Natal and neonatal teeth a case series - from south India

Abstract

Teeth eruption into the oral cavity follows a chronology. Small variations depending on endocrine, genetic and environmental factors can alter the chronology of teeth eruption. The occurrence of teeth at birth is called natal teeth and when teeth arise within 30 days of birth it is called neonatal teeth. The occurrence of natal and neonatal teeth is an uncommon anomaly. It is associated with a lot of superstition in various ethnic group. If the natal and neonatal teeth do not interfere with feeding nor are they causing any ulceration they can be left in place. Some natal and neonatal teeth cause injury to the mother on feeding and can cause tongue ulceration in the neonate. In such cases the teeth can be removed. If the natal and neonatal teeth are extremely mobile such that reattachment in unlikely and there is a danger of aspiration of the tooth, then they can be removed. We describe in this report 4 neonates with natal and neonatal teeth.