"I love coming to work and providing services that have such an important impact in a person's life," Dr. Frank Yeh, the owner of Coastal Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, declares.

Initially, this Lancaster, Pennsylvania native dreamed of having an impact in a very different field: he majored in exercise science at the University of Pittsburgh, intent on pursuing a career as a strength and conditioning coach in pro football. Then, deciding to pursue a more realistic goal, he entered dental school. Following a surgical internship at Rutgers University, he completed an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Nova Southeastern University and Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Maxillofacial surgery is a specialization that combines medical and dental science to treat trauma and diseases affecting the head and neck. Witnessing the powerful impact of this surgery on a patient's health and well-being fueled Dr. Yeh's passion for his field.

Not wanting to practice in the Pennsylvania cold or the Florida heat, Dr. Yeh thought Hampton Roads would be a temperate in-between option. He, his wife, Cherissa, and their three children-Natalie, 7, Elijah, 6, and Harrison, almost 3-now live in the Hickory area of Chesapeake.

Dr. Yeh joined Coastal Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery eight years ago and purchased the practice five years later.  He and oral surgeons Dr. Frank Beale and Dr. Richard Quigg offer their patients more than 70 years of experience.  In addition, their highly-skilled 20-member staff has a combined 60 years of experience.

"From the front office to the exam room, our practice is made up of caring professionals who take your oral health very seriously," Dr. Yeh says. "We think of our patients like family and hope that they think of us that way, too. We want everyone to feel comfortable and safe when they walk through our front door."

Any nervousness that patients might feel about visiting an oral surgeon disappears when they enter the practice's front office. The laid-back coastal décor includes soothing beach scenes while the front desk staff greets everyone with warm, friendly smiles. That welcoming feeling can be expected every step of the way, whether a patient is visiting for a single consultation or a multi-step treatment plan.

With locations in the Redmill and First Colonial areas of Virginia Beach and the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake, the practice specializes in dental implants, corrective jaw surgery, wisdom tooth removal, tooth extraction, and bone grafts.

Dr. Yeh performs many types of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Still, dental implants and corrective jaw surgery are two procedures he often recommends for lasting improvement in a patient's health and appearance.

When a tooth is lost, there are several ways to restore normal mouth functions.  Crowns, bridges, and dentures allow one to smile and bite. Dental implants, however, are long-lasting, durable tooth replacements. Small titanium screws inside the jawbone act as roots, providing a solid base for the artificial tooth.

"A dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth," Dr. Yeh points out. "It's permanent, can be chewed on, and cleaned as if it was a natural tooth."

Dr. Yeh can use the same implant techniques to secure complete sets of dentures. Using specialized x-rays, the entire procedure is planned out and usually completed in one sitting.

"We can insert eight to 10 implants to secure dentures," he explains. "After the procedure, patients have the comfort of permanently secured dentures versus having to take them in and out. They can be cleaned just like ordinary teeth, though I recommend a water pic to clean under the dentures."

Although most people like to keep their natural teeth intact for as long as possible, sometimes medical conditions do not make that advisable. Dr. Yeh remembers one patient was losing teeth due to severe cavities and bone loss; it did not make sense to try and save the remaining teeth. The patient resisted Dr. Yeh's recommendation to go with a complete set of dentures secured with implants. The patient returned two years later because his remaining natural teeth were also falling out.

"We removed his remaining teeth and gave him fixed dentures in one day," Dr. Yeh says. "He walked out with the biggest smile ever.  I was so touched to see him smile like that after all he had been through.  It shows how implants can improve someone's life."

According to Dr. Yeh, corrective jaw surgery is more common than many realize, especially in people between the ages of 18 to 35. If one jaw is set too far back, or if the bone on one side of the jaw outgrows the bone on the other side, problems related to biting, chewing, and smiling can occur. Often such patients are referred to Dr. Yeh by their orthodontist because corrective surgery is first needed before braces can be effective. This in-hospital procedure repositions the jaw in a more ideal position.

Sometimes, jaw surgery is not just about improving one's appearance but getting a restful night's sleep.

"Research shows that corrective jaw surgery can help with issues related to sleep apnea," Dr. Yeh explains. "Not only are the teeth connected to the jaw, but the tongue, neck muscles and the airway are as well. If your jaw is set back too far, your airway is going to be much smaller, making you more susceptible to sleep apnea."

"One young man referred by his orthodontist said that besides not liking the way he looked from the side, he also had trouble sleeping," Dr. Yeh recalls. "Even though he was getting eight hours of sleep each night, he was waking up every morning feeling exhausted. After we fixed his jaw, he was able to breathe better-more deeply and easily. With just six hours of sleep, this young man was waking up feeling refreshed. He was so happy."

Such cases bring Dr. Yeh a feeling of deep satisfaction.
"With oral and maxillofacial surgery, we can certainly improve a person's appearance," he concludes with a smile, "but most importantly, we can improve the quality of a person's life."