Reasons for tooth extraction in Scotland

Objectives: A 1984 study investigated the reasons underlying the extraction of teeth in Scotland. The survey described in this paper, used a similar methodology and aimed to determine the reasons for the extraction of permanent teeth by general dental practitioners and investigate changes in the influences on tooth extraction over a 10 year period. Methods: During a 1 week period in November 1994, 139 general dental practitioners working throughout Scotland, recorded the reasons for all permanent tooth extractions. Results: A total of 917 permanent teeth were extracted from 613 patients, the reason for extraction being stated as dental caries (51%), periodontal disease (21%), orthodontics (11%) and failed endodontics (4%). Trauma, pericoronitis and other reasons accounted for 5.5% of extractions whilst, in 7.5% of cases, patients requested extraction in preference to other treatments. The proportion of extractions attributed to periodontal disease increased from age 31–60 years, but declined thereafter. Conclusions: Comparing the results with those obtained in the 1984 study, whilst the mean number of teeth extracted by each practitioner had reduced, the overall relative contribution of different reasons for extraction was similar.