How to study Operative Dentistry for UHS?

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Disclaimer: This is my recommendation based on my intellect and experience. What worked for me, may not work for you. 

This is a brief guide that aids you in managing the subject of operative dentistry effectively in short time and help you prepare for professionals. If you don't have time to read the whole thing, please skip to the end where I've laid down a summary.

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Operative/Restorative Dentistry is considered as one of the toughest subject of final year. It is divided into mini-subjects: Paedodontics, Crown and Bridge, Endodontics, and Basic Restorative Dentistry.

Rule number 1: Start from Endo.


You can study from any book you like but I highly recommend Grossman's. It is not that big and is totally do-able. I haven't seen a better illustrated endodontics book for undergrad level yet. If you can't do all of your endo from Grossman's, then at least do 'Techniques of Root Canal Shaping (p253)', 'Gutta-Percha Obturation Techniques (p282)', Chapter 13 (p311) for peads endo and Chapter 14 (p342) for Bleaching'.

 Don't go into too much detail on tooth anatomy, and name of chemicals we use in endo. Focus on procedures. Cleaning and Shaping, and Obturation are the two most important topics that you should know about. I loved endo and covered it from all the books that I could find at that time. I started my preparation from Harty's 2nd edition because our supervisor asks a lot from this book. Studied the canal anatomy and introductory topics from Harty's and then moved on to Grossman's for Diagnostic Tests, Cleaning and Shaping, and Obturation. Cleaning and Shaping is also well written in Torabinejad but if you have Grossman's you don't need any other book to ace in UHS.

Rule number 2: Paedo is Endo


If you want to cover paedo effectively, do all the endo related topics first. Then go through the model paper and past papers and do all the behavioural psychology related questions. Congratulations, you have completed the preparation for paediatric dentistry. Leave all the remaining topics for the end, i.e. when you have completed all the other operative stuff. There are some notes too that all of us do for behavioural psychology. Find them from your seniors. If you can't find them, I'll be happy to arrange them for you.

I did my paedo preparation from Welbury. It's a good read. You can do the endo from Grossman's (chapter 13). Dr. Sohail's powerpoint notes are helpful too. You don't have to give a lot of time to Paedo. If you're doing it from Welbury, chapters 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are enough. Jaypee is a good book too and I did some of Peads from this wonderful book. But if I have to recommend one book, I'll recommend Welbury.


Rule number 3: Crown and Bridge for UHS = Headings


As much as I hate to suggest something like this to anyone, if there's any genuine short-cut for anything in final year, it's in Crown and Bridge (CnB). Do all the major headings of the ideal properties, types, designs, etcetera, and you're good to go.

I don't encourage anyone to study like that. You need to have a thorough understanding of the subject matter. Clinical knowledge is important. Short-cuts hurt you in the long run. But, if you're in trouble and you don't have much time to revise, just go through the major headings from Smith's and you'll be done with CnB's preparation. Oh, and you can leave chapter 4 (fifth edition) too if you don't have time.

I did my CnB from Smith's. Read it thoroughly once (all the text not only the headings). Do the pontics and crown lengthening from Rosensteil (very good book). Past papers and Model paper cover most of the syllabus. Questions are usually repeated.

Note: You need common sense to follow this advise.

Rule number 4: Clinical knowledge and experience helps a lot


What are the steps in restoring a decayed tooth? You don't have to read a specific book to write that down. If you have sound clinical knowledge of operative dentistry, you don't need to prepare much in the operative dentistry portion. I did my Operative/Restorative Dentistry from Marzouk's. Chapter number one is very important. Start with chapter number 1 of Marzouk and do it thouroughly. Chapters 1 to 14 are all important. You have to do them all, some require only selective study, some don't. Ellis' classification of injuries to natural teeth on page number 426 is also very important. Do it from Marzouk. The rest you can do from either Marzouk or Sturdevant's. Again, if you have sound clinical knowledge, you wouldn't need to cram all the details and things will be a lot easier for you.



Summary

  • Start your preparation from Endo. Study from Grossman's. 
  • Dr. Sohail Abbas' notes are very helpful.
  • Next is Paedo. Endo related topics from Grossman's. Welbury for selective study of other stuff. UHS model paper for behavioural psychology related questions.
  • Crown and Bridge. Smith's is the book of choice. 'Headings'. Remember the taper. 
  • Chapter 1 and Trauma from Marzouk is a must! 
*Pages mentioned are from Grossman's Endodontic Practice 12th Edition