Meet Dr. Luis Vega, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon whose passion for surgery was sparked during his early training in Costa Rica. While rotating through the Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic at the Costa Rican National Children’s Hospital, he witnessed firsthand how surgical care could transform lives—an experience that shaped the course of his career.
In 2000, Dr. Vega moved to the United States to deepen his training and broaden his impact. He began with an intensive oral surgery internship at Loma Linda University, followed by a four-year oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Driven by a commitment to education, Dr. Vega went on to serve as a full-time faculty member at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, then later as the residency program director at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Over nearly a decade in leadership, he played a key role in shaping the next generation of oral surgeons while contributing meaningfully to the advancement of the field.
Dr. Vega’s clinical interests include full-arch and zygomatic dental implant solutions, surgical complication management, and mentoring young surgeons in both academic and private practice settings. He is known for his ability to handle complex cases with clarity and care, and for his calm, solutions-focused approach to every surgical challenge.
His early years, enriched by the outdoors and family in Costa Rica, have always been a touchstone for him. After 17 years of shaping future oral surgeons, he has decided to bring his family closer to the natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle he cherishes. Now residing in the Pacific Northwest with his French wife Marina and their children, Eva, Elena, and Santiago, Dr. Vega is eager to create new memories akin to those of his cherished childhood.
As a resident of the Issaquah community, he is excited to offer not just exceptional patient care, advanced dental implant technology, and extensive surgical experience, but also to welcome you into this new and exciting chapter of their lives. Dr. Vega looks forward to providing you with the highest standard of care and to becoming an integral part of your journey towards optimal oral health.
Training & Credentials
- Oral Surgery Residency – University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Internship – Loma Linda University, California
- Dental Degree – University of Costa Rica
- Board Certification – American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Academic Contributions
- Edited multiple surgical textbooks, including titles on outpatient anesthesia, reoperations, and complications in oral surgery
- Authored numerous journal articles and book chapters across a wide range of specialty topics
- Lectures nationally and internationally on oral surgery complications and zygomatic implant techniques
