Meet the Director — Professor Chi Yang

Director and Course Leader of the TMJ Competence Centre

Professor Chi Yang is an internationally recognised temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgeon whose contributions have helped redefine modern TMJ surgery. His work in minimally invasive TMJ surgery, endoscopic disc repositioning, and digital maxillofacial reconstruction is recognised worldwide. Having performed over 10,000 endoscopic disc repositioning procedures, he has established an internationally cited benchmark for surgical practice, and his precision and clinical outcomes have earned him wide regard among peers.

As a clinical scientist at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Professor Yang pioneered the first MRI-based diagnostic and follow-up protocol for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). His evidence-based imaging system is now widely used for preoperative assessment and postoperative evaluation, improving diagnostic accuracy and informing international standards for TMJ surgical decision-making.

Throughout his career, Professor Yang has been inspired and supported by the global temporomandibular joint and maxillofacial surgery community. The surgical insight, academic rigour, and dedication of distinguished experts — including Joseph McCain, William Harrison Bell, Peter Quinn, Harry Schwarz, Ulrich Joos, Florencio Monje, and Gerhard Undt — have shaped his professional development. He is equally grateful for the support of his Chinese mentors, Academician Qiu Weiliu and Academician Zhang Zhiyuan, whose trust and mentorship enabled him to pursue innovation internationally and raise standards in TMJ surgery.

Building on this legacy, Professor Yang remains committed to advancing temporomandibular joint surgery towards a future defined by precision, minimally invasive techniques, and digital integration — through scientific discovery, surgical innovation, and the development of a globally accessible educational ecosystem.

Notable Achievements

• 368 scientific papers, including 191 SCI-indexed articles, spanning TMJ surgery, craniofacial reconstruction, oncology, vascular anomalies, and surgical digitalisation
• Recipient of multiple national and international awards for scientific innovation, clinical excellence, and educational leadership
• Lead editor of authoritative monographs and textbooks on oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Founder of China's largest TMJ clinical consortium, integrating 154 hospitals nationwide to establish unified TMJ clinical standards
• Expert in endoscopic TMJ disc reduction surgery, having performed over 10,000 procedures and established one of the world's largest clinical datasets
• Innovator of an exclusive TMJ surgical system, including the internationally recognised Yang's Endoscopic Disc Reduction technique and an advanced digital workflow
• Actively promotes global academic exchange through collaborations with leading institutions in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia