Tooth Loss and Predictors of Tooth Extractions Due to Dental Caries among Adults: A Multi‑center Study in North‑eastern Nigeria

Background: Tooth loss and the level of edentulism may be an indication of a populations’ oral health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of dental caries to tooth loss, as well as its predictors among adults in North‑eastern Nigeria. Methods: A cross‑sectional survey over a 2‑month period of all adult patients who had tooth extractions in three dental centers across  North‑eastern Nigeria. Data on sociodemographics (age, gender, and level of education), history, and examination findings were collected with a preformed questionnaire to include the frequency and reasons for the use of dental facilities, previous tooth extractions and reason for extractions, missing teeth, and present diagnosis for the teeth to be extracted. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the association and relationships between missing teeth, extractions due to caries and population variables. Results: The prevalence of preextraction tooth loss was 37.98% with a mean tooth loss of 3.05 ± 3.15 per participant, 2.24 ± 1.46 among the 35–44 years old and highest (10.08 ± 8.02) among the 65–74 years old participants. Age was the single significant predictor of tooth loss (β = 0.428, P < 0.001). Molars were the most extracted teeth, with 78.13% of all extractions due to caries and its sequelae. Significant correlations existed between age (r = −0.144, P = < 0.001), level of education (r = −0.118, P = 0.004), and extractions due to caries and its sequelae and were significant in the regression model. Conclusion: Caries and its sequelae were the major reasons for missing teeth as well as for current extractions. Molars were the teeth most affected. Age and level of education were the important determinants of extractions due to caries and its sequelae. Keywords: Dental caries, edentulism, sequelae, tooth extractions, tooth los