After more than two decades of treating patients on Key Biscayne, local resident and renowned oral surgeon, Dr. Juan Carlos Portuondo has relocated his practice just over the Rickenbacker Causeway.

While he is now seeing patients at South Miami Hospital, Dr. Portuondo remains the go-to specialist for many Island families, many of whom have followed him to his new South Miami offices.

Islander News sat down with Dr. Portuondo to discuss his background, his surgical approach and the latest innovations in dental health.

IN. How has your background shaped your approach to patient care?

JP. My residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital provided great training in all aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery. My training included rotations through all dental specialties, as well as medical specialties including, general anesthesia, general surgery, plastic surgery, ENT, head and neck surgery, pathology and emergency medicine at one of the nation’s best trauma units. Along with that extensive training, I also trained on simpler oral surgery procedures including extractions, wisdom teeth removal, implants, bone grafts, oral pathology, TMJ disease and surgical correction of dento-facial deformities and more. I also learned early on the importance of compassion and kindness to help patients feel at ease.

IN. What distinguishes your practice from others?

JP. Difficult question, as there are many qualified dental surgeons. At Mosa Surgical Center, we want to continue offering our patients needing an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal or dental implants, the highest level of surgical expertise, advanced anesthesia training and comprehensive management of complex cases. These specialists are uniquely trained to prioritize safety, precision, and optimal outcomes. We also provide IV sedation and general anesthesia for surgical procedures. Our practice stands apart through unmatched training and experience. I am board certified and completed a five-year surgical residency and anesthesia rotation at Johns Hopkins Hospital. I can offer my more than 40 years of private practice experience, delivering trusted, expert care to our community. To me, the most important thing is to have a relationship with my patients and personally call every patient post-surgery to check in and answer any questions they or their family may have.

Medical Minute: Decoding Dental Terms

Dr. Portuondo’s work often involves advanced procedures. Here is a quick guide to what they mean for your health:

• Orthognathic Surgery: This isn’t just about a smile; it is a corrective procedure to align the jaw bones. It improves how you chew and speak while often enhancing facial symmetry.

• Bone Regeneration: To place a successful dental implant, you need a solid foundation. This process “rebuilds” the jawbone in areas where it may have thinned, ensuring implants stay secure for a lifetime.

• Maxillofacial Surgery: A specialized branch of dentistry that treats diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, and jaws.

IN. What excites you most about recent developments in dental health care?

JP. We have had an incredible and significant amount of progress and innovations in oral surgery in the last years, especially in the field of implant dentistry. A few significant advancements include new techniques and materials available for the regeneration of bone in the upper and lower jaws, as well as advances in the type of implants we use to replace missing teeth. For these complex cases we work with a restorative dentist who assists with the final crowns, dentures, etc., when the implants are healed. Another exciting advancement that we specialize in is orthognathic surgery. This involves cosmetic and functional correction of the bite in conjunction with movement of the upper and lower jaws, as well as the chin for the treatment of dental-facial deformities. We work with the patient’s orthodontist who moves the teeth alignment in preparation and/or after the surgical procedure.

Dr. Portuondo operates out of the Mosa Surgical Center in South Miami Hospital, 6200 Sunset Drive, Suite 402 in South Miami. You can email him at drportuondo@mosasurgery.com or call (305) 665-8740 to make an appointment.