Pattern and indications for tooth extraction among patients attending dental clinic at federal medical center Gusau, Zamfara state, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The loss of teeth can impose a huge burden on both the patient and the health system as it requires gigantic effort, technical know-how, and on most occasions out-of-pocket expenditure to reestablish the lost functions and esthetics. Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight the indications and patterns of tooth extractions in the Dental Surgery Department, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study design was used by retrieving case folders of patients who had extractions within the study period and analyzing for age, gender, and type of tooth/teeth extracted as well as the indications for tooth extraction. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 and <0.005 of the P value was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 2992 extractions were carried out within the 4-year time frame with 53.8% of males and 46.2% of females. The mean age was 30.66 (±16.9) years. The indication for tooth extraction was dental caries and its sequelae 75.9%, followed by periodontal disease 9.1% and recurrent pericoronitis 7.3%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between gender and indication for extraction (P < 0.001, df = 5). Conclusion: Dental caries and periodontal disease were the principal indications for tooth extraction, whereas molar teeth extractions were the most common in the studied population irrespective of age and gender.