A survey of causes of permanent tooth extractions in South Australia

Reasons for permanent tooth extractions were studied in a survey in South Australia conducted over a two week period in which 154 dentists participated, a response rate of 43 per cent. Of 2,387 teeth extracted from 1,104 patients, caries accounted for 52 per cent, periodontal and orthodontic causes 25.6 and 11.1 per cent respectively, impacted teeth 6.5 percent, and prosthetic reasons 2.8 per cent. Caries was the most prevalent cause in the age groups 20-40 and over 70 years. Between 40 and 70 years more than 50 per cent of the teeth were extracted for periodontal reasons.