NATAL AND NEONATAL TEETH: A CASE REPORT


Çakıcı Ş., Akkoç S.

3rd International Congress of Contemporary Pediatric Dentistry (ICCPD 2023), Sivas, Turkey, 15 - 17 September 2023, pp.48

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • Doi Number: 10.51463/cpd.2023.s1
  • City: Sivas
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.48
  • Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This case report presents the management of natal and neonatal teeth in a seven-day-old female infant. The patient was referred to our clinic by the Department of Pediatrics because a tooth-like structure was noticed on the lower jaw at birth. Examinations of the baby’s oral cavity in the anterior mandibular region revealed the natal tooth at the left lower central incisor position and an adjacent bulge at the right lower central incisor position. After a complete examination, according to Helbing’s classification, this natal tooth with considerable mobility was defined to be category 2, and the bulge appearance was category 4. The treatment was planned to follow the bulge area and extraction of the tooth due to the high aspiration risk. The plan of treatment and the fact that the natal tooth may belong to the primary dentition were comprehensively explained. Subsequently, the baby was given intramuscular vitamin K and the tooth was extracted. Curettage of the socket was performed to remove any odontogenic remnants. To evaluate the bulge area, a control session was planned two weeks later, which revealed that the mobile neonatal tooth was exposed. Furthermore, the mother stated that this condition caused her breast injury and feeding difficulties. For these reasons, the neonatal tooth was extracted using the same procedure as the natal tooth. In this case report, we aim to discuss the option of extraction in the management of birth teeth. Extraction may be the safest option if the teeth are mobile, even if natal/neonatal teeth are components of primary dentition. In addition, we propose a short-range follow-up of the fourth category of natal teeth in Helbing’s classification because gingival mucosa may become traumatized during breastfeeding, exposing the mobile teeth, and therefore may increase the risk for the tooth to be inhaled or swallowed by the infant.