Natal teeth: a review.

Abstract

The incidence of natal teeth is approximately 1:2,000 to 1:3,000 live births. The most commonly affected teeth are the lower primary central incisors. Natal teeth usually occur in pairs. The eruption of more than two natal teeth is rare. The majority of natal teeth represent the early eruption of normal primary deciduous dentition. Less than 10% of natal teeth are supernumerary. Natal teeth might resemble normal primary dentition in size and shape; however, the teeth are often smaller, conical and yellowish, and have hypoplastic enamel and dentin with poor or absent root formation. Complications include discomfort during suckling, sublingual ulceration, laceration of the mother's breasts and aspiration of the teeth. A dental roentgenogram is indicated to differentiate the premature eruption of a primary tooth from a supernumerary tooth. Tooth extraction is indicated if the tooth is supernumerary or excessively mobile. If the tooth does not interfere with breastfeeding and is otherwise asymptomatic, no treatment is necessary.