Evaluation of permanent first molar tooth loss in young population from North Turkey

Abstract

Background/Aim: Rate of missing permanent teeth in a population is important for oral health indicators. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of previously missing permanent first molar (PMF) teeth in a young population. Material and Methods: 1204 healthy patients who received panoramic radiographs were selected randomly at their first visiting to Samsun Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Dentistry. The patients' age ranges were 7 to 17. Information about extracted permanent first molar teeth, missing regions, patients' ages, and genders was recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using chi-square tests. Results: 1,204 patients, of these, 608 (51%) were female, and 596 (49%) were male. 4,816 PFM teeth were evaluated in this study, and 128 of them (2.66%) had extracted from 97 different patients. There were statistically differences between groups in terms of age and gender (p<0.05). It was observed that mandibular teeth were more frequently extracted than maxillary ones, and lower left permanent first molar teeth had more extracted than the others. Conclusions: The first permanent molar teeth could be extracted different reasons. However, these teeth should be protected by both dentists and patients.