Abstract
To determine the current causes and pattern of tooth loss in Ile-Ife Nigeria. A retrospective review of records of dental extraction patients. The dental hospitals of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital situated in South Western Nigeria. All patients that had dental extractions between January 1996 and December 2002. Patients' case records were analysed for demographics, reason(s) for dental extraction, tooth/teeth extracted, method of extraction and complication(s). Reasons for tooth extraction and the pattern of tooth loss. 6348 (12.3%) of hospital attendees aged 4-102 years (mean 35 +/- 16.8 years) had extraction of 8338 teeth. A statistically significant female preponderance was observed. Dental caries was the leading cause of tooth loss (56.4%) followed by periodontal disease (24.6%). This shows a reversal of a trend reported in a previous study in the same location. Over half (69.2%) of the extracted teeth were molars (mostly mandibular). Only 4.1% extractions were trans alveolar. 3.9% were complicated by dry socket. 12.3% of the hospital attendees had undergone dental extraction. Despite previous warnings of a steady rise in dental caries, it has become the leading cause of tooth loss in our hospital. The urgent need to institute standardised preventive measures was highlighted.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
