The reasons for extraction of permanent teeth in Scotland: a 15-year follow-up study

Caries and its sequelae remain the most important cause of tooth loss throughout adult life in Scotland and, therefore, caries prevention and maintenance of restorations are of great importance at all ages.

The main reason for extraction was caries and its sequelae (54.7%). Periodontal disease accounted for 16.7% of extractions. Orthodontics accounted for 9.9% of extractions and 8.4% were pre-prosthetic. Patient request was the reason for 5.1% of extractions and 2.5 % were for another, unspecified reason. Pericoronitis and trauma accounted for 1.8 % and 1.0% of extractions respectively. The extractions for caries occurred in 59.4% of the population sample; those for periodontal disease occurred in 15.6%.