REASONS AND RISKS OF PERMANENT TEETH EXTRACTION. THE GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE IN GREECE

• Main Authors: N.A. CHRYSANTHAKOPOULOS, Chrysa Konstantinos VLASSI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academy of Romanian Scientists 2013-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Medical Dentistry
• Subjects: tooth extraction; dental caries; periodontal disease
• Online Access: http://www.ijmd.ro/articole/338_65_pdf_IJMD%204-2013%20tipo.pdf

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to inves‑ tigate the reasons for tooth extraction and their associati‑ ons with possible risk indicators, such as socio-demographic and other epidemiological variables analyzed in dental practice in Greece. Materials and method: The study invol‑ ved 2,250 individuals, 1,170 males and 1,080 females aged 18 to 78 years. Data were collected by means of an intervi‑ ewer-administered questionnaire and oral clinical exami‑ nation. Statistical analysis of the questionnaire items was performed with a multivariate regression analysis model in order to estimate the possible associations between den‑ tal caries and periodontal disease as dependent variables, as well as the socio-demographic and other epidemiologi‑ cal variables, as independent parameters. Results: A total of 5,568 permanent teeth were extracted for various rea‑ sons during the study. The results showed that the main reasons for tooth extraction were dental caries (37.3%) and periodontal disease (35.0%).Tooth extraction due to dental caries was associated with risk indicators of lower educa‑ tional and income level, inadequate oral hygiene and lack of a regular dental follow-up, whereas tooth extraction due to periodontal disease was associated with the same vari‑ ables, to which smoking was added. Conclusions: Dental caries and periodontal disease were the main reasons for tooth extraction in Greece. In addition, significant associ‑ ations were recorded between the causes of tooth extrac‑ tion and the possible risk indicators under analysis