Extensive research is necessary to determine the true reasons for extraction on nondental and nonmedical grounds in adults' permanent dentition (apart from third molars); this includes determining when such requests are fulfilled by extracting the tooth and the arguments for and against performing the extraction. Multiple well defined categories for non-dental and non-medical reasons for extraction should be used in future research with a minimal risk of bias. The following dental categories should be established based on the current findings: caries, periodontitis, trauma, periapical disease, orthodontics, prosthodontics, extra teeth, and medical causes (such as tumors).

Suggestion

We suggest nondental and nonmedical categories in addition to the ones mentioned above, such as patient demands (i.e., aesthetic, psychological, financial, religious, or cultural reasons). Although other pertinent subcategories (such as body dysmorphic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar and depressive disorders, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, somatic symptom and related disorders, and neurocognitive disorders) may also be required, dental phobia should be included in the category of psychological reasons. The fact that the explanations provided by the dentist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon usually reflect treatment alternatives (including their financial aspects) rather than illnesses per se makes it infamously difficult to conduct research aimed at evaluating the causes for extractions.