%0 Journal Article
%T Natal and Neonatal Teeth: An Overview of the Literature
%A Shubhangi Mhaske
%A Monal B. Yuwanati
%A Ashok Mhaske
%A Raju Ragavendra
%A Kavitha Kamath
%A Swati Saawarn
%J ISRN Pediatrics
%D 2013
%R 10.1155/2013/956269
%X The occurrence of natal and neonatal teeth is an uncommon anomaly, which for centuries has been associated with diverse superstitions among different ethnic groups. Natal teeth are more frequent than neonatal teeth, with the ratio being approximately 3£¿:£¿1. It must be considered that natal and neonatal teeth are conditions of fundamental importance not only for a dental surgeon but also for a paediatrician since their presence may lead to numerous complications. Early detection and treatment of these teeth are recommended because they may induce deformity or mutilation of tongue, dehydration, inadequate nutrients intake by the infant, and growth retardation, the pattern and time of eruption of teeth and its morphology. This paper presents a concise review of the literature about neonatal teeth. 1. Introduction Natal teeth are teeth present at birth, and ¡°neonatal teeth¡± are teeth erupted within the first month of life. Premature eruption of a tooth at the time of birth or too early is combined with many misconceptions. They are further accompanied by various difficulties, such as pain on suckling and refusal to feed, faced by the mother and the child due to the natal tooth/teeth. Some families are so superstitious that the afflicted child may be deprived of parental love. The family hopes that the offending teeth be removed as soon as possible. Natal and neonatal teeth have been a subject of curiosity and study since the time it was first documented by Titus Livius, in 59£¿BC. Gaius Plinius Secundus (the Elder), in 23£¿BC, believed that a splendid future awaited male infants with natal teeth. In some countries, the child is considered to be monstrous and bearer of misfortune for example. As per Chinese tradition it is considered as a bad omen for girls [1]. 2. Terminology and Synonyms Dentitia praecox, dens connatalis, congenital teeth, fetal teeth, infancy teeth, predeciduous teeth, and precocious dentition are some of the terminologies used previously [1, 9, 12, 21, 65]. Lack of specificity and accuracy in description of the condition leads to subsequent discontinuity of these terms. The analogous terms of ¡°natal¡± and ¡°neonatal¡± teeth described by Massler and Savara are now most accepted [4]. These terms broadly describe the teeth that are erupted at birth or shortly thereafter. Although these terms only define the time of eruption and give no hint whether the tooth is a component of primary dentition or whether it is supernumerary, newer synonyms should be explored. 3. Proposed Classifications The natal and neonatal teeth that do not confirm the
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.pediatrics/2013/956269/