Introducing... Dr. Shin Hee Jin

For those of you who know us, you may be confused by the title. Dr. Shin has been at EU Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery almost since we've first opened. But we've realized that we never really introduced our doctors properly before (much like that video of the person introducing themselves to their dogs for the first time), and we feel that it's important for our patients to know more about their choice when they decide to proceed with surgery at our clinic.

Below is an interview conducted with Dr. Shin Hee Jin. Enjoy.

1) Self-introduction

An expert who has honed their talent and delved deeply into one specific field. 

I'm Dr. Shin Hee Jin of EU Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 

From the moment I considered the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, I knew that I wanted to do something different. 
While other specialties are also challenging, there is a general perception that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is more difficult, risky, and demanding compared to other dental specialties, and I found that I not only wanted to do it, but also to excel in it.

When you begin your practice as a dentist, you'll typically begin with general dental treatments. The only field where you can gain surgical experience as a dentist is in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

It’s like how young men who are facing mandatory military service might choose to join special forces or the Marines seeking a challenge. 

2) Are you satisfied with your choice of becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?

"It's such a relief. I don't know what I would have done if not for this."

Rather than mindlessly saying that I’m good at something, I believe I chose a field where I could achieve the best results with the limited resources available to me, focusing on what I am best at within my capabilities.

That being said, despite starting as a dentist, if I haven't been performing a certain dental procedure, I won't be very good at it. If I try something I've never done before, I will obviously be worse at it than what I specialize in. I can't even imagine how I would have done in another field.

Additionally, not all oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform double jaw surgery. 

Although there are a lot of doctors these days, the reality is that there are not a lot of opportunities to perform the surgery. Even when given a chance, it's rare to be able to consistently perform them over a long period of time. 

This is why I believe the fact that I've been able to perform surgeries for an extended period after starting this path is a strong indication that I've made the right choice. 

3) Did you dream of becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon since you were young?

Actually, I was just like other kids.

I dreamt of becoming president, a scientist, or an athlete.

Since I’ve always liked making things with my hands or drawing, people around me suggested that I consider becoming a dentist.

Being a dentist would provide stability, have good prospects, and allow me to use my strengths, so I decided to pursue it.

4) If you were good at drawing, why didn't you consider pursing the arts?

I did go to an art academy once. The teacher asked me to draw something, and I drew it so accurately that I actually got scolded for it.

They were expecting more creative and artistic, but I realized I'm more suited to creating things in a realistic and detailed way. That experience made me realize that about myself. 

5) What was the most memorable feedback from a patient?

Some patients bring gifts or write letters, but what really stands out are the patients who came back after their surgeries and cried, saying how thankful they were. 

When they express genuine gratitude and satisfaction for the outcome, I can sometimes feel myself tearing up as well. 

Some patients, on the other hand, don’t tell their friends or family about the surgery, or even try to hide the fact that they had it, acting as if nothing happened.

Once, I was having tea at a cafe and I noticed a patient who had undergone surgery with me at the next table. 

They had been very satisfied with the outcome, so I was about to greet them warmly, but they subtly stopped me with a look. 

I was certain they saw me but deliberately avoided acknowledging me, which I thought was strange, until I realized they were with acquaintances.

Since many people don't notice someone has undergone jaw surgery unless it's been explicitly mentioned, it's possible that the patient had not told their acquaintances about it, which led to this situation.

I guess this is one of the characteristics of jaw surgery.

6) Do you have a particular mindset when treating patients?

"Normal Range"

When I consult with patients, there are instances where, based on the patient’s own standards, they think a certain result will look beautiful, but may appear strange or excessive from the perspective of the general public.

If a patient requests changes that go beyond the normal range and into an abnormal or excessive level, I do not recommend surgery to them.

I only proceed with surgery when improvements can be made within the normal range, and not only the functionality but also the aesthetics can be enhanced.

"Aesthetic Views are Subjective"
When performing surgery, I never assume that the patient will definitely be satisfied just because I think I’m improving something.

The concept of beauty is subjective.

