Retained Baby Teeth in Adults: Causes and Treatment  
 
In some patients, retained baby teeth occur due to the absence of permanent tooth buds, leading to a lack of permanent teeth, or due to impacted permanent teeth underneath. This causes baby teeth to remain in place for an extended period.  
 
**The Natural Process of Baby Tooth Shedding:**  
As permanent teeth develop, they exert pressure, causing the roots of baby teeth to gradually resorb. Over time, the baby teeth with short roots become loose and may eventually fall out. Afterward, patients often require replacement teeth.  
 
**Causes of Retained Baby Teeth:**  
– Missing permanent tooth buds or misaligned permanent teeth that fail to replace the baby tooth.  
– This issue frequently occurs with canines, which may remain impacted in the palate while the baby tooth persists. Over time, the baby tooth weakens and needs to be replaced.  
 
**Treatment Approach:**  
1. **Surgical Extraction:** Removal of impacted permanent teeth.  
2. **Dental Implants:** Placement of small dental implants to replace the extracted baby teeth.  
 
**Treatment Steps:**  
1. X-ray examination to assess the bone structure in the area of the implant.  
2. Implant placement followed by crown restoration.  
 
**Bone Grafting Considerations:**  
– If sufficient bone remains around the retained baby tooth, bone grafting may not be necessary, or only minimal grafting is required.  
– If the bone is insufficient, grafting must be performed before implant placement.  
 
**Key Steps in the Process:**  
– Surgical removal of impacted teeth.  
– Placement of dental implants.  
– Crown restoration to complete the treatment.