Operate. Adapt. Load.
Adaptability is the single greatest trait of an effective full-arch surgeon.
Early in my career, when a difficult case was encountered (low-density bone, inadequate bone, poor AP spread, etc.), it was easy to think,
“Well, what can I do? I can only work with what I have, and I’ve done my best.”
As I became more experienced, my mentality shifted to,
“I’ve encountered a problem. Here are my options. Here’s what I’m going to do.”
Learning to adapt intra-operatively starts with a mindset shift.
Regardless of your experience level, avoid the victim mentality that there’s nothing else you can do because the patient has this or that surgical constraint.
Start exercising your full-arch brain and think through all the possible options for solving that problem, both surgically and prosthetically. I promise you, there are more ways to solve the problem than you think.
Part of learning to adapt in these situations intraoperatively is simply learning to make a decision. As Navy SEAL Jocko Willink says, “Relax. Look around. Make a call.” Start learning to take decisive action even when it’s difficult. That’s the first step in being adaptable.
As your experience grows, your ability to more quickly and easily find a solution will improve. But you have to start working that adaptability thinking muscle early. It has to become a habit. This is true whether you are a surgical provider, a restorative provider, or both.
Operate. Adapt. Load.
“Adaptability is being able to adjust to any situation at any given time.”
John Wooden