Fadekemi Olufunmilayo Oginni1. 1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. aoginni@oauife.edu.ng
Abstract
AIM: To determine the current causes and pattern of tooth loss in Ile-Ife Nigeria. DESIGN: A retrospective review of records of dental extraction patients. SETTING: The dental hospitals of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital situated in South Western Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: All patients that had dental extractions between January 1996 and December 2002. METHOD: Patients' case records were analysed for demographics, reason(s) for dental extraction, tooth/teeth extracted, method of extraction and complication(s). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Reasons for tooth extraction and the pattern of tooth loss. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
AIM: To determine the current causes and pattern of tooth loss in Ile-Ife Nigeria. DESIGN: A retrospective review of records of dental extraction patients. SETTING: The dental hospitals of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital situated in South Western Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: All patients that had dental extractions between January 1996 and December 2002. METHOD:Patients' case records were analysed for demographics, reason(s) for dental extraction, tooth/teeth extracted, method of extraction and complication(s). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Reasons for tooth extraction and the pattern of tooth loss. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.