Reasons for Extraction of Restorable Teeth in Mosul City

Background Generally, patients seek/need extraction of their teeth for dental reasons such as non-restorable teeth, impactions, periodontal diseases, orthodontic reasons and so on, some patients may seek extraction for non-dental reasons (ENDR).Objectives To define the aetiologies and patterns of teeth extraction for non-dental reasons that took place in Mosul city and its relation with the level of education and socioeconomic status.Materials and Methods This study used a questionnaire for patients who requested and underwent extraction for restorable teeth at four major dental centres, four private dental clinics in Mosul city and four private dental clinics in the suburbs.The level of education, socio-economic status, and possible methods for saving the teeth were also recorded.Results Eighty-one male and seventy-four female patients were included in this study, aged 18-77 years.Out of 155 patients, financial reasons comprised (54.8%) of ENDR, non-conviction for dental treatment comprised (16.8%), phobia from dental treatment constituted (11%), mixed causes were (11.6%), and other reasons such as a previous bad dental experience (5.8%).Whereas, (48.4 %) of the patients would restore their teeth if it was less costly and (34.8%) would not.Conclusions The major reasons for ENDR were financial, lack of conviction, mixed causes and dental phobia.Most of the study patients who requested ENDR were low educated and financially compromised.The lower first molar was the most commonly extracted tooth.The majority of patients may restore their teeth if it is affordable.