Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the principle reasons for early loss of primary molars in children aged 4-9 years. Methods: The patients selected for this retrospective study were identified by analyzing dental revords of children receiving treatment at Istanbul Unıversity, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics and Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine. 1150 extracted primary molars were analyzed from 546 patient who had at least one primary molar extracted under local anesthesia. The early loss of primary molars was analyzed in relation to age, sex,dmf(t), DMF(T) scores, maternal education and toothbrushing frequency. Also, the type of treatments before extractions was recorded. The data were converted to SPSS format and were analyzed using SPSS Base 7.5 for Windows. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis with the significance level set at p<0,05. Results: Among the investigated subjects, 15.4% of children reported regular toothbrushing. Only 23.6% of subjects had a history restoration before tooth extraction and 33.2% of mothers had a low education level. Extractions due to pain, caries and sepsis were 30.2%, 31% and 38.8% respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the loss of primary molars and dmf(t) scores, history of restoration and toothbrushing frequency (p<0,5). Also , the difference between the maternal education level and dmf(t), toothbrushing frequency and history of restoration was statistically significant (p<0,5). Conclusion: In order to avoid the early loss of primary molars , restorative care and effective preventing methods need to be expanded.

Back to the Cariology Research Program
Back to the 81st General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (June 25-28, 2003)

Top Level Search