If I had only performed a few hundred cases, I might be overconfident, thinking 'This will definitely satisfy them! I’m the best!' But after performing thousands of surgeries, I’ve come to realize that the more experience you gain, the more humble you become, just like the saying 'The more ripe the grain, the lower it bows.'

Through numerous trials, errors, and unexpected reactions, I’ve learned a great deal.

7) The more skilled you are, the more genuine the consultation is.

The ideal surgical outcome begins with finding a mutually satisfying agreement between what the patient expected before the surgery and the range of improvements I can realistically achieve through the procedure.

These days, there are various 3D simulation programs that can help predict the results before surgery, and these tools are being used as part of the process.

However, even 3D programs can sometimes have discrepancies between the predicted results and the actual outcome.

While they are useful as a reference, the accuracy is still not perfect. In the end, it’s the surgeon’s experience that can assess the unique features of the face and achieve the best possible results.

I don’t believe that a computer program can determine aesthetic using data.

Ultimately, beautiful faces come from the experience of a surgeon who has performed numerous surgeries and consistently achieved ideal results over time.

"Pursuing Objective Consultation"

Many patients consider surgery after looking at photos of celebrities they find attractive.

However, even with surgery, each person’s bite and bone structure are completely different, so there are limitations.

Rather than trying to replicate someone else’s face, it’s more realistic and likely to yield better results to plan the surgery based on improving your own features.

With the advent of Photoshop and AI programs, using these tools to mark or draw lines on your photos can help express your thoughts more clearly, leading to a more objective diagnosis and realistic results.

8) Surgical plans developed through thousands of cases

Our hospital isn't small, but it's not a place that competes with huge, flashy facilities.

What we pride ourselves on is the data we've accumulated over many years of performing facial bone surgeries.

Each patient who is considering surgery has different symptoms, and even within the same category of symptoms, the specific types can vary greatly.

Generally, facial bone abnormalities are classified into categories like prognathism (underbite), micrognathia (receding chin), protruding teeth, and asymmetry. However, even within prognathism, there are different types, such as the upper jaw protruding, the upper jaw being recessed, the chin being retruded relative to the lower jaw, asymmetry, and more. These variations can be further subdivided.

Not only the shape of the face but also functionality and safety are extremely important. Even if the outward appearance is similar, we must consider the position of the nerves inside the bones, the shape of the airway, the condition of the temporomandibular joint, and other factors to ensure both functional and aesthetic improvements.

Unless you're performing surgery on identical twins (and even then, there are subtle differences), no two faces are the same. Therefore, I usually show patients cases of successfully treated individuals that align as closely as possible with their concerns, and we consult and plan the surgery based on those examples.

9) What is your approach to surgery?

"At least two people must be satisfied"

Those two are the patient and myself.

It’s not enough if only I’m satisfied, and it’s not enough if only the patient is satisfied.

That’s why I think it’s extremely important to first understand what the patient wants.

This mainly relates to the aesthetic aspects.

In fact, functional aspects—like stable occlusion and normal joint function—have clear answers.

But when it comes to aesthetics, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. I believe that by aligning our perspectives and finding common ground, we can ultimately achieve a result that satisfies both parties.

10) To those reading this who are considering surgery

First of all, if you’re considering contouring or jaw surgery, I would not recommend consulting with just one oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Doctors may have different opinions, and this might confuse patients, but I think it’s helpful to hear at least 2–3 different opinions to gain a more objective understanding of your condition.

This surgery is not a simple procedure, which is all the more reason to get multiple perspectives.

There was a time when it was popular to perform all jaw surgeries without prior orthodontic treatment, just going straight to surgery.

But what may have worked for others might not be suitable for you.

In fact, many people who come to decide on surgery often can’t undergo it right away.

So, if you’ve decided to go ahead with surgery, it’s best to give yourself some time, undergo an initial examination, and understand your condition first. This will make the process smoother when you’re ready.

In cases where orthodontic treatment is required before surgery, it often takes 6 months to a year.

For those who are thinking, ‘I want to have surgery right away,’ this can cause some frustration.

Because of the nature of the surgery, just improving the shape of the face doesn’t always lead to the best overall result, so understanding the orthodontic treatment plan is important as well.