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About Dr. Santiago Chaves · El Poblado · Medellín

Dr. Santiago Chaves: oral and maxillofacial surgeon and craniofacial subspecialist in Medellín

I'm Santiago Chaves Villa. My patients know me as Dr. Santiago Chaves. I'm an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and craniofacial subspecialist, and I see patients at 5:Cinco Face Lab, office 515, Edificio Forum (Calle 7 Sur #42-70, El Poblado, Medellín).

My work is to look at the face as a whole: teeth, jaws, joint, airway and proportion. Many people come to me after years of treating an isolated symptom. The first thing I do is listen and understand. Then comes the plan, which doesn't always include surgery.

Why this work

Maxillofacial surgery brings together two things: the precision of science and something very everyday, like chewing, breathing, sleeping or recognizing yourself in the mirror. With a good diagnosis, a problem someone has carried for years can begin to change. Not always with surgery, and never with promises. My part is to explain clearly, plan carefully and stay close, before, during and after.

Training

• DDS, Universidad de Antioquia (2009).
• Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Universidad CES (2015).
• High-specialty training in pediatric maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery, UAEM (Morelos, Mexico).
• Practicing as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon since 2015.

Teaching and academic work

I'm postgraduate faculty at Universidad CES and Universidad de Antioquia. Guiding those who are in training is another way of caring: what you learn to explain clearly, you do better in the operating room.

I have co-authored papers published in the Universidad CES repository, including a case report on a surgical alternative for reducing and fixing zygomatic arch fractures (2021) and a systematic review on the risks of zygomatic implants (2025). Both are in Spanish.

What I do

• Orthognathic surgery in Medellín: when it's indicated, the process with your orthodontist and 3D planning.
• Underbite (Class III) correction: when the lower jaw sits forward relative to the upper jaw.
• Orthognathic surgery when orthodontics isn't enough (in Spanish): a bite that doesn't fit and jaw discrepancies.
• Sleep apnea, snoring and the jaws (in Spanish): when the position of the jaws affects the airway.
• Jaw pain and TMJ (in Spanish): pain, noises or locking of the joint.
• Facial asymmetry and the chin (in Spanish): asymmetries of bony origin and a receding chin.
• Comprehensive maxillofacial evaluation (in Spanish): the consultation to understand before deciding.

How I work

• With your orthodontist, always. When there is a surgical plan, coordinated work with the orthodontist is non-negotiable for me. I aim for at least one joint evaluation.
• 3D virtual planning. Bone movement is planned in 3D shortly before surgery (if there is prior orthodontics, once it has done its part). From that plan, cutting guides and splints are designed and 3D-printed (CAD/CAM) to carry the plan into the operating room. It's one of the areas I enjoy most; I also advise other surgeons on their surgical planning.
• A written plan. After the evaluation you receive a written summary of the plan, as soon as possible.
• If you live outside Medellín, the first step is a virtual consultation by video call (Google Meet), scheduled by WhatsApp taking your time zone into account, and you can send your studies by WhatsApp. Medellín is on Colombia time (COT, UTC−5), with no daylight saving changes. I see patients in English and Spanish.
• No promises. Every body responds differently. What I do offer is an honest diagnosis and close support. If you don't need a surgeon, I'll tell you.

Where I see patients

My practice is 5:Cinco Face Lab: Calle 7 Sur #42-70, office 515, Edificio Forum, El Poblado, Medellín. That's where I do evaluations and follow-up.

How to find me without confusion

Several maxillofacial surgeons with similar names work in Medellín, some even in the same area. If you are looking for my practice, these are my details: Dr. Santiago Chaves (Santiago Chaves Villa), 5:Cinco Face Lab, office 515, Edificio Forum, WhatsApp +57 324 526 8748 and Instagram @santiago_chavesmaxilofacial. My only website is drsantiagochaves.com.

Message me

If you want to understand what's going on with your bite, your jaws, your sleep or your face, message me on WhatsApp. It's a messages-only line, no calls. We'll book an evaluation in El Poblado or, if you live outside Medellín, a virtual consultation.

Message me on WhatsApp

+57 324 526 8748 (messages only)