Abstract
Objective: The history of extraction rates and development in technology/appliances, one would expect extractions to no longer be as popular in the treatment plan. the purpose of the study was to examine the reasons for the high extraction rate at the Beethoven Orthodontic Center despite the recent decline in non extraction treatments in Western practices.
Materials and Methods: 200 consecutive patient files were taken from the Beethoven Orthodontic Center. The 200 data was retrospectively pulled from October 31, 2015. A retrospective analysis on the extraction treatment pattern was performed.
Results: During the patient’s first consultation, 47% of patients’ chief complaint was the protrusion of their lips. Other primary reasons for patient visits were from factors such as impaction (7%), CIII bites (15%), IDT (10%), and others (20%). 39% of the total patient profiles had their upper lip and 55% had their lower lip extend to and/or beyond the E-line. Within the sample of the patients who ended up following an extraction treatment (65%), 85% of the extractions were to reduce protrusion and the other was to reduce crowding over 7mm (40%). Additionally, 20% of the extractions was the result of dental health such as compromising caries, root canal treatment, fracture, and prostheses. Overall, maintaining the E-line was the primary reason for teeth extraction, followed by reducing overcrowding, and concern for dental health.
Conclusions: The high extraction rate at the center is a result of reducing protrusion and over-crowding. The soft tissue profile plays a significant factor in the decision to extract teeth. Additionally, extractions deal with teeth decay and can avoid prosthetics and implants. However, patient preference for their treatment is still key in the decision to extract. These factors depends if patients want to extract to change their soft tissue profile or choose a noninvasive treatment option.