John Zuniga

Dr. John Zuniga is a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, holding the Robert V. Walker D.D.S. Chair in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He serves as Chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, focused on advancing patient care through research, education, and clinical practice. Previously, he spent 13 years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Dentistry, leading the Graduate Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and co-directing the Oral and Maxillofacial Pain and Neurosensory Disorders program.

His clinical expertise includes temporomandibular disorders (TMD), trigeminal nerve microsurgery (over 400 repairs), and chronic orofacial pain conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia and burning mouth syndrome. He also addresses benign pathology, dentoalveolar surgery, and trauma.

Dr. Zuniga’s research emphasizes chronic and acute orofacial pain, trigeminal neurosensory dysfunction, and sensory retraining therapies. He has authored over 160 peer-reviewed works and led 26 grants. Recent clinical trials include evaluating new analgesics and nerve allografts for jaw reconstruction. He holds leadership roles in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and serves on the FDA’s Dental Products Panel.

• Awards: Multiple Gies Awards and Daniel Laskin Award.
• Grants: 26 federal/industry/foundation grants as PI or co-I.
• Leadership: American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Exam Committee (6 years), Editorial Board member for multiple journals.