Biological Pattern in Tooth Loss: An Analysis of 2,765 Teeth Collected over a 10-year Study Period in a Tertiary Dental Hospital in Nigeria

Oral diseases are widespread and affect large numbers of people in terms of pain, toothloss, disfigurement and loss of function. In this study setting 2,765 teeth were analysed for causes of tooth mortality. Results of causes of toothloss by tooth-type revealed that the posterior teeth are more affected in this order, molars 48.98%, premolars 14.02%. While the anterior tooth type was 29.57% for the permanent dentition and deciduous dentition was 2.93%. While the grand disease state for tooth-mortality showed caries 48.9% (1352) as the major cause of tooth loss; followed by periodontal disease 41.52%. Stemming the tide of tooth mortality therefore entails preventive approach, which entails keeping the teeth healthy; by an explicit caries and periodontal risk assessment.