Natal and neonatal teeth in Bahrain : a review of 19 cases

Abstract EN

This paper aimed to present 29 natal/neonatal teeth in 19 patients and subsequently described clinical characteristics, associated disorders, and treatments.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of Bahraini neonates with natal or neonatal teeth who reported to the pediatric dental clinic, Dental and Maxillofacial Center, Bahrain Defense Forces-Royal Medical Services, Kingdom of Bahrain, conducted over a decade.

Information about age, gender, mothers’ chief complaint, the clinical appearance of natal/neonatal teeth, location, associated complications, and treatments were collected.

Results: A total of 29 teeth (20 natal, 9 neonatal) were diagnosed in 19 infants.

There was a female predilection (14 females, 4 males).

Twenty-eight of the natal/neonatal teeth were located in the lower central incisor area and one tooth in the lower lateral incisor area.

Almost half of the infants (n=9, 47.4%) were diagnosed with a pair of teeth, and only one infant was distinguished with a total of three natal/ neonatal teeth.

Three cases were associated with Riga-Fede disease, five with gingival hyperplasia, and one with enamel hypoplasia.

Intraoral radiographs were taken selectively for some of the patients.

Extraction was the most common treatment choice.

Conclusion: The occurrence of a natal/neonatal tooth is considered a rare phenomenon.

It showed diverse clinical characteristics which could lead to various complications.

In this study, natal teeth were more common than neonatal teeth, with a preference for females.

The decision to retain or extract a natal/ neonatal tooth should be evaluated in each case, keeping in mind multiple factors like scientific evidence-based knowledge, clinical judgment, and parental opinion.