Maina Bekal¹, Brijesh K^2*

¹Associate Professor, Department of Dentistry, ²Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthiology and Critical Care, Akash Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Prasannahalli, Near International Airport, Devanahalli, Bengaluru Rural, Karnataka -562110, INDIA.

Email: brijeshkumar291@yahoo.co.in  

Table 4:

DISCUSSION

Third molar extraction is one of the most frequent procedures in oral surgery⁵. World Health Organization (WHO) in its report identified good oral health as an indicator of good health and recommended various steps in order to improve oral health globally⁶. The present study consisted of 182 patients in which 96 females (52.7%) and 86 males (47.25%). This is consistent with the study done by Abed Al Hadi et al. ⁷ wherein females outnumbered males. The comparison of our results from other study is limited due the fact that majority of the article published focus on the reasons of extraction of partially or completely erupted third molar rather than the erupted tooth. Our results show that 46.9% of the teeth were extracted in the age group of 21-30 years followed by 30.7% in the age group of 31-40 years. This is consistent with the study done by CE Medina-Solis et al. ⁸. This can be due to the fact that the oral hygiene measures are not being followed properly by the younger individuals and also the older people might have lost their teeth at an early age⁹. The present study results show that the mandibular third molar 119 (61.97%) were more commonly extracted, than the maxillary third molars 73 (38%). The results of the study are consistent with the study done by Abed Al Hadi et al. ⁷, whereas the study done by CE Medina-Solis et al. ⁸ shows more incidence of maxillary third molar extraction than the mandibular. In this retrospective study it was found that more than half of the teeth that is 60.9% were extracted due to severe dental caries or pulpal necrosis. This finding is consistent with the study done by Anand etal¹⁰. This may be attributed to diet, socio-economic factors and level of dental awareness amongst the patients. Malopposed tooth/malpositioned tooth was identified as the second most common reason accounting for 20.3% of total extractions. This can be explained by the fact that mandibular third molars tend to occupy an abnormal position because of lack of space in the posterior mandible ¹¹. Although teeth are primarily extracted due to disease such as dental caries and periodontal disease^12,13,14 that can cause infection and pain, sometimes healthy teeth have to be sacrificed to improve chewing or for correction of malocclusions⁸. The same holds good for the maxillary third molar teeth. The third main reason for tooth removal was severe periodontal disease accounting for 16.14% of the total extraction. The finding is consistent with the study done by Abed Al Hadi et al. ⁷. In the present study 2.1% extractions were due to preprosthetic reason, which was the fourth main cause for teeth extraction. This result is not in accordance to the study by CE Medina-Solis et al. ⁸ where prosthetic extraction was the main reason for third molar removal. The last reason for extraction was the teeth being in the line of fracture 0.5%.

CONCLUSION

There were no extractions done for prophylactic reason. All the teeth extracted were associated with disease or were symptomatic. In the present study it was found that of the main reasons of tooth extractions was dental caries. Malopposed tooth/malpositioned teeth were second main reason for extraction. The third main reason was severe periodontal disease. The less number of preprosthetic extractions shows the attitude of patients towards prosthetic rehabilitation following tooth loss. We propose that third molars can be used to replace first and second molar if they are lost early. Dentists should emphasise on preventive measures that can be undertaken by patients in order to avoid caries and periodontal diseases so as to save the teeth whenever possible. Also the malopposed teeth should be extracted whenever identified so as to prevent further complications.

REFERENCES

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