{{Infobox medical condition (new) | name = Neonatal teeth | synonyms = Natal teeth | image = | caption = | pronounce = | field = Dentistry | symptoms = | complications = | onset = | duration = | types = | causes = | risks = | diagnosis = | differential = | prevention = | treatment = | medication = | prognosis = | frequency = | deaths = }}
'''Natal teeth''' are teeth that are present above the gumline (have already erupted) at birth, and '''neonatal teeth''' are teeth that emerge through the gingiva during the first month of life (the neonatal period).<ref name=Seminario>{{cite journal|last=Seminario|first=AL|author2=Ivancaková, R|title=Natal and neonatal teeth.|journal=Acta Medica |year=2004|volume=47|issue=4|pages=229–33|pmid=15841901|doi=10.14712/18059694.2018.96|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=joadms2016/>
The incidence of neonatal teeth varies considerably, between 1:700 and 1:30,000 depending on the type of study; the highest prevalence is found in the only study that relies on personal examination of patients.<ref name="Massler">{{cite journal|last=MASSLER|first=M|author2=SAVARA, BS|title=Natal and neonatal teeth; a review of 24 cases reported in the literature.|journal=The Journal of Pediatrics|date=March 1950|volume=36|issue=3|pages=349–59|pmid=15405415|url=http://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(50)80105-1/abstract|doi=10.1016/S0022-3476(50)80105-1|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Natal teeth, and neonatal teeth, can be the baby's normal deciduous teeth, sprouting prematurely.<ref name=Nih/> These should be preserved, if possible. Alternately, they could be supernumerary teeth, extra teeth, not part of the normal allotment of teeth.<ref name=NatalReview2006/>
==Signs and symptoms== Most often natal teeth are mandibular central incisors.<ref name=Kates>{{cite journal|last=Kates|first=GA|author2=Needleman, HL |author3=Holmes, LB |title=Natal and neonatal teeth: a clinical study|journal=Journal of the American Dental Association|date=September 1984|volume=109|issue=3|pages=441–3|pmid=6592231|doi=10.14219/jada.archive.1984.0415}}</ref> They have little root structure and are attached to the end of the gum by soft tissue and are often mobile.<ref name=MedlinePlus>{{cite web|title=Natal teeth|url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003268.htm|publisher=MedlinePlus : U.S. National Library of Medicine|access-date=7 April 2013}}</ref>
==Causes== Most of the time, natal teeth are not related to a medical condition. However, sometimes they may be associated with:<ref name=MedlinePlus /> * Ellis–van Creveld syndrome<ref name=MedlinePlus /><ref name=Ellis-van>{{cite web|title=Ellis-van Creveld syndrome|url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001667.htm|publisher=MedlinePlus : U.S. National Library of Medicine|access-date=7 April 2013}}</ref> * Hallermann–Streiff syndrome<ref name=MedlinePlus /> * Pierre Robin syndrome<ref name=MedlinePlus /> * Sotos syndrome<ref name=MedlinePlus />
==Treatment== No intervention is usually recommended unless they are causing difficulty to the infant or mother.<ref name="Massler" />
However some recommend that they be removed as the tooth can cut or amputate the tip of the tongue.
