Natal and neonatal teeth: a clinical study.

In a survey of 18,155 infants, 7,155 of whom were examined personally, the prevalence of natal teeth was one in 716 for the infants examined and one in 3,667 for those surveyed. Another group of 38 infants and children with 61 natal and neonatal teeth were examined prospectively. All were mandibular central incisors. Sixty-one percent of the subjects had a pair of natal or neonatal teeth (or both). Ninety-five percent of the natal and neonatal teeth were normal primary central incisors, and 5% were supernumerary primary central incisors. Initially, in 31% of the teeth, enamel dysplasia was seen, the occurrence of which correlated with the duration of the gingival covering. It is recommended that natal and neonatal teeth be left in place, if possible, and removed only if they are extremely mobile, such that reattachment is unlikely.