Meet The Doctor
John R. Werther, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.S.
About Dr. Werther
The face and teeth are critical parts of our identity and it became apparent early on in Dr. Werther’s college career that facial plastic and maxillofacial surgery would be his calling. Undergraduate studies in chemical engineering helped to prepare a framework for careful, methodical, and comprehensive preparation and planning necessary for carrying out complex facial surgical procedures. Dr. Werther graduated D.M.D. magna cum laude from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. While in Boston, he spent a year in the Orthopedic Research lab at Children’s Hospital working on bone regeneration via osteoinduction and practiced general dentistry part-time. In 1986 he came to Nashville, with wife Beth, to further his studies in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS). He received his MD from Vanderbilt in 1988 and completed his general surgery internship and then residency in OMS in 1991. Following the first OMS Foundation-sponsored fellowship in Facial Cosmetic Surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, he returned to Vanderbilt on the full-time faculty in OMS. As director of Facial Plastic Surgery, he was directly responsible for integrating elective cosmetic and reconstructive/post-traumatic facial surgery into the training of over 20 OMS residents. After 10 years he left full-time academics for private practice, opening Oral & Facial Surgery Group, P.C. in May 2001. This has allowed him more time to concentrate on direct patient care and to spend more time with his wife of 25 years, Beth, and their two teenage boys Donaldand Ben.
Practice Emphasis
Dr. Werther’s practice is limited to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, jaws, and teeth in adults and children. The 3 main Areas of clinical emphasis are:
(1) Facial Cosmetic Surgery including Facelift, Browlift, Blepharoplasty (eyelift), Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), Facial liposuction, Facial Implants, Chin augmentation, Skin lesion removal and resurfacing, lip augmentation, Scar revision);
(2) Facial & Jaw Reconstruction including Orthognathic surgery, Sleep apnea surgery, TMJ surgery, Facial Trauma surgery, Post-traumatic repair of Facial defects, Facial & Jaw Pathology, Pediatric Surgery including Cleft Alveolar repair
(3) Dento-alveolar Surgery including Dental implants & associated bone/soft tissue grafting, extractions, 3rd molar-wisdom teeth surgery, orthodontic surgery (exposing impacted teeth), apicoectomy (root amputation after root canal treatment).
Practice Philosophy
Dr. Werther’s surgical philosophy lies in total facial analysis followed by individualized harmonious correction of skeletal, soft tissue and dental tissues to provide optimum facial balance, proportion, and function. Knowledge and experience gained over 20 years as both a dentist and a physician has proven that proper diagnosis begins with carefully listening to the patient’s chief complaint(s). Detailed knowledge of and integration of the patient’s past dental/medical history and medical problems, in coordination with the patient’s dentist and physicians, are crucial in obtaining a safe outcome. He firmly believes that the patient needs to be apprised of all of treatment options and limitations in an unhurried fashion and strives to help the patient make a careful informed decision about treatment.
Education and Research
Dr. Werther remains actively engaged in research and educational endeavors as Associate Clinical Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and also serves in various editorial roles including the Editorial Board of Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Radiology Endodontics and International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. He has published 19 articles, 10 textbook chapters, 9 abstracts and lectured in the US and internationally. He has served in numerous professional roles in local, state and national organizations committed to excellence in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Facial Cosmetic Surgery.
Certification and Memberships
Dr. Werther is certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery in Facial Cosmetic Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Other professional memberships include American Dental Association and American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons.
View Dr. Werther’s CV.
John R. Werther, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.S.
EDUCATION
1981 B.S. magna cum laude, State University of New York College of Environmental Science
and Forestry, Syracuse, NY
1986 D.M.D. magna cum laude, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
1988 M.D. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
POST-DOCTORAL TRAINING
1985-86 Research Fellow, Department of Orthopedic Research, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Boston, MA
1986-88 Resident, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1988-89 Intern, General Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1989-91 Chief Resident, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1991 Fellow, Facial Esthetic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Clinical Surgical Fellowship, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation
LICENSURE
1985 Dentistry, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1990 Medicine, Tennessee
1991 Medicine, California
1992 Dentistry, Tennessee
CERTIFICATION
1985 National Board of Dental Examiners
1989 National Board of Medical Examiners
1993 American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, recertified 2001
1994 American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
1991-2001 Assistant Professor, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
2007- Associate Clinical Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS
1992-01 Active Staff, Vanderbilt University Hospital
2007-
1992-2001 Assistant Chief, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nashville VA Medical Center
2001- Staff (WOC), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nashville VA Medical Center
1992-93 Assistant Chief, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Metro-Nashville General Hospital
