Primary dental causes for permanent tooth extractions

Caries, periodontitis, and trauma were cited in three studies as the causes of extraction. Caries accounted for 36.0% (95%CI, 33.8-38.3), 45.6% (95%CI, 43.7-47.6), and 55.3% (95%CI, 49.0-61.4) of the most frequently reported reasons for extraction, while periodontitis accounted for 24.8% (95%CI, 19.7-30.5), 32.1% (95%CI, 30.3-34.0), and 38.1% (95%CI, 35.8-40.4). Trauma had proportions of 0.8% (95%CI, 0.1-2.7), 3.6% (95%CI, 2.7-4.5), and 4.4% (95%CI, 3.6-5.3) in the other categories. According to two studies, extractions were performed for orthodontic and other reasons. Periapical illness was cited as the cause of extraction in two other investigations. The percentages for periapical disease were 19.1% (95%CI, 14.6-24.4) and 7.3% (95%CI, 6.3-8.4). The percentages for orthodontics were 2.5% (95% CI: 2.0–3.2) and 7.2% (95% CI: 6.1–8.5). 9.2% (95%CI, 7.9-10.7; Table 3) and 4.5% (95%CI: 3.8-5.4) were the proportions for other causes.