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David Bryan Powers

Professor of Surgery
Surgery, Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery
DUMC 2955, Durham, NC 27710
DUMC 2955, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. Powers currently serves as a Professor of Surgery, and Director of the Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Program, at Duke University Medical Center.  Additionally, he is the Fellowship Director for the Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship within the Department of Surgery. His surgical experience in facial trauma was attained during a military career highlighted by the acute management of ballistic and other injuries of warfare, as well as performing secondary and tertiary facial reconstructive surgery during various staff assignments at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center – Bethesda and the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland.  He lectures and has published extensively on the management of ballistic and high-energy transfer injuries to the craniomaxillofacial skeleton, comprehensive reconstruction techniques for facial trauma, and the use of computer-aided surgical planning and patient-specific implants for anatomic rehabilitation after catastrophic craniomaxillofacial injuries.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Surgery · 2021 - Present Surgery, Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Surgery
Professor in Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences · 2021 - Present Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in Neurosurgery · 2022 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery

In the News


Published February 5, 2025
David Powers, MD, Named President of ABOMS
Published October 22, 2024
The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) Honors Past President and Welcomes New Leadership
Published February 26, 2023
Duke Basketball Player Bounces Back from Injury with 3D Printing

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Recent Publications


Open Versus Closed Management for Gunshot Wounds of the Mandible - Which More Frequently Achieves Satisfactory Bony Union? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal Article J Oral Maxillofac Surg · April 12, 2025 PURPOSE: Closed management of high-energy mandibular injuries has been considered the gold standard for many years, but open management is preferable for its shorter overall treatment time. At present, there is a paucity of evidence on which to base manage ... Full text Link to item Cite

A Shift in Conceptual Thinking of Panfacial Fracture Sequencing: The Major Fragment Theory.

Journal Article Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr · March 2025 STUDY DESIGN: A literature review of relevant publications regarding panfacial fracture sequencing. OBJECTIVE: To review the current landscape of sequencing of panfacial trauma and propose the utilization of the Major Fragment Theory when conventional sequ ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite
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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio · 2000 M.D.
University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry · 1990 D.M.D.