Analysis of Reasons for Permanent Teeth Extraction in Dental College Teaching Hospital of Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad/Iraq: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Tooth extraction represents a global concern, as it directly affects the quality of life. Despite of advancements in modern dentistry, extraction remains the only available option in not a few cases. The most common causes of tooth loss are caries and periodontal diseases, with other less common causes like trauma, orthodontic treatment, and patient preference in low socioeconomic areas. This study aims to ascertain the frequency, causes, and patterns of adult tooth extractions among Iraqi patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients attending the clinics of oral surgery in the dental teaching hospital of Mustansiriyah University for the period of October 2024 to May 2025 were examined to be enrolled in this study with their information recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 1096 patients participated in this study with 1408 extracted teeth. Almost 738 were males, and 358 were females with an age range of (18-83) years with a mean ± Sd of (40.3 ± 14.34) years. Dental caries was found to be the most common cause of tooth extraction (94.5%), and periodontal disease accounted for (3.8%) of extractions; other causes represented only (1.6%). No statistically significant association was observed between age group and extraction due to caries (χ 2 = 3.35, p = 0.067; OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.36-1.06). In contrast, a significant association was found between age group and extraction due to periodontal disease (χ 2 = 10.53, p = 0.001 OR = 3.00, 95% CI: 1.47-6.13). The association between age, gender, and systemic disease with tooth extraction due to caries was tested by binary logistic regression analysis and showed that systemic disease was significantly associated with the outcome. Patients with systemic disease had lower odds of tooth extraction due to caries compared with those without systemic disease (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17-0.60, p  < 0.001). Age (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.02, p = 0.969) and gender (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.42-1.34, p = 0.332) were not significantly associated with caries-related tooth extraction.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS: Dental caries was the predominant cause of permanent tooth extraction among patients attending the Dental College Teaching Hospital of Mustansiriyah University, accounting for the majority of cases, while periodontal disease represented a considerably smaller proportion. No statistically significant association was observed between age group and extraction due to caries. In contrast, a significant association was found between age group and extraction due to periodontal disease. These findings highlight the need for effective preventive strategies and patient education programs aimed at improving oral hygiene practices and early management of dental caries to reduce the rate of tooth loss.