The teeth present at birth are called natal teeth, while the teeth that appear within the first thirty days following birth are called neonatal teeth. Approximately one in 2,000 to 3,500 infants experiences the eruption of teeth at birth or within the first few weeks postpartum. Many contributing factors have been suggested for the premature eruption of primary teeth. It has been suggested that upon eruption these teeth are of normal structure according to their developmental age, but after eruption, lateral movement in the cervical area leads to disturbance of the dentin and premature degeneration of Hertwig's root sheath. In most cases, they have immature, aborted structures consisting only of caps of enamel, dentin, or a combination of both. A radiograph can show the presence or absence of enamel, dentin, or root structures, as well as supernumerary teeth. These teeth may be aspirated or swallowed during feeding. Discomfort from mobile and erupting teeth often causes the infant to refuse to feed. In addition, a nursing mother's nipples may become lacerated and infected. Extraction is the indicated treatment if these neonatal teeth cause discomfort or demonstrate mobility or incomplete, immature development. Treatment decisions must be made on an individual basis from both clinical and radiographic findings. We report four cases of neonatal teeth in complete cleft lip and palate patients.
Cleft Lip* ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Humans ; Infant ; Natal Teeth ; Nipples ; Nursing ; Palate* ; Parturition ; Postpartum Period ; Tooth* ; Tooth, Deciduous ; Tooth, Supernumerary

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the frequency of abnormalities in the newborn oral cavity and to evaluate the association with prenatal and perinatal factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 2,216 newborns. Oral findings were assessed in the first 24 hours of life using visual examination. Sex, weight, length, gestational age, and medical disorders at birth were recorded. Maternal demographic and medical information was also obtained. RESULTS: The most common oral findings were Bohn’s nodules, Epstein’s pearls, and dental lamina cysts. Other intraoral findings included odontogenic cysts, ankyloglossia, and natal teeth, among others. In logistic regression analyses, folic acid consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with Bohn’s nodules (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–2.55; P=0.002), Epstein’s pearls (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.14–2.33; P=0.007), and dental lamina cysts (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02–2.05; P=0.038). Moreover, preterm births were negatively associated with prevalence of Bohn’s nodules (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50–0.80; P≤0.0001). Comparison between newborns with and without oral inclusion cysts showed that maternal folic acid and iron intake were significantly different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Maternal folic acid and iron intake were associated with the prevalence of oral inclusion cysts.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Folic Acid ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Iron ; Logistic Models ; Mouth ; Mouth Abnormalities ; Natal Teeth ; Odontogenic Cysts ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Prevalence