title: Natal teeth: a sign of fortuity or grave misfortune.
abstract: Natal teeth are defined as those present in the mouth at birth. They are uncommon and most frequently occur in the anterior mandible as a pair of primary incisors. They are usually small and poorly developed with little or no root formation. Only 10% of these teeth are supernumerary. Problems arising are difficulty suckling, severe ulceration of the child's tongue or the mother's breast and the risk of aspiration. These situations would warrant extraction. If the natal teeth are firm and asymptomatic, conservative management is indicated. Negative cultural attitudes towards natal teeth demand good parental counselling and vigilant management in relation to child protection.
authors: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, The Royal London Hospital, First Floor, John Harrison House, Philpot Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 1BB.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Sothinathan
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Shakib
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002651:Child Advocacy; D003469:Culture; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009306:Natal Teeth / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014096:Tooth, Supernumerary / Q000473:pathology