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Retained deciduous teeth: the epidemiology, etiology and treatment plans

  • Ruiyi Jiang1
  • Ruijie Huang1,*,

1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan, China

DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2025.023 Vol.49,Issue 2,March 2025 pp.51-58

Submitted: 01 March 2024 Accepted: 23 April 2024

Published: 03 March 2025

*Corresponding Author(s): Ruijie Huang E-mail: ruijmhuang@gmail.com

Abstract

Retained deciduous teeth (RDT), also known as persistent primary teeth, are commonly observed in children and adolescents. They frequently present in clinical settings, yet there is a lack of comprehensive summaries on this condition. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the epidemiology and etiology of RDT, provide recommendations for treatment and potential prevention, and increase awareness of this condition among dentists and the general public. The prevalence of RDT has risen in recent years, attributed to poor oral habits such as reduced mastication due to the consumption of softer foods, with the highest reported prevalence being 59.8%. The etiologies of RDT include ectopic tooth eruption, developmental issues, dental caries, apical periodontitis, genetic diseases and lifestyle habits. Factors such as race, gender and geographic regions also contribute to its prevalence. If not addressed properly, RDT can have adverse effects on physical and mental health. The treatment plan for RDT depends on whether a permanent tooth is inherited, whether the permanent tooth is positioned correctly, and the patient’s age. Given the scarce reports on RDT, this narrative review is based on limited literature and clinical experience. Future studies should focus on the etiology and large-scale epidemiology of RDT to improve the overall welfare of children affected by this condition.


Keywords

Retained deciduous teeth; Craniofacial development; Deciduous tooth; Oral health


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Ruiyi Jiang,Ruijie Huang. Retained deciduous teeth: the epidemiology, etiology and treatment plans. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2025. 49(2);51-58.

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