David Bell, DDS, MD

Most thoughtful and thorough consultation I’ve experienced. A welcome surprise after consulting with many top Orthognathic surgeons to treat sleep apnea and orthodontic masking.

Broke down challenges and general plan in relatable terms. Holistic goal driven approach is appreciated.

I feel more confident in his care than any other surgeon I’ve consulted with.

After years of dealing with breathing and sleeping issues, I decided it was time to seek professional help. Following some testing, my small airway was discovered to be the culprit, and thus my orthodontist recommended that I undergo MMA surgery. I searched extensively and consulted with countless surgeons in the field before having my first meeting with Dr. Bell.

Immediately, Dr. Bell's genuine care and attentiveness stood out to me, as he took the time to meticulously answer every question and address any concern I had. I quickly found his passion for finding the best solution for his patients, paired with his immaculate attention to detail, truly unique. After each conversation I had with Dr. Bell, I walked away more comfortable and knowledgeable about my situation and eventually decided to go through with the surgery.

Dr. Bell was absolutely fantastic during the surgical planning. There would be times when he and I would spend hours talking about the details of my case, and the very next day he would tell me about new ideas that he came up with during his personal time thinking about my surgery plan! Dr. Bell truly labored tirelessly to craft the perfect surgery plan that addressed my particular issues while at the same time showing great care for the functional AND aesthetic aspects of the operation.

I am one month post-op as of writing this and couldn't be happier with my results! The very first thing I noticed after my surgery was how well I could breathe through my nose. As usual, Dr. Bell went above and beyond for me during my recovery time; he was always available for me to see him whenever I needed and constantly checked up on how I was doing. By performing the surgery flawless and showing incredible care for me post-op, I was able to recover quickly and without pain. Overall, my functional and aesthetic changes have truly been life-changing, and I cannot possibly thank Dr. Bell enough for everything he has done for me.

I would recommend for anyone who is dealing with similar issues to book a consultation with Dr. Bell as his care, passion, and knowledge is genuinely unmatched.

I waited 3 years to have my surgery with Dr. Bell, and I’m really happy that I did.

Dr. Bell fully addressed my concerns that a lot of other surgeons would not. For reference I came to inquire about jaw surgery because of health issues and recession caused by prior orthodontic treatment. When I was younger I underwent camouflage orthodontics, and it pushed my face back into my head. As a result I had poor breathing, poor posture, pain, and self confidence issues due to lacking in facial structure.

Dr. Bell is one of the few surgeons out there, in my experience, who works with patients to correct issues specifically caused by extractions/ retraction camouflage orthodontic treatment. Dr. Bell listened to, and validated all of my concerns when most other surgeons were dismissive simply because my pre surgery bite was okay.

Not only was Dr. Bell focused on my health concerns, he also worked hard to give me the aesthetic result that I wanted. He is capable of providing patience with a lot of projection as well as stability.

I have had no pain after surgery. I’m very happy with my results. I wish that I could have underwent this procedure sooner.

Dr. Bell gave me a chin, restful nights, alignment in my body, and has relieved me of chronic pain I had been suffering for years. Recovery was smooth.

It is obvious that Dr. Bell absolutely loves what he does, and advocates for what is best or his patients. I received 5 star treatment pre and post op.

He is the best.

I needed jaw surgery and was referred to Dr. Bell by my periodontist. My periodontist did not trust his patients with any other surgeon for jaw surgery except Dr. Bell. Dr. Bell is kind, meticulous, and extremely knowledgeable in his specialty. He has been doing jaw surgeries for 20+ years. He previously worked for Kaiser but now has his own practice. More than half of Dr. Bell’s cases are patients who come to him for a revision due to a previous jaw surgery gone wrong.

Dr. Bell individualized my surgical plan, revising it over several months until it was the best fit for me. Safety is always Dr. Bells main concern for his patients. After my surgery, Dr. Bell followed up with me like a hawk, making sure my healing was on track. I was amazed I had zero black, blue, or maroon bruising from the surgery.

A short brief on my background, I had sleep obstructive apnea for 30+ years due to a recessed lower jaw and small airway. For the past year and a half the sleep apnea and day-time sleepiness had been worsening. Having jaw surgery by Dr. Bell has changed my life. One of the first things I noticed immediately when I woke up was how much air came through my airway when I inhaled. I cannot believe I had been living life with such little air! For the first time in my life, I don’t snore anymore. I sleep through the night without being interrupted by sleep apnea. I’m finally getting the sleep my body needs to recover. I no longer have to take daytime naps because I now feel well-rested when I wake up. I feel like a different person. I am actually fully awake and present and can think clearly during the day. I am coming up on 12 weeks post-op, and things are on track thus far. I am confident that recovery will continue to go well under Dr. Bell’s care. I wish other doctors would take note and practice like Dr. Bell. He genuinely cares about his patients.

