Meet Dr.Jonathan Michel
Dr. Jonathan Michel is a dual board-certified specialist in oral, maxillofacial, and facial surgery known for his advanced training, patient-focused care, and consistently excellent outcomes. His approach combines precision and sensitivity to ensure each treatment feels personal, balanced, and results-driven.
Q&A with Dr.JonATHAN Michel
We asked Dr. Michel a few questions to better understand
his approach, philosophy, and what patients can expect
when working with him.
his approach, philosophy, and what patients can expect
when working with him.
What’s your favorite
part of what you do?
I love the opportunity to connect with people and help them solve their problem. Each person who comes to see me places an incredible amount of trust in me to treat them well and getting to know my patients allows me to do that. People are all different, they have different fears, motivators, concerns, and needs. While surgeries may be similar for many different patients the way those patients experience the surgical journey from consultation to post-operative healing will be different. Knowing more about "you" ensures I can make that journey smoother.
How do you approach cosmetic procedures?
I believe that cosmetic surgery is a complex interplay of facial bones, muscles, fat, and skin and how those tissues are affected by aging. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon I spent my entire specialty training working on the face, with a heavy emphasis on the facial bones and manipulating them to build a better foundation. In fellowship I further refined those skills to more delicately address the skin and soft tissues overlying those bones. Through all of that training I realized that rejuvenating the face is just like constructing a house. You can't place a roof without a frame and you can't have a frame without a foundation. In the face, the bones are the foundation and need to be in the correct position and volume to give the skin and muscles the best opportunity. The muscles and the fat are the frame, this determines the proportions of the face, and in some places shrink with aging while in others the tissues become more prominent. Lastly, the skin is like the roof or the siding, it will only look as good as the quality of everything else underneath it. While the skin is what everybody sees and focuses on, it is the final piece of any facial rejuvenation and needs to be part of a comprehensive plan to help people look and feel their best.
Why did you choose to be an OMFS surgeon?
When I was younger and imagining my future career I always knew I wanted to help people and use my hands to do it. Unlike medications where things slowly titrate to solve problems, surgery identifies problems and treats them immediately. Being able to provide instant relief to a person is the most rewarding aspect of my profession. I love what I do because I know each and every day I am able to correct a problem and help a person in need.
Credentials & Experience
Board Certifications & Hospital Affiliations
Dr. Michel is certified by both the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery — a distinction held by few surgeons nationwide.
He maintains hospital privileges at RWJ Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center.
He maintains hospital privileges at RWJ Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center.
