Prevalence and Reasons for Extraction of Over-retained Primary Teeth: A Retrospective Study. Prevalence of over-retained primary teeth

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and duration of over-retained primary teeth and assess the reasons for their extractions after the elapsed age of natural exfoliation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients who presented at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department of the Central Hospital with over-retained primary teeth from June 2018 to June 2021. Data was collected on patients who underwent primary tooth extractions, including the number of teeth extracted. Patients aged 14 years and older were included in the study at the time of extraction. Data extracted from patient records included age, gender, extracted tooth type and location, diagnosis for extraction, and the interval between the expected age of natural exfoliation and the actual extraction date. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, version 10. Descriptive statistics, in the form of frequencies and percentages, were generated and presented in tabular and graphical formats.

Conclusion: The prevalence of over-retained primary teeth was low; the primary mandibular right canine was the most persistent tooth, and the presence of “Double teeth” in patients’ words was the most common reason for extraction.