what is this procedure called?

[smurf528]

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I shadowed a periodontist a while back and she performed a procedure but I forgot what it was called. Basically the patient had the roots of their teeth protruding out, or so it looked. So instead of having a flat surface where the gums are there is a bump. She had to cut the gums and saw down the upper jaw bone and then stitch it back up afterwards. The gums were also receding. The procedure was about 2.5 hours long.

 

[doc7448]

It sounds like you are referring to alveoplasty, which is just smoothing out someone's jawbone. But I think that is normally done by oral surgeons...

 

[caffeinehigh]

It might be a good idea to use some more anatomically correct terminology if you're citing this in your application rather then upper jaw bone....

 

[nze82]

I shadowed a periodontist a while back and she performed a procedure but I forgot what it was called. Basically the patient had the roots of their teeth protruding out, or so it looked. So instead of having a flat surface where the gums are there is a bump. She had to cut the gums and saw down the upper jaw bone and then stitch it back up afterwards. The gums were also receding. The procedure was about 2.5 hours long.

You do know that your limited to a certain # of words, when describing your dental-related experience, right?
I suggest you don't waste it describing procedures and so. I'm pretty sure that people who are reviewing your application have some basic knowledge of dentistry, and you don't need to tell them about the procedures you've observed. Instead, try to tell them what you learned about dentistry in general from the experience rather than listing various procedures. You'll have enough time to show off during your interview, when they ask questions about what you've done shadowing a dentist.

 

[doc toothache]

I shadowed a periodontist a while back and she performed a procedure but I forgot what it was called. Basically the patient had the roots of their teeth protruding out, or so it looked. So instead of having a flat surface where the gums are there is a bump. She had to cut the gums and saw down the upper jaw bone and then stitch it back up afterwards. The gums were also receding. The procedure was about 2.5 hours long.

The procedure you witnessed sounds like the removal of lateral exostosis, a locally circumscribed bony growth which develop outside the cortical plates. There is no protrusion of roots outward. Since dentistry is about procedures, contrary to the advice from our colleague, it is a good idea to include what you have witnessed.

 

[smurf528]

I think that's it...thanks doc toothache!

 

[cybermech]

The procedure you witnessed sounds like the removal of lateral exostosis, a locally circumscribed bony growth which develop outside the cortical plates. There is no protrusion of roots outward. Since dentistry is about procedures, contrary to the advice from our colleague, it is a good idea to include what you have witnessed.

I completely agree. While you may not ever write about a procedure on an application, it's just good practice to soak up as much about all the procedures as possible. Learn how they are done, and what each step is actually meant to accomplish, and perhaps see an "ideal" situation if you can.

Obviously, one should learn the terminology, though that's not the end goal in the pre-dental experience. The main thing is to get your feet wet and gain an appreciation for the discipline.

 

[smurf528]

so should I state on my app the procedure I saw when I shadowed the perio? I don't want it to sound redundant with the other dentists I shadowed.