The Reasons for Tooth Extractions: A Pilot Study

Svrha rada bila je istražiti i ustanoviti primarne razloge za ekstrakciju zuba u trajnoj denticiji. Materijali i postupci: Istraživanje smo organizirali od siječnja do ožujka 2007. na Stomatološkom fakultetu u Zagrebu, u Zavodu za endodonciju i restaurativnu stomatologiju i Zavodu za oralnu kirurgiju. Kao metodu odabrali smo upitnik koji je, osim osobnih podataka pacijenta, sadržavao i osnovne razloge za ekstrakciju. Prikupljene podatke statistički smo obradili parametrijskom i neparametrijskom analizom varijance, ovisno o distribucijama dobivenih podataka. Rezultati: Ukupno je bilo anketirano 113 ispitanika u dobi od 10 do 85 godina - 61 (54%) žena i 52 (46%) muškarca. S obzirom na to koliko su često odlazili stomatologu, više je bilo neredovitih pacijenata (54,9%). U svim dobnim skupinama najčešći razlog za ekstrakciju bio je karijes (53,4%), a kod većine pacijenata (75,7%) prije toga nije bila provedena nikakva endodontska terapija. Najčešće ekstrahirani zubi bili su prvi trajni molari zbog karijesa (25,3%), a donji frontalni bili su uglavnom izvađeni zbog parodontopatija i to u dobnim skupinama iznad 45 godina (8,7%), a kod mlađih bili su ekstrahirani prvi premolari uglavnom iz ortodontskih razloga. Zaključak: Zbog opsežnih karioznih destrukcija molara nije bilo moguće obaviti adekvatnu endodontsku i/ili konzervativnu terapiju, pa je ekstrakcija bila jedina terapijska mogućnost. Zbog toga se mora više truda uložiti u preventivne programe kako bi se sačuvalo oralno zdravlje.The purpose of this study was to identify and investigate the essential reasons for the extractions of the teeth of the permanent dentition. Materials and methods: The research was done at the Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry and the Department of Oral Surgery School of Dental Medicine in Zagreb, Croatia, during the period from January through March 2007. The method was based upon a questionnaire which, other than the basic personal data on the patient, also included the essential reasons for each particular extraction. The data collected was then statistically processed by parametric and non-parametric analyses of variance, depending on the respective distributions of the results. Results: A total of 113 subjects, within the age bracket 10 - 85, was interviewed. Of that number, 61 (54%) were female and 52 (46%) male patients. With regard to the declared frequency of visits to the dentist, slightly prevailing (54.9%) were those with an irregular history of visits. The principal reason for a tooth extraction was caries (53.4%). Furthermore, 75.7% of the patients did not have any previous endodontic treatment prior to extraction. With regard to the position of the teeth, the most frequently extracted were the first permanent molars, on the account of caries (25.3%). The lower front teeth were extracted mostly because of periodontitis, and in the 45+ age-group (8.7%), whereas in the younger-age groups it was the first premolars, extracted exclusively for orthodontic reasons. Conclusion: Due to extensive carious destructions of the molars it was not possible to provide an adequate endodontic treatment and/or conservative therapy, so extraction was the sole option for those unrestorable teeth. It is therefore recommendable that prevention programs be pursued to achieve and maintain oral health