Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The second lower molars are the deciduous teeth that are most frequently retained into the permanent dentition. Retained primary teeth, also known as primary retention, can occur for several reasons, including the premature loss of adjacent permanent teeth or the absence of their permanent successors. In the case of lower second molars, they often remain in the mouth longer compared to other primary teeth due to their position and the timing of the eruption of permanent teeth.

This phenomenon occurs as the next permanent teeth erupt later than the lower second molars, which can lead to the retention of these primary roots. Moreover, if there are any developmental anomalies or missing permanent premolars, it can further contribute to the retention of the primary second molars. Understanding this is critical for dental practitioners in order to plan for potential orthodontic and restorative needs for their patients.