Natal teeth in an infant and its management: a case report

Abstract

The presence of teeth at birth or within a month after birth is a rare anomaly referred as natal or neonatal teeth. Natal teeth are most commonly observed in mandibular primary central incisor region and mostly occur in pairs. They are often conical, smaller and yellowish than primary teeth and have hypoplastic enamel and dentin with poor or absent root. Such anomalous teeth might lead to interference and discomfort while feeding, sublingual ulceration and risk of aspiration of teeth and hence would require extraction. The present case report describes the management of natal teeth in an eleven days old baby requiring extraction along with parental counseling.