the appearance of your nose or experiencing breathing difficulties due to nasal structure? Do you feel your nose doesn’t complement your other facial features? At St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center, Dr. Douglas L. Johnson provides expert rhinoplasty procedures that can reshape your nose for improved aesthetics, better breathing function, or both—creating harmony and balance while maintaining a natural look that enhances your unique features.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, often called a “nose job,” is a sophisticated surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to improve its appearance, function, or both. This transformative surgery can address a wide range of concerns, from aesthetic issues like bumps, asymmetry, or disproportionate size to functional problems such as breathing difficulties caused by structural abnormalities, injury, or congenital conditions.

The procedure involves carefully modifying the bone, cartilage, and soft tissue of the nose to create the desired shape while preserving or enhancing breathing function. Rhinoplasty may reduce or increase nose size, change the bridge contour, refine the nasal tip, adjust nostril width, or correct asymmetry. When combined with internal structural improvements (septoplasty), the procedure can simultaneously resolve breathing issues while enhancing appearance.

As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Johnson has advanced training in the complex anatomy of the face and specialized techniques for nasal reconstruction. His comprehensive approach considers both the aesthetic and functional aspects of rhinoplasty, ensuring results that not only look natural but also support proper breathing and long-term nasal health.

The Rhinoplasty Process

Comprehensive Consultation and Assessment

Your rhinoplasty journey begins with a thorough evaluation where Dr. Johnson will examine your nasal structures both externally and internally, discuss your specific concerns and goals, and evaluate how your nose relates to your other facial features. This detailed assessment includes analysis of your nasal anatomy, breathing function, skin quality, and facial proportions. During this visit, Dr. Johnson will explain what rhinoplasty can realistically accomplish for your specific situation and begin developing a customized surgical plan aligned with your goals.

Personalized Surgical Planning

Based on your evaluation findings, Dr. Johnson develops a detailed surgical plan tailored to your unique anatomy and specific concerns. This plan may include computer imaging that helps visualize potential results and ensures clear communication about your goals and expectations. Dr. Johnson takes time to explain the recommended techniques, expected outcomes, and any limitations based on your particular nasal structure, creating realistic expectations about what rhinoplasty can achieve for your individual case.

Pre-Surgical Preparation

Once you decide to proceed with rhinoplasty, our team provides comprehensive preparation guidance to ensure you’re fully prepared for surgery and recovery. This includes detailed pre-operative instructions regarding medications, smoking cessation if applicable, and practical arrangements for your surgery day and recovery period. Proper preparation significantly enhances both your surgical experience and your results, creating the optimal foundation for successful rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty Procedure

The surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort. Depending on your specific needs, Dr. Johnson will use either a closed approach (incisions inside the nose) or an open approach (additional small incision on the columella between nostrils) to access the nasal structures. He then precisely modifies the bone, cartilage, and soft tissue to create the desired shape and functional improvements according to your personalized surgical plan. The procedure typically takes 2-4 hours depending on complexity, with most patients returning home the same day.

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 Rhinoplasty Surgery ?

Rhinoplasty offers powerful benefits beyond simple cosmetic changes. From an aesthetic perspective, even subtle refinements to your nose can dramatically improve facial harmony and balance, allowing your other attractive features to receive appropriate attention rather than being overshadowed by nasal irregularities.

For patients with breathing difficulties, functional improvements can be life-changing. Correcting internal structural issues like deviated septum, narrow valves, or enlarged turbinates significantly improves airflow, potentially resolving chronic congestion, frequent sinus infections, snoring, and sleep disturbances.

Psychologically, patients frequently report enhanced self-confidence following successful rhinoplasty. When concerns about nasal appearance have caused self-consciousness for years, addressing these issues can create profound improvements in social comfort and overall self-image. Most importantly, modern rhinoplasty techniques create results that look natural rather than surgically altered, enhancing your appearance while preserving your unique facial character.

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 Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty include individuals who: have specific concerns about nasal appearance such as bumps, asymmetry, or disproportionate size; experience breathing difficulties related to nasal structure; have realistic expectations about what rhinoplasty can achieve; are in good general health without conditions that impair healing; do not smoke or are willing to quit before and after surgery; and have completed facial growth (typically age 16+ for females and 17+ for males). The best candidates also understand that rhinoplasty should enhance rather than completely transform appearance, with goals focused on improvement rather than perfection. During your consultation, Dr. Johnson will evaluate whether rhinoplasty is appropriate for your specific situation and what it can realistically accomplish for your particular anatomy.

How Long Is the Recovery After Rhinoplasty?

Recovery progresses through several phases, with most patients following a similar timeline: the first week involves wearing a nasal splint, managing swelling and bruising with head elevation and cold compresses, and experiencing congestion that gradually improves; at 7-10 days, the external splint and any sutures are removed, and most visible bruising has resolved; by 2-3 weeks, most patients feel comfortable in social situations with minimal visible swelling; noticeable refinement occurs between 1-3 months as more swelling resolves; and subtle ongoing improvement continues for up to a year as the last traces of swelling disappear. Most patients return to work or school within 10-14 days and resume full physical activities including exercise by 4-6 weeks. Dr. Johnson provides detailed recovery guidelines tailored to your specific procedure and individual healing factors.

Will My Nose Look Natural After Rhinoplasty?

Modern rhinoplasty techniques, particularly in the hands of a specialist like Dr. Johnson, create results that look natural rather than obviously surgical. The goal is a refined nose that complements your other facial features while addressing your specific concerns—not an artificial or “cookie-cutter” appearance. Several factors contribute to natural-looking results: maintaining appropriate proportions for your unique face rather than creating a standardized nose; preserving or creating subtle asymmetries that exist in all natural features; respecting your ethnic background and inherent nasal characteristics; and making changes that enhance rather than dramatically alter your appearance. During your consultation, Dr. Johnson’s detailed facial analysis and personalized planning approach ensures your results will look natural and appropriate for your specific facial structure.

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.