1992- Surgical Staff, Baptist Hospital
1992- Surgical Staff, Centennial Medical Center
AWARDS AND HONORS
1977 Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America>
1981 Alpha Xi Sigma Honor Society
1982 NIDR Summer Research Fellowship
1986 Omicron Kappa Upsilon
1986 Harvard Dental Alumni Gold Medal Award
1986 Nesbett Award for Excellence in Clinical Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
1986 Senior Dental Award, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
1986 Student Radiology Award, American Academy of Dental Radiology
1986 Senior Dental Award, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
1986 Alpha Omega Scholarship Award
1991 Clinical Surgical Fellowship, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation
1995 Physician’s Recognition Award (3 year), American Medical Association.
1998 Physician’s Recognition Award (3 year), American Medical Association.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES
1982-01 American Association of Dental Research
1982-01 American Association of Dental Schools
1983- American Dental Association
1986- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
1986-03 American Medical Association
1991- Nashville Dental Society
1991- Tennessee Dental Association
1991- Nashville Academy of Medicine
1991- Tennessee Medical Association
1992- American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
1992- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
1992- Tennessee Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
1993- Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
1994- American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
1995- American College of Surgeons, Fellow
1999-04 H.William Scott Society
2008- Academy of Osseointegration
COMMITTEES
1993-95: Vanderbilt University Hospital OR Subcommittee on Facial Implants
1993-99: Vanderbilt University Hospital Value Analysis Committee
1993-96: Nashville Dental Society Bylaw and Constitution Committee
1994-96: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Membership Committee
1994-01: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Admissions Committee
1994-7: AAOMS Trauma Clinical Interest Group Planning Committee
1995-96, 08- Board of Trustees, Nashville Dental Society
1995-2006: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation Fellowship Committee
1995-2004: AAOMS Alternate Delegate, Tennessee Society of OMS
1995-6: Vanderbilt Order Entry Steering Committee
1996-8: Oral Examination Committee, American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
1996-01: Laser Safety Committee, Vanderbilt University Hospital
1996-8: Secretary-Treasurer, AAOMS Trauma Clinical Interest Group
1998-00: Vice President, AAOMS Trauma Clinical Interest Group
1996-00: AAOMS Special Committee on OMS Educational Tracks
1997-03: AAOMS Committee on Residency Education and Training
1997-00: Tennessee Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities
1997-9: Secretary/Treasurer, Tennessee Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
1999-01: Vice President, Tennessee Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
1998-9: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Multi-Media Task Force
1998-9: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program Task Force
1998-01: AAFPRS Spring/Fall Program 2001 CME Subcommittee
1999-01: VUH Pediatric Surgery Committee
2001-03: President, Tennessee Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
2002-04: Chairman, AAOMS Committee on Residency Education and Training
2003-: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Oral Surgery Consultant, Tennessee Board of Dentistry
2003–08: Doral Dental Peer Review Committee, OMS consultant
2003-05: Past President, Tennessee Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
2004-: Baptist Hospital OR Committee
EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILTIES
1995-: Reviewer, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics
1996-: Reviewer, Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal
1998-01:Editor, Aesthetic Facial Surgery Section, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Knowledge Update, Volume III
1999-: Reviewer, American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery
1999-: Editorial Board, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Section, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics
2000-: Reviewer, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
2001-: Reviewer, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Bone physiology/osteoinduction
Clinical evaluation of TMJ surgery outcomes
Facial cosmetic/reconstructive surgery outcome analysis
FUNDED GRANTS
Office of Naval Research
Co-Principal Investigator (with Herbert S. Schwartz, M.D.)
Laser-Hard Tissue Interaction: A Canine Survival Study Examining the Histologic Effects of the FEL on Bone
INVENTIONS
1. Werther Orbital/Eyelid Retractor, Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. (Cat. #: 01-0202)
2. Werther Septal Elevator, Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc.
(Cat. #: LD-0338)
3. Suspension Screw-Plate, Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc.
(Cat. #: 80-0146)
4. Inferior Turbinate Fracture-Elevator, Howmedica-Leibinger, Inc (#CD 224)
5. Werther Sagittal Bone Clamp, KLS-Martin, LLP. (Cat. #01-006-50)
6. Werther Nasal Projection Caliper, KLS-Martin, LLP. (Cat. #01-006-51)
PUBLICATIONS
1. Werther JR: Ketamine anesthesia. Anesthesia Progress 32:185-188, 1985.
2. Moore PA, Werther JR, Seldin EB, Stephens CM: Analgesic regimens for third molar surgery: pharmacologic and behavioral considerations. JADA 113(5):739-744, 1986.
3. Hall HD, Werther JR: Conventional alveolar cleft surgery. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 3(3):609-616, 1991.
4. Spampata R, Werther JR, Hauschka PV: Accelerated osteoinduction in the absence of bone matrix particles in a rat model system. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 50:140-151, 1992.
5. Werther JR, Richardson G, McIlwain MR: Nasal tube switch: Converting from a nasal to an oral endotracheal tube without extubation. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 52:994-996, 1994.
6. Werther JR, Hall HD, Gibbs SJ: Disc position before and after modified condylotomy in 80 symptomatic T-M joints. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 79:668-679,1995.
7. Werther JR: Full thickness skin grafting of postsurgical oral defects: short and long-termoutcomes. Discussion. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 53:1002-1003, 1995 .
