Management of Retained Deciduous Second Molars; with Congenitally Missing Second Premolars in Young Adults: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective: Congenitally missing teeth is a common dental anomaly, with the second premolars having a very
high incidence after the third molars. Congenitally missing premolars may be associated with presence or
absence of retained deciduous second molars. The objective of this case report is to describe the
management of retained second deciduous molars with missing second premolars in a young adult patient.
Case Description: This article reports a case of a 20 –year old female patient, an undergraduate in a Nigerian
university, who presented to the dental clinic complaints of shocking sensation in one of her teeth in the
maxillary right quadrant. Clinical examination revealed presence of retained deciduous second molars,
bilaterally on the mandible and the maxillary right quadrant, with congenitally missing second premolars.
There was a class II carious lesion on the maxillary deciduous second molar. The patient oblivious of the
condition was bothered by the shocking sensation on the maxillary deciduous second molar. Amalgam was
the restorative material used to treat the carious tooth.
Conclusion: It is imperative to maintain or restore the health (the anatomic and physiologic function) of the
retained deciduous second molars in cases of congenitally missing second premolars.