A survey of the reasons for dental extractions in France.

3516 French dentists, selected at random, were asked to record every tooth they extracted during January, 1984. They were also asked to give the reason for extraction in each case. These were assigned to eight groups: caries, periodontal diseases, eruption problems, prosthetics, trauma, orthodontics, occlusal problems, and other reasons. Data were received from 910 dentists (25.3%) relating to a total of 14,621 extractions. Overall, caries was the most frequent cause for extraction (49%), followed by periodontal diseases (32.4%) and orthodontics (8.4%). In the age group under 50, dental caries was the main reason for extraction. However, in the age group over 50, periodontal diseases became the principal reason for extraction. Orthodontic extractions were most prominent in the 6-12 and 13-20 age groups, with respective frequencies of 72.6% and 24.8% of all extractions. Eruption problems contributed most frequently in the 13-20 and 21-30 age groups, their respective percentages being 8.7% and 12.3%. Extractions resulting from trauma were most frequently noted in the under-6 age group (frequency of 8.8%). As far as the type of tooth was concerned, first and second molars taken together made up 29.6% of extractions. These were followed by pre-molars, anterior teeth, and third molars at levels of 25.8%, 29.9%, and 14.7%, respectively. The teeth most frequently extracted because of caries were the molars (40.9%); because of periodontal disease, the anteriors (49.1%); and, for prosthetic reasons, again the anteriors (57.5%). Extractions from the various regions of France showed important variations. Percentage frequencies for caries and periodontal extractions were inversely linked.