About Jaw Surgeon Dr. David Bell
Orthognathic Surgeon
Jaw Surgeon Dr. David Bell, D.D.S., M.D., of Orthognathic Surgery MD in Irvine, California, is an orthognathic surgeon who treats patients from across the United States and from international regions including Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East. Approximately 80% of his patients come from within the United States, while the rest travel from abroad. Orthognathic surgery involves repositioning one or both jaws to achieve proper functional alignment. He performs procedures at South Coast Specialty Surgery Center in Costa Mesa, which is 2 miles from John Wayne Airport. His work is focused on improving jaw alignment and supporting better function in daily life.
Dr. Bell’s clinical work is centered on orthognathic jaw surgery with attention to both structure and function. His goal is to improve facial balance, assist breathing by treating conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, improve chewing efficiency, and maintain long-term stability. Through careful planning and execution, he aims to help patients achieve improved function and lasting outcomes.
Academic Background
David Bell earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors) in Music from York University in Toronto. He then completed a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Human Biology at the University of Toronto. He later received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in New York City. During his studies, he was awarded a 2-year research scholarship under the mentorship of Dr. Steven Roser, the acting chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr. David Bell, jaw surgeon, completed a Resident Internship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. He later returned to Louisiana State University School of Medicine to earn his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). His postgraduate training continued through the University of California, San Francisco Graduate Medical Education Program in Fresno. There, he completed an internship in General Surgery and then a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He further advanced his training in Texas through a fellowship under Douglas Sinn, D.D.S.
The Medical Board of California licenses Dr. Bell. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is also a Fellow of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. In addition, he is a member of the American Medical Association.
Professional Career Highlights
Dr. David Bell, a jaw surgery specialist, began his professional career in the 1990s in Louisiana. During that time, he practiced general and pediatric dentistry as an associate with Hollis Bray, D.D.S. He later worked with Edward H. Hobbs, D.D.S., in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Longview, Texas. He continued practicing dentistry both before and during medical school.
After completing his residency training through the UCSF program in central California, he practiced briefly in Northern California. During this period, he operated at Mercy Medical Center and Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding, California. He then served as a clinical instructor in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. In this role, he operated at John Peter Smith Hospital and Cook’s Children’s Hospital. During this time, he worked alongside and was mentored by Drs. John Stella, Michael Zide, and Michael Warner.
Before being recruited to join Southern California Permanente Medical Group (Kaiser Permanente) in Anaheim, California, David Bell completed fellowship training in the private practice of Dr. Douglas Sinn. This mentorship period contributed to his development in orthognathic surgery.
While working at Kaiser Permanente in Anaheim, He focused almost entirely on orthognathic surgery. During this time, he performed nearly 2000 procedures. His work was recognized by his operating room colleagues, who awarded him the Golden Scalpel Award twice consecutively.
In 2023, He started his private practice, Orthognathic Surgery MD. His practice is limited exclusively to orthognathic surgery, allowing him to focus fully on this area.
Dr. Bell’s Patient-Centric Approach
Jaw Surgeon Dr. David Bell approaches patient care with a focus on trust and communication. He believes that trust is essential in the doctor-patient relationship. He takes time to understand each patient’s goals, concerns, and expectations. His approach includes listening carefully and maintaining open communication throughout the process.
He values collaboration and ongoing dialogue rather than a one-sided approach. He remains attentive to changes in each patient’s condition or personal situation. Each treatment plan is developed based on individual needs. After detailed planning and preparation, his focus in the operating room is on precision and safety.
Advanced Technologies, Technique and Artistry, and Long-Term Follow-up
As a jaw surgeon, Dr. David Bell uses advanced technologies to support the planning and execution of orthognathic surgery. These include medical-grade 320-slice spiral CT scans, 3DMD high-resolution 3D photography of each patient’s face, and digital STL scans of each patient’s teeth. These tools are combined to create a detailed plan tailored to each patient.
To help patients understand expected outcomes, Dr. Bell works with biomedical engineers using Materialize ProPlan CMF, a virtual planning software. This allows each surgery to be planned in three dimensions. Scientific studies have validated the accuracy of this approach. It offers a more reliable method compared to combining two-dimensional images with CT scans.
Once the surgical plan is approved, He works with engineers to design custom 3D-printed titanium hardware. He reviews each design and may adjust it before final approval. This process supports consistency and accuracy.
During surgery, he uses visualization tools, including Zeiss and Swarotec/Swarovski magnification loupes. He also uses Mectron Medical piezoelectric instrumentation, along with biomaterials, bone grafting techniques, and stem cell technology when needed. These tools support controlled and precise procedures.
After surgery, Dr. Bell closely follows his patients and provides ongoing care. He monitors recovery and addresses any concerns. Postoperative CT scans are digitally compared with preoperative scans to assess outcomes and improve future planning. These evaluations help refine his surgical protocols.
He is recognized as the only surgeon who routinely performs complex five- and six-piece mandibular osteotomies. He is also one of four orthognathic surgeons worldwide who routinely use 3DMD technology. Jaw Surgeon Dr. David Bell continues his work with a focus on orthognathic surgery, careful planning, and patient-centered care.
Portfolio: https://davidbellddsmd.com
Website: https://orthognathicsurgerymd.com
