[Assessment of the reasons for tooth extraction among patients referred to the Rafsanjan dental school [2008]]

ABSTRACT

The retention of permanent teeth is important in oral health. Tooth extraction is always the last choice in dentistry, however in the most economically poor countries or those without efficient insurance services; tooth extraction, particularly among restorable teeth is common. The aim of this study was to determine the reasons of tooth extraction and evaluation of oral health status among patients referred to the Rafsanjan Dental School in winter 2008. This descriptive study was conducted on 320 patients. The general information about patient, oral health status, tooth location and causes of extraction after clinical and radiographically examination were collected by a cheklist. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics methods. In this study the most prevalent reasons were not restorable caries [32.5%], restorable caries that the tooth was extracted because of patient's request [30.6%], patient's request [11.6%], untreatable periodontal disease [10%], treatable periodontal disease that the tooth was extracted because of patient's request [5%], impaction [3.1%], malaproposed teeth [2.8%], other reasons [2.8%], and orthodontics [1.6%]. There was no tooth extracted because of pre-prosthetic reasons. Caries and patient's request were the main reasons for tooth extraction in respondents. Proper oral health system including efficient programs focusing on prevention and treatment of caries should be created and developed