Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the type of tooth usually associated with extraction due to caries or periodontal disease and its relation to age at which these were lost, among patients attending dental surgery outpatient clinic, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Teaching Hospital (KUTH). Materials and methods: A total no of 626 patients (male-299 and female-327) attending at outpatient clinic, in the department of Dentistry, Dhulikhel Hospital were taken in over a period of six months. The details about the permanent teeth to be extracted regarding each tooth type, including age and sex of the patient, type of tooth extracted, cause of extraction were collected, causes other than dental caries and periodontal disease were excluded. Results: The highest proportion of extraction due to caries occurred between 21-30 years of age, while that of periodontal disease was between 51-60 years of age. More than 80% of teeth lost were from below 40 years of age group. Mandibular first molar was by far the most frequently extracted tooth due to dental caries followed by maxillary first molar. Maxillary teeth were lost more than mandibular teeth due to periodontal disease. Conclusion: Dental caries and periodontal disease are the two most important factors for extraction or removal of tooth. In this study dental caries is the major cause for loosing tooth among young group of people. Key words: dental caries, periodontal disease, extraction    doi: 10.3126/kumj.v7i1.1767       Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009), Vol. 7, No. 1, Issue 25, 59-62

Background: One of the most common postoperative complications following the extraction of permanent teeth is a condition known as dry socket. Although the aetiology of dry socket is debated, it is probably multifactoral, and its pathogenesis remains unknown. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate incidence of dry socket following extraction of permanent teeth at dental out-patient department (OPD) of Dhulikhel hospital, Kathmandu university teaching hospital (KUTH), Kavre, Nepal. Materials and methods: Retrospective reviews of records of total 1860 no of patients were studied who underwent extraction of permanent teeth for various reasons since January 2007 to December 2008 period. There were 873(47%) male patients and 987(53%) female patients. Information regarding indications for extraction, extracted tooth status, onset of symptoms, relevant findings of the examining clinician, interval between presentation, management given, and its outcome were retrieved and analysed. Results: A total 1860 no of patients were studied who underwent extraction of total 2640 number of permanent teeth for various reasons. A total of 103 (3.9%) extractions were complicated by dry socket in patients aged 11 to 80 years with female predominance (54.4%). Conclusion: The etiology of dry socket is multifactorial and ultimately it is the host's healing potential which determines the severity and duration of the condition. The incidence of dry socket was found as 3.9% in this study. The incidence was higher in female patients (54.4%) and in mandibular teeth extraction cases (68.93%). Key words: Extraction; Dry socket; Teeth DOI: 10.3126/kumj.v8i1.3216 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2010), Vol. 8, No. 1, Issue 29, 18-24