NATAL AND NEONATAL TEETH- AN UNCOMMON ORAL FINDING: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN PAKISTANI SUBJECTS 1DAUD MIRZA

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, types of teeth present at the time of birth and reasons for extraction of natal and neonatal teeth in Pakistani neonates. This cross sectional hospital based study was carried out during the period February 2011 to May 2013 at different dental colleges of Karachi and Hyderabad. All neonates with natal and neonatal teeth referred from different dental sections of Karachi and Hyderabad were included in the study. Their characteristics, common sites of eruptions, complications and reasons for extractions were observed and analyzed. A total of 22 patients were selected for data analysis out of which 8 (36.4%) were males and 14 (63.6%) were females and standard deviation was SD±9.74. Out of 22 subjects studied, 17(77.3%) had natal and 05(22.7%) neonatal teeth which were uncomfortable both for the mother and the neonate. The most common teeth present at the time of birth were mandibular central incisors. It was concluded that it was a benign but rare condition of oral cavity among Pakistani neonates which requires special attention when causing feeding problems for mothers and children