<!-- Since natal and neo-natal teeth can erupt without roots, or inadequate roots, they can come loose and form a choking hazard for the infant.<ref name=Nih/>
Natal or neo-natal teeth can be the baby's normal deciduous teeth, sprouting prematurely.<ref name=Nih/> In that case it is recommended to take steps to preserve them. Poorly formed teeth, without roots, or with inadequate roots, can be easily removed, sometimes without tools, with a doctor's fingers, alone.{{cn}} --> They should be left in the mouth as long as possible to decrease the likelihood of removing permanent tooth buds with the natal tooth.<ref name=Martinez>{{cite journal|last=Martinez|first=CR|title=Management of natal teeth|journal=The Journal of Family Practice|date=March 1978|volume=6|issue=3|pages=654–5|pmid=632777}}</ref> They should also not be removed if the infant has hypoprothrombinemia.<ref name=Martinez /> In case of complications when the natal teeth need to be removed, dental radiographs should be obtained whenever possible, and evaluated and followed up with pediatric dentists.<ref name=Martinez />
==Society and culture== ===Notable cases=== * Napoleon Bonaparte<ref name=NatalReview2006/><ref name=notable/> * Louis XIV<ref name=NatalReview2006/><ref name=notable/> * Richard III<ref name=NatalReview2006/><ref name=notable/> * Ivan the Terrible<ref name=notable>{{cite book|last1=Berkovitz|first1=Barry K.B|title=Nothing but the Tooth: A Dental Odyssey|date=2012|publisher=Newnes|isbn=978-0-12-397193-7|page=126|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-qU3eFE5lg8C&pg=PA126|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref> * Kate Mulgrew<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/28/kate-mulgrew-bares-her-teeth.html|title=Kate Mulgrew Bares Her Teeth|work=The Daily Beast|date=April 28, 2015|first=Kevin|last=Fallon|access-date=May 1, 2015}}</ref> * Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau<ref name=NatalReview2006/> * Cardinal Mazarin<ref name=NatalReview2006/> * Cardinal Richelieu<ref name=NatalReview2006/> * Zoroaster<ref name=NatalReview2006/> * Hannibal<ref name=NatalReview2006/> *Manius Curius Dentatus (purportedly this was the meaning of his surname)
==References==
{{Reflist|refs= <ref name=NatalReview2006> {{cite journal | title = Natal Teeth: A Review| journal = Journal of the National Medical Association| author = Alexander K.C. Leung, William Lane M. Robson| date = 2006| pages = 226–8| quote = <!-- Natal teeth were reported during Roman times by Titus Livius (59 BC) and Caius Plinius Secundus (23 BC) and were described in the cuneiform inscriptions found at Nineveh. Superstitions and folklore about natal teeth have varied from claims that affected children were exceptionally favored by fate to the belief that they were doomed. --> Historical figures, such as Richard III, Louis XIV, Napoleon, Mirabeau, Mazarin, Cardinal Richelieu, Zoroaster and Hannibal, were described as examples of the former. <!-- In England, infants born with natal teeth were considered destined to be famous soldiers, while those born in France and Italy were considered future conquerors of the world. In China, Poland, India and Africa, affected children were considered monsters and bearers of misfortune. --> | pmc=2595049 | pmid=16708508 | volume=98|issue = 2}} </ref>
<ref name=joadms2016> {{cite news | url = http://www.joadms.org/download/article1/12042016_51/1459953030.pdf| title = Dentitia Praecox - Natal Teeth: A Case Report and Review| work = Journal of Applied Dental and Medical Sciences| author = Akash Ardeshana, Seema Bargale, Anuradha Karri, Bhavna Dave| date = January–March 2016| volume = 2 | issue = 1 <!-- NLM ID: 101671413 ISSN:2454-2288 -->| access-date = 2018-11-08| quote = Exact etiology for this condition is unknown. Different factors like heredity, environmental toxicant, endocrine disturbances, and superficial position of tooth germ are associated with etiology}} </ref>
<ref name=Nih> {{cite journal| title = Management of an infant having natal teeth|author=Vishal Khandelwal |author2=Ullal Anand Nayak |author3=Prathibha Anand Nayak |author4=Yash Bafna | date = 2013-06-02| quote = If the erupted tooth is diagnosed as a tooth of the normal dentition, each of the other situations mentioned above should be considered. It also avoids future space management issues. The maintenance of these teeth in the mouth is the first treatment option, unless this would cause injury to the baby.| pmc=3703024| pmid=23737593| doi=10.1136/bcr-2013-010049| volume=2013| pages = bcr2013010049| journal=BMJ Case Rep}} </ref> }}
== External links == {{Medical resources | DiseasesDB = | ICD10 = | ICD9 = | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = 003268 | eMedicineSubj = | eMedicineTopic = | MeshID = }} {{oral pathology}}
Category:Neonatology Category:Types of teeth Category:Congenital disorders Category:Human mouth anatomy