Learn More about Our Practice

We’d like to personally invite you to explore what makes our practice unique and special.

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Hiran Fernando

Dr. Hiran Fernando was born in the Bronx, New York and grew up in Belvidere, Illinois. He attended college at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He then went on to complete dental school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After dental school, he completed a one year internship/teaching fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The Ohio State University. He then completed a four year residency program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Rochester in New York in 2011. After completion of his specialty training, he became Board Certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Fernando is an accomplished concert violinist, enjoys cooking, biking, traveling and spending time with his family.

Dr. Fernando is a member of the following professional organizations:

  • American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Diplomate
  • American Dental Association
  • Missouri Dental Association
  • American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
  • Missouri Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Greater St. Louis Dental Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Greater St. Louis Dental Society

Dr. Scott Nolen

Dr. Scott Nolen is a native of Carbondale, Illinois and did his undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He graduated from Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis and entered a four year residency program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas Texas in 1985. After completion of his specialty training, he became Board Certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Nolen also enjoys a number of sports, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Nolen is a member of the following professional organizations:

  • American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Diplomate
  • American Dental Association
  • Missouri Dental Association
  • American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
  • Missouri Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Greater St. Louis Dental Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Greater St. Louis Dental Society

Dr. John Chiapel

Originally from St. Louis, Dr. Chiapel attended De Smet Jesuit High School. He then completed his undergraduate studies at Regis University in Denver, Colorado with degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and Biology. He went on to complete dental school at Loyola University School of Dentistry in Chicago, IL. Dr. Chiapel then completed an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency program at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, MO and has been in a well-respected private practice at his Wildwood, MO location since 2001. He will continue working there while working with Gateway Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of St. Louis starting in 2023.

Dr. Chiapel has three incredible college-aged boys and enjoys spending time skiing, various sports, and hanging out with them. He is also a Commercial Pilot with a love of aviation shared by all his boys.

Dr. Chiapel is a member of the following professional organizations:

  • American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • American College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • International Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Missouri Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Greater St. Louis Dental Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Greater St. Louis Dental Society
  • American Dental Association

Our patients say

“ I had my wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Fernando and his team (shout out to Sam, who is also excellent). I could not have asked for a better experience both physically and emotionally. Huge thank you to the whole office for their kindness and expertise. Thank goodness all four wisdom teeth are now out of my head, but if I ever had to do it again, I'd go back to Gateway!”

Bronwyn R.

“ I saw Dr. Fernando for an implant, he was very quick and made me feel so comfortable. The whole staff was incredible and Andrea was very thorough with the whole process. Highly recommend!”

Abby T.

“ Everyone from the staff at the front desk to Dr. Fernando were professional and very warm. I appreciated that they took great care to make sure I knew what to expect during prep and after and made sure I didn’t have any questions. The surgery was so quick and they made sure I was okay before I left with my rider. I got a lot of information for my healing and feel great after following their instructions. Thank you Tina and Dr Fernando and everyone else.”

Jessica M.

"Dr. Nolan pulled my wisdom tooth and was the most compassionate doctor ever!"

Marnisha C.

Video Testimonials

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