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Natal and neonatal teeth: A case series and management flow chart Ka Hey Christy Chan Isabelle Holroyd Alexandra Lyne Dental Update 2025 52:5, 326-330.
Authors
Ka Hey ChristyChan
BDS, MFDS, Dental Core Trainee, Paediatric Dentistry Department, Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, London; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, King's College Hospital, London.
Natal and neonatal teeth newborns have a prevalence range of 1:2000–3500 live births. Depending on the extent of consequent mobility, natal and neonatal teeth can pose a risk of aspiration, or cause trauma to the mother during nursing or intra-oral ulceration in the infant. A retrospective audit of paediatric dentistry clinics was conducted covering December 2019 to March 2023, identifying infants who were referred shortly after birth (up to 3 months of age). Thirty infants were identified with a range of oral diagnoses. A majority had natal or neonatal teeth (n=19), followed by soft tissue anomalies such as eruption cyst, Bohn's nodules, Epstein's pearls, and an alveolar notch. Natal and neonatal teeth are rare, but can be distressing for parents. Cases were managed with reassurance and monitoring, or extraction of natal/neonatal teeth in certain circumstances. A management flow chart is presented to help neonatal teams and general dental practitioners to determine the most appropriate course of action.
CPD/Clinical Relevance:
Depending on the extent of mobility, natal and neonatal teeth can pose a risk of aspiration or result in trauma to the mother during nursing.
Article
Natal teeth are teeth present at birth, while neonatal teeth are those that erupt within the first month of life.1 Natal and neonatal teeth are uncommon findings, with a prevalence range of 1:2000–3500 live births.2 Their prevalence has been reported to be higher in certain populations, particularly among Chinese infants (to 1991).3 Natal teeth are three times more common than neonatal teeth, and are slightly more prevalent in girls.2,4
Over 90% of natal and neonatal teeth are premature eruption of deciduous teeth, with less than 10% supernumerary.2 According to Bodenhoff and Gorlin's findings, 85% of natal teeth are lower incisors, 11% are maxillary incisors, with canines and molars accounting for the remaining 4%.5
The exact aetiology of natal teeth and neonatal teeth is unknown.2 It has been suggested that the existence of natal teeth could be related to superficial positioning of the tooth germs, an accelerated pattern of dental development or increased resorption of overlying bone.6,7 It may also be a normal variation in dental development.
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