Evaluation of the reasons for the extraction among patients referred to the Oral Surgery Department,Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Statement of Problem: Tooth extraction is always considered as the final treatment option in dentistry.Considering the numerous advances in dentistry, nowadays the preservation of the permanent teeth until old age is common. However, in most economically poor countries or those without security service insurance,the high rate of extraction, particularly among restorable teeth, is regrettable. The aim of the present study was to determine the reasons for tooth extraction among patients referred to the faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2002. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 320 patients. The information about patient's general knowledge, oral health status, tooth location and causes of extraction were collected and recorded in a questionnaire. The data were submitted to statistical Chi-Square test. No statistically significant difference was found between two genders in their mentioned causes for extraction. The most prevalent reasons were as follows: Caries (50%), Periodontal diseases (16.6%). Absence of an acceptable occlusion, prosthetic problems, patient's request, etc... make up the remaining 33.4% of the reasons. According to this study, it is suggested to investigate extraction etiology at the society level and if similar results are obtained, necessary steps should be taken to prevent caries and periodontal problems as the major mentioned causes for tooth extraction.