Changing Pattern of Intra-Alveolar Extraction in the Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Though changing patterns of tooth extraction have been reported in the literature which included the age, gender, tooth type and indications for extraction, there is still paucity of studies that have examined the variation and changes in the pattern of tooth extraction over a period of time in a given nation. We therefore accessed the pattern and indications of tooth loss in the patients who presented at oral surgery clinic for intra-alveolar tooth extraction over a twelve month period. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of adult patients tooth extraction between September 2015 and August 2016. Patients’ demographic and clinical data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Variables were subjected to Pearson’s chi-square test and P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 240 adults age range between 18 to 75 years of age with mean age of 36.64 years were included in the analysis. Maxillary teeth (231) and mandibular teeth (326) were extracted in 203 and 263 patients respectively. Caries and its sequelae, 223(93%) were the predominant indication for tooth extractions. Lower second molar (25%), and upper third molar (20%) had the highest frequencies. More female (126, 52.5%) than male (114, 47.5%) had extraction done, the difference is however not statistically significant (X2 =1.67, P Value = 0.195) Conclusions: Dental caries and its sequelae are the most frequent cause of tooth extraction. Tooth extraction was more in Patients in the fourth decade as well as in the Female gender, even though the difference between male and female is not statistically significant. And there is increased in number of male who had extraction done compared to what obtained in the past decades. Left side of the mouth appeared to be more affected.