8. Werther JR: Periorbital surgery as an adjunct to orthognathic surgery. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 8(1):77-93, 1996
9. Werther JR, Freeman, JP: Biologic basis of primary wound care. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 8(4):563-574, 1996
10. Werther JR: External rhinoplasty approach for repair of post-traumatic nasal deformities. J Cranio-Maxillofac Trauma 2(4):12-19, 1996
11. Hall HD, Werther JR: Results of reoperation after failed modified condylotomy. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 55:1250-53, 1997
12. Werther JR: Cutaneous approaches to the lower lid and orbit. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 56:60-65,1998.
13. Bobo M, Werther JR: Self-induced displacement of a maxillary molar into the lateral pharyngeal space. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 27:38-39, 1998.
14. Werther JR: Retromolar intubation. Discussion. J Oral Maxillofacial Surg 56: 305-306, 1998
15. Werther JR, Freeman JP: Changes in nasal tip projection and rotation after septo-rhinoplasty. A cephalometric analysis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 56:728-732, 1998.
16. Sjursen RC, Legan H, Werther JR: Assessment, documentation, and treatment of a developing facial asymmetry following early childhood injury. Angle Orthodontist 69(1):89-94, 1999
17. Werther JR: Reconstruction of internal orbital fractures. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 11(2):211-223, 1999
18. Werther, JR: Comparison of Condylar and Disk Positions after Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy and Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy with and without a Lefort I Osteotomy. Discussion. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 60:1432-34,2002.
TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS
1. McKenna SJ, Roser SM, Werther JR: Management of the medically compromised patient in Impacted Teeth, Alling CC, Helfrick JF, Alling RD (eds), Philadelphia, PA W.B. Saunders Co., 1993.
2. Werther JR: Posttraumatic Rhinoplasty in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Knowledge Update II, Kelly JPW, Kent JN, Sinn DP (eds) Philadelphia PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 1995.
3. Werther JR, Tanner J: Basic rhinoplasty in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Knowledge Update II, Kelly JPW, Kent JN, Sinn DP (ed), Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 1995.
4. Werther JR: Complications of Facial Cosmetic Surgery in Complications, Treatment Failures, and Poor Results in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kaban LB, Pogrel MA, Perrott DH (eds.), Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 1996.
5. Werther JR, Donlevy JL: Secondary Revision of Soft Tissue Injury: Scar Analysis, W-plasty, Geometric Broken Line Closure, and Z-plasty in Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma, Fonseca RJ, Walker RV, Betts N, Barber HD (eds), 2nd ed., Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 1997
6. Werther JR: Special Soft Tissue Injuries in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Fonseca RJ (ed), Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 2000.
7. Werther JR, Hall HD: Vertical Ramus Osteotomy and Inverted-L Osteotomy in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Fonseca RJ (ed), Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 2000.
8. Werther JR: Blepharoplasty in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Fonseca RJ (ed), Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 2000.
9. Werther JR: Esthetic Facial Surgery and Infections, in Oral and Maxillofacial Infections, 4th ed, Topazian RG, Goldberg MH, Hupp JR (eds), Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 2002.
10. Werther JR, Donlevy JL: Secondary Revision of Soft Tissue Injury: Scar Analysis, W-plasty, Geometric Broken Line Closure, and Z-plasty in Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma, Fonseca RJ, Walker RV, Betts N, Barber HD (eds), 3rd ed., Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders Co., 2005.
11. Werther JR: Facial Wound Repair in Decision-making in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Laskin DM,AO Abubaker (eds). Quintessence Publishing Company 2007.
12. Werther JR: Facial Scar Revision in Decision-making in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Laskin DM,AO Abubaker (eds). Quintessence Publishing Company 2007.
ABSTRACTS
1. Werther JR, Seldin EB, Stephens CM, Moore PA: Timing of non-addictive analgesic administration for postoperative pain following extraction. J Dent Res 65 (Special issue):533A, 1986.
2. Werther JR, Spampata R, Hauschka PV: Enhanced osteoinduction in a rat bone model system. J Dent Res 66 (Special issue):912A, 1987.
3. Spampata R, Werther JR, Hauschka PV: Accelerated osteoinduction in a rat bone implant model. J Bone Min Res (Suppl 1):410A, 1987.
4. Werther JR, Richardson G, McIlwain MR: Nasal Tube Switch: Converting from Nasal to Oro-Endotracheal Tube without Extubation. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Suppl 3 51(8):168, 1993.
5. Werther JR, Gibbs SJ, Hall HD: Disc position after modified condylotomy. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Suppl 2 52(8):99-100, 1994.
6. Freeman JP, Werther JR: Cephalometric analysis of nasal tip projection and rotation after septo-rhinoplasty. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Suppl 4 53(8):118, 1995.
7. Werther JR, Gibbs SJ, Navarro EZ: Disc position before and after sagittal split osteotomy. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Suppl 4 53(8):81, 1995.
8. Bobo ML, Werther JR: Brow position in the male patient. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Suppl 3 55(8):47, 1997.
9. Bobo ML, Werther JR: Complications after modified condylotomy. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Suppl 1 57(8):66-7, 1999.
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