Aim: The aim of this study was to detect the patterns of and reasons for permanent tooth extractions in a
Saudi population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods: 557 Saudi patients aged ≥10 years residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with
at least one permanent tooth extracted or diagnosed for extraction were randomly selected. One reason for
each tooth was documented whether by asking the patient why his/her tooth was extracted or by clinical and
radiographic examination. The data obtained were documented in a patient examination form then
statistically analyzed using Chi-Square Test or Fisher-Freeman-Halton Test and T-Test.
Results: The highest percentage of tooth extractions was observed in the age group 10-29 years (36%).
Tooth extractions due to caries were more in females compared with males, but they due to periodontal
disease were more in males compared with females. There was a significant relationship between the
reasons for tooth extractions and the extracted teeth types p <0.05, so caries was (66.4%), followed by
eruption problems (17.5%), periodontal disease (7.1%), orthodontics (5%), prosthodontics (1.9%),
pericoronitis (1.6%), and trauma (0.5%); also, the most frequently extracted tooth type was the molars
(75.7%), followed by premolars (18.1%), and anterior teeth (6.2%); mandibular and maxillary third molars
were the most frequently extracted teeth (19.9%) and (19.5%), followed by the mandibular and maxillary
first molars (13.3%) and (8.4%), respectively; however, the least frequently extracted teeth were the
mandibular canines (0.7%), followed by the maxillary lateral incisors (0.9%). Of all teeth types, premolars
were the most commonly extracted teeth due to orthodontics, and mandibular anterior teeth were the least
frequently extracted teeth due to caries. Caries was the main reason for tooth extractions in all age groups.
Tooth extractions due to caries, eruption problems, and orthodontics were more in patients≤ 40 years than
in patients > 40 years; however, tooth extractions due to periodontal disease were more in patients > 40
years than in patients ≤ 40 years.
Conclusion: Caries is epidemic; it’s advised to intensify efforts towards dental sealants and fluoride
application with implementing dental preventive and educational programs in order to raise the public
awareness of oral hygiene instructions and natural dentition.