Patient sits in on bench between his surgeons outside of outpatient building

From left: oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Chi Viet, patient Bryce Yamate, and head and neck surgeon, Dr. Paul Walker.

Sixteen-year-old Bryce Yamate, a high school sophomore from San Dimas, California, had his life upended when he was diagnosed with ameloblastoma, a rare and aggressive tumor threatening his jaw and teeth. His journey was not just about battling a medical condition but also about regaining his confidence and ability to eat, speak, and smile like any other teenager.

The journey began when Bryce noticed a bump in his mouth, where a tooth should have been. What Bryce had assumed was a minor issue turned out to be a disfiguring tumor, which had already caused his jaw and teeth to shift.

Chi Viet, MD, DDS, PhD, FACS, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializing in head and neck pathology at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH), explained the gravity of the situation. "We found that Bryce's tumor had begun to cause significant damage to his jaw," Viet said. "Surgery was needed to completely remove the tumor so that it does not continue to disfigure not just his bite, but also his facial profile."

The diagnosis marked the beginning of a series of medical decisions that would shape his future. His treatment plan would include the "Jaw in a Day" procedure, a groundbreaking surgical method that would not only remove the tumor but also reconstruct his jaw using his fibula bone, the bone in the lower leg, and restore him with a full complement of teeth using dental implants, all in one day.

Viet was joined in the operating room by Paul Walker, MD, a head and neck surgeon, who harvested the fibula while Viet was removing the tumor.

"We don't just transplant the bone," Walker said. "We also connect the blood vessels from the fibula to those in the neck. It's a self-transplant."

Bryce's surgery lasted seven hours. The "Jaw in a Day" procedure, enabled by 3D printing and precise surgical planning, condenses what would usually be a multi-stage, years-long process into just one day. Only a few physicians in the United States routinely perform this highly specialized surgery, and LLUH currently has one of the busiest “jaw in a day” practices in the country.

Though Bryce is still healing, he is optimistic and looking forward to the future. "I'm really excited to eat Korean fried chicken again," he said.

Bryce's journey has also changed his perspective on life. "It taught me to live every moment to the fullest," he said. "You never know when things can change, and you have to enjoy life, even when it's hard." His advice to others facing similar surgeries is simple: "Take it slowly, and don't rush the healing process. It may be uncomfortable for a while, but it will be worth it."

Looking back on his journey, Bryce is deeply grateful for the support from his family, friends, and medical team. His twin brother even threw him a surprise party when he returned home from the hospital. Bryce is especially thankful for Viet, Walker, and the entire team that helped make his recovery possible.

Watch an episode of Life on the Line to learn more about Jaw in a day.