Dr. Michael J. Gunson, DDS, MD - Santa Barbara (CA)

5 /5 Scott S: I wanted to reflect on my experience a bit before writing a review. Firstly, Dr. Gunson is clearly a very skilled physician as it relates to jaw surgery (as he is typically included in lists Ive seen of top surgeons for that in the country). For that reason, you will probably have to wait a little bit longer to see him, but in my opinion, it is well worth it and Im very pleased with his care. I will say that my particular case is probably more complex than average given a lot of dental work Ive had done and I definitely suspect hes had to spend more time on me than the average patient (for reasons I wont elaborate on here) which I regret. I am grateful that he took on my case and so far Ive very pleased with the results and to finally address these issues that have bothered me for some time (since my late teens). A lot of people online ask about the financial aspects of jaw surgery and I must admit it is daunting for many of us and yes, you will probably spend somewhat more with a surgeon as in-demand as Dr. Gunson, but given the level of care and expertise, I would do it all over again. That said, as with any surgeon doing jaw surgery, you should be prepared for a significant investment though each case is different. Lastly, what I will say that what I really have appreciated about Dr. Gunson is that he is extremely down-to-Earth and not arrogant in any way like some doctors are and he is very generous with his time from what I have seen. He also has a great staff that have all been friendly and helpful (Lori especially who has been so great) and I have really appreciated their support throughout this process.

5 /5 Bret Flynn: I had double jaw surgery with Dr. Gunson about 6 years ago, and could not have asked for a more skilled, caring, and competent surgeon and staff. From Jenae at front desk, through to all of the nurses, PA Lori, and Dr. Gunson, my surgery couldnt have gone smoother. Recovery is a long process, and Dr. Gunson and his team were so professional, empathetic, and kind throughout it all. 6 years later and I have nothing but relief that I was able to have this surgery done with Dr. Gunson. My life has completely changed, in allowing me to sleep normally, smile with confidence, and most importantly, navigate life without having to think about my jaw issues anymore. Probably one of the most monumental changes that has ever been made in my life, and it is all thanks to Dr. Gunson and his incredible team. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

5 /5 Jessica Gross: Going to Dr. Gunson was the best decision I ever made. After years and years of chronic jaw pain, multiple visits with various surgeons, and even a prior double jaw surgery, I had given up hope that my jaw would ever be fully functional and pain free. However, Dr. Gunson’s amazing work changed that. I am now 2 years post-op and my jaw is in a better state then I could have ever imagined. Besides his amazing work as a surgeon, Dr. Gunson always made himself available to answer questions and have adjustments made. Both he and his staff were always so kind and welcoming. It is a very daunting process, but Dr. Gunson and his staff instilled in me the confidence and courage I needed to see it through, standing with me every step of the way. The time and care they put into their patients is something you don’t see very often in the medical field these days, so this was a very refreshing experience. My visits never felt rushed and I was never made to feel like a nuisance with my endless questions regarding my care. Dr. Gunson and his staff made it a priority to ensure I felt comfortable and knowledgeable about everything involved with my care plan. I feel immensely grateful to have been a patient of Dr. Gunson, as his work has significantly improved my quality of life.

5 /5 Jessica Gunson: Seeing Dr. Gunson was easily the best decision of my life. He and his staff were friendly and knowledgeable and helpful. I had too and bottom jaw surgery. There were no complications and the recovery was better than I expected. It’s been 16 years, and I’m forever grateful to Dr. Gunson for everything he did for me.

5 /5 Jessica Chiappone: If you are looking for a top surgeon who is an expert in the field, with amazing outcomes and goes above and beyond for his patients, look no further than Dr. Gunson. There isn’t anyone else I would trust. I have been a patient of Dr. Gunson since 2014. My case is very complicated, and one that I would only ever trust Dr. Gunson in handling. Prior to working with Dr. Gunson, I underwent a BSSO surgery on my lower jaw with a surgeon in Boston to correct right joint dislocation due to asymmetry, a pretty straight forward surgery. Immediately following surgery, began to experience significant joint resorption, that multiple surgeons, including the one who performed the lower jaw surgery, claimed was “idiopathic” in nature. I was told by a top surgeon in the field, as well as two others, that I would need bilateral total joint replacement, and that sometimes resorption just happens, for causes unknown. Given that this problem was now completely different from my original problem, and I had developed a significant overbite, I was not willing to accept this answer without an identifiable cause. I subscribed to the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and found, “Pathophysiology and Pharmacologic Control of Osseous Mandibular Condylar Resorption,” where Dr. Arnett and Gunson describe factors associated with condylar resorption and reached out to him immediately, traveling across the country for a consultation. During my consultation, it was evident that Dr. Gunson was different than the other surgeons I had met from both a clinical standpoint, and personal standpoint. As opposed to wanting to instantly remove the diseased condyles forever and replace it with something that was not my own, he wanted to address the underlying cause of the resorption, which was a symptom of something else happening systemically in my body, and take the most conservative surgical approach necessary to restore jaw function and facial balance. It is because of him, and his team, that my complicated medical case has been ultimately resolved. As opposed to correcting the problem with artificial joints that would likely fail in ten years or less, Dr. Gunson worked tirelessly to identify the real systemic root cause, and address it with medical genius, patience, and always my best interests at heart. Dr Gunson is a perfectionist and meticulous surgeon, and it was evident by my surgical outcomes. The care that I received from Dr. Gunson, and his surgical coordinator, Kim, made me feel like I was part of their own family. I never felt like I was just another patient. They always took the time to make sure I was comfortable with the treatment plan, and even followed up with me when I needed them off hours. I live in NY, and being in a different time zone, and also not able to just stop by for a check, Dr. Gunson and Kim were always willing to go above and beyond to make sure we touched base regarding my concerns, even if it interrupted their personal lives. I cant thank them enough for always going above and beyond for me, and never making me feel like I was a nuisance. In terms of my surgical outcome, I would have never imagined 5 years ago that I would be at this point. Dr. Gunson restored my jaw function, reduced my pain to almost nothing, which was so intense for so long, and gave me my health back by helping identify systemic issues that were not only wreaking havoc on my jaw, but my entire body, and rebalanced my appearance on top of all of that. It is very rare to find a specialist that is interested in the total system from head to toes, but Dr. Gunson’s thorough assessment ultimately saved me in more ways than one. I always tell him that it is a miracle that I found him, because he is a miracle worker. If you are fortunate enough to find Dr. Gunson, I assure you that you are in the right place.