AOX surgery will test us as practitioners. It will shape and mold each of us. We can either choose to be blown by the surgical winds of chance, or take control and help stoke the fires that will form the full-arch character traits for which we will be known by.
While this article may not contain hard-hitting clinical content, do not take it for granted. For those wanting to seriously pursue full-arch surgery, this may very well be one of the most important articles yet.
While AOX surgery is a blend of many different clinical skills, successful surgical outcomes are also a combination of personality and character traits that must be strategically developed.
If your goal is to do only a few arches a year – then maybe the list below is not quite as important. However, if being a skilled, high-volume, well-respected AOX provider is the focus, then understanding and working on the 5 areas below will pay significant dividends.
The Top 5 AOX Character Traits
1. Humility
In the ever present “perfect” world of social media, this one is all too often hard to come by. Nonetheless, a little humility will go a long way in this field. It is not only well received by referrals, but it will be one of the most important character traits that will keep you thinking sharp surgically.
It is absolutely uncanny, that every single time I have gotten the slightest bit cocky – without fail – a case has quickly and without warning, humbled me.
Not to mention, one of the most humbling cases I had occurred recently when someone within our group practice had flown out to observe with me – and I was unable to load the case. Humility had been served to me on a silver platter with front row spectators.
While humility is simply a good way to “live life” – there is a very practical reason that this character trait is wise in full-arch surgery.
Remaining humble helps keep our treatment planning sharp, our surgical contingencies well accounted for, and our assessment of complications realistic.
When we lose humility – we overestimate what we can do surgically and underestimate potential complications and surgical fall-out. A bad combination to say the least.
2. Confidence
Being humble does not mean we lack confidence. It means we are not cocky. Being confident, not cocky, is a must in full-arch surgery.
Confidence is a realistic understanding and application of our surgical skills. We know what we can do and we have confidence that we can do it well. Being cocky, however, is feeling like we can do anything, regardless of our skill-set or training.
Furthermore, being confident does not mean blindly tackling every case. It means understanding our current surgical skill-set and confidently knowing how and where we can consistently operate with success.
In this sense, confidence and wisdom go hand in hand.
We must be confident about what we can do surgically, and yet, also be wise about the cases in which we choose to be confident.
3. Passion
Prior to finding AOX, oral surgery was simply a job to me. And to be honest, I was burned out. It was a good job, but I wanted to get through my day, get home, and not think about “work”.
When I found full-arch surgery, for the first time in my career I became truly passionate about what I did. I became enthralled with my work.
I began to (and still do) think about and analyze cases before surgery, during surgery, after surgery, and every time in between. I would envision the surgery and how it could be done differently, see different implant angulations and treatment plans rotating 3-dimensionally in my mind’s eye, and discuss the surgery constantly with colleagues.
Is this level of dedication and passion necessary to become clinically competent at full-arch surgery? No.
But, I do believe finding this passion is necessary for those who want to become truly skilled at this procedure. There are so many different aspects of this surgery, and so many different areas and techniques to “fine-tune”, that in order to truly understand and develop these high level skills, I believe that a degree of passion for the surgery is necessary.
4. Effective Communicator
AOX surgery demands great communication. As the surgeon, you must be able to effectively communicate with both your patient and your referral. Not to mention, being able to lead and communicate with your team is paramount to creating an efficient, well-oiled surgical environment.
Not many people are born with this skill. But being able to lead and communicate can be learned and improved.
I will admit, that this is an area that I don’t always excel at. I can often become frustrated during surgery with my team’s performance during difficult surgical scenarios. In reality, this frustration is because I have not effectively communicated to my team what I need and why in that moment.
Do not underestimate this skill. It is critical for patients, for optimal prosthetic outcomes, and for efficient surgeries. There are simply too many moving parts in this procedure. Effective communication is a must.
5. Adaptability
We all knew that adaptability was going to make this list. I have mentioned many times before that I feel this is the single greatest character trait of a full-arch surgeon.
Being able to provide multiple treatment plans and seamlessly adapt to the unknown intra-operatively, is the hallmark of a successful full-arch surgeon.
Very few AOX surgeries go perfectly “as planned”. Acknowledge this. And learn to adapt accordingly.
Full-arch surgery is complex, with multiple moving parts, pieces, and team members.
While clinical ability plays an obvious role in the success of the AOX surgeon, the 5 character traits listed above can have an often underestimated, yet profound effect with regards to enhancing full-arch outcomes and the day-to-day life of the AOX surgeon.
“Skills are cheap. Passion is priceless.”
Gary Vaynerchuk