IADR Abstract Archives
Auto-Exodontia: A Review of the Literature
Objectives: To critically review published literature, retrievable from available scientific databases, that provide information regarding dental extractions performed by patients on themselves.
Methods: An analysis of scientific literature accessible via indexed databases (Web-of-Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library) was conducted by searching key words, abstracts, and titles for “auto-extraction”, “self-extraction”, “auto-exodontia”, “dental self-mutilation”, “dental self extraction” and “self tooth extraction”. Papers were selected based upon information whether their abstracts contained information pertaining to auto-exodontia. Cross-citations identified through database searches were also retrieved and incorporated into the study, as it became apparent that not all published literature were identified by our search strategy alone.
Results: Ten papers published between 1958 and 2014, were identified as having reported on cases specifically mentioning auto-exodontia or patients conducting self-extractions. Three of the papers reported paediatric cases of auto-extraction, whilst six papers reported adult cases. In total, 15 patient cases were reported on, totalling more than 78 teeth that were auto-extracted. Six cases reported patients had psychiatric co-morbidities, 1 case involved substance misuse, and 3 cases did not mention any relevant co-morbidities. To our knowledge this is the largest collection of data on auto-exodontia to date.
Conclusions: Auto-exodontia is rare and therefore seldom reported in the literature. The majority of cases reported occurred in patients with psychiatric co-morbidities and history of self-injurious behaviour. Such behaviour may be the result of self-mutilation due to either: mental illness, altered mind states cause by substance misuse, or perceived extreme need for dental treatment.
This literature review provides clinicians with up to date information on the current status regarding auto-extraction in patients with varying co-morbidities.
Methods: An analysis of scientific literature accessible via indexed databases (Web-of-Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library) was conducted by searching key words, abstracts, and titles for “auto-extraction”, “self-extraction”, “auto-exodontia”, “dental self-mutilation”, “dental self extraction” and “self tooth extraction”. Papers were selected based upon information whether their abstracts contained information pertaining to auto-exodontia. Cross-citations identified through database searches were also retrieved and incorporated into the study, as it became apparent that not all published literature were identified by our search strategy alone.
Results: Ten papers published between 1958 and 2014, were identified as having reported on cases specifically mentioning auto-exodontia or patients conducting self-extractions. Three of the papers reported paediatric cases of auto-extraction, whilst six papers reported adult cases. In total, 15 patient cases were reported on, totalling more than 78 teeth that were auto-extracted. Six cases reported patients had psychiatric co-morbidities, 1 case involved substance misuse, and 3 cases did not mention any relevant co-morbidities. To our knowledge this is the largest collection of data on auto-exodontia to date.
Conclusions: Auto-exodontia is rare and therefore seldom reported in the literature. The majority of cases reported occurred in patients with psychiatric co-morbidities and history of self-injurious behaviour. Such behaviour may be the result of self-mutilation due to either: mental illness, altered mind states cause by substance misuse, or perceived extreme need for dental treatment.
This literature review provides clinicians with up to date information on the current status regarding auto-extraction in patients with varying co-morbidities.