If you’re reading this review and are contemplating having jaw surgery for medical and, or, cosmetic reasons, you don’t have to search for another surgeon. This is a sign that Dr. Bell is THE surgeon for jaw surgery and you will not be disappointed under his care. Thank you sooooo much Dr. Bell! You’ve changed my life in so many ways, for the better. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your knowledge and skilled hands!

I was under Dr.Bell's meticulous and exemplary care for my 5 piece mandibular osteotomy early 2024. The surgery went swimmingly and I have no complications whatsoever. What sets Dr. Bell apart is his attentiveness and his compassion that he shows to each and every one of his patients. I was treated with so much kindness, patience, and compassion that it has set a new standard for medical care. Dr. Bell is one of if not the best maxillofacial surgeons in the industry, and it was an honor getting to know him and being a patient of his. He takes a patient first approach, where he makes a genuine effort to get to know each and every one of his patients. His empathy first approach is truly novel and I wish more doctors would take this approach. He is truly a once in a lifetime type of superstar in the maxillofacial industry.

After experiencing disappointing results from teenage orthodontics, which led to the extraction of three teeth and subsequent jaw underdevelopment, I faced severe cognitive issues due to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Determined to find not just a functional solution but also one that would enhance my facial aesthetics, I began searching for the top orthognathic surgeons across the country. My journey included costly consultations from LA to Santa Barbara, but it was Dr. Bell, located conveniently near my home, who ultimately captured my trust.

From our first conversation, Dr. Bell was remarkable. He combines profound empathy and a down-to-earth demeanor with an unrivaled passion for orthognathic surgery. He spent hours discussing my specific needs, focusing not only on improving my jaw function but also on achieving a visually pleasing aesthetic outcome. Dr. Bell suggested a unique treatment plan, starting with a transverse expansion of my mandible through distraction osteogenesis—a procedure no other consulted surgeon had proposed. This critical step was necessary to set the stage for further aesthetic enhancements and was executed flawlessly.

Four months post-procedure, I am immensely satisfied with the progress and look forward to the complete transformation. Dr. Bell’s expertise in utilizing advanced 3dMD technology is especially noteworthy. This tool allows him to forecast how surgical adjustments will translate into soft tissue changes, offering a precise visualization of the expected aesthetic improvements.

Dr. Bell's meticulous attention to aesthetic detail, combined with his cutting-edge surgical techniques, makes him a pioneer in the field. He specializes in stable five-piece mandibular osteotomies, enhancing the aesthetics of the lower face dramatically. His forward-thinking ‘surgery first’ approach and thorough pre-surgical planning ensure that both functional and aesthetic results are optimized.

If aesthetic considerations are crucial in your choice of a surgeon, Dr. Bell should be at the top of your list. His approach goes beyond mere medical treatment; he transforms lives visually and functionally. Don’t hesitate—reach out to his office now for a consultation. Your future self will thank you!

This review is for a consultation with Dr. Bell;

Pros:

There was plenty of time allocated to the visit, 1.5 hours. The office staff was courteous, the doctor seemed to want to help me with my case. He understood the frustration of trying to find the right help in the medical world. He spent a good amount of time reviewing my scans with me. He sends an overwhelming amount of information prior to the visit, some of which I found helpful. I walked away with reassurance that I was going down the right path.



Cons:

Dr. Bell spent little time building rapport, and the consultation started abruptly, followed by what I felt was a disorganized appointment.

He was unprofessional at times throughout the consultation and was interrogative concerning personal relationships, my job, and condescending towards previous doctors I have established relationships with, some of which he had little to no information on their background or experience in their respective fields. I was also interrupted while trying to answer questions the doctor had.

One of the documents I received was “8 Questions to ask your surgeon about orthognathic surgery”, which I added some to my personal list of questions I wanted to ask during my consultation. While some of these were answered during our time, the meeting ended abruptly, and I had no opportunity to ask any questions I had on my list.

Dr. Bell spent approximately 10-15 minutes screensharing a thread on Reddit, where he had an exchange with another poster, and read line for line his back and forth with the individual. The content had no relevance to my case but used this time to make the point that there was a lot of misinformation on Reddit, something that we both agreed on.

Lastly, while Dr. Bell was screensharing, approximately 3 times he scrolled through a folder showing the names of patients, which concerned me about the privacy of my visit and information.

I gave 2 stars because of the pro’s listed, but I cannot recommend this doctor for consultations.

I've so far only done a consult with him, but, if you're reading reviews, you're probably not booking surgery tomorrow: you're deciding your shortlist for who to do a consult with. So, for that, I can definitively say that Dr. Bell should be on it. Regardless of if you end up going with him or not, you'll learn a ton and won't regret it. He puts -a lot- of time and thought into his consults, really thinking through the details of your particular case and giving quality explanations of his thought processes.

Jaw surgery is a huge decision. Unfortunately, it's not (yet) like buying a car where you can go onto manufacturer websites and learn about everything you need to know to make a decision. Very few surgeons want to spend the time individually walking you through what you need to know; Dr. Bell is one of them.