Tooth removal vs removing a tooth / molars removal vs removing of molars

Question

I have a dentistry student who writes things like: "the need for molars removal" and "molar removal treatment" which sounds off to me. I prefer to say (write) "the need to remove molars" and "treatment involving removal of molars", which sound more 'direct' to me.

Yet, I am struggling to explain why my version is more direct.

I'd be most obliged for any pointers...

Thank you!

Does this answer your question? Attributive nouns vs. of-genitive (related; this hinges on formality and idiomaticity rather than grammar). Here, your "the need to remove molars" sounds far more idiomatic. But "molar removal treatment" is far more punchy (and direct). — Edwin Ashworth, Sep 04 '20 at 16:41
I'll add that the singular-form attributive, the need for molar removal, is probably as natural sounding as your variant. — Edwin Ashworth, Sep 04 '20 at 16:48
I think "extraction" rather than "removal" is far more idiomatic in US dental jargon. — Hot Licks, Sep 04 '20 at 21:10

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 04 '20 at 17:13

1

You are right. "the need for molar removal" sounds wrong, especially as 'molar's a different specialist meaning chemistry and chemical engineering. "The need to remove a molar" or "extract a molar" is concise and precise

answered Sep 04 '20 at 17:13

user43133

21
2

OP is asking in relation to works on dentistry. And the first 30 Google hits I found for "molar removal" speak of the relevant teeth. – Edwin Ashworth Sep 04 '20 at 18:43

Tooth removal vs removing a tooth / molars removal vs removing of molars

1 Answers1