198 - Natal Teeth Incidence and Management in Western Pennsylvania

Natal Teeth Incidence and Management in Western Pennsylvania

Lane K, Chapman M, Baumhardt H

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Purpose: This study aims to satisfy two objectives; 1) to determine the incidence of natal teeth in infants born in Western Pennsylvania, and 2) to develop a visual aid to be used for parents of infants with natal/neonatal teeth. The goal of developing a handout for parents is to help guide them in the management of their infant’s natal teeth and serve as a reference tool they can use when questions arise after their dental evaluation.

Methods: Performed chart review of 40 patients seen at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in the Dental or Cleft-Craniofacial Clinic from April 2021-October 2022 to evaluate for presence or absence of natal teeth, the treatment of present natal teeth, and cleft status. The counties in which the patients live were collected to determine birth rate data for these counties. This information was used to determine prevalence and incidence of natal teeth in patients with cleft lip/palate in Western Pennsylvania. Parent concerns at visits were used to develop a visual aid to be distributed to parents of infants with natal teeth.

Results: A chart review of patients seen at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in the Dental or Cleft-Craniofacial Clinic from April 2021-October 2022 to evaluate for presence or absence of natal teeth, the treatment of present natal teeth, and cleft status yielded 40 patients. Of these 40 patients, 29 had cleft lip/palate and 11 did not have clefts. There were 29 natal teeth, occurring in 18 of the patients. 11 of the patients with natal teeth did not have cleft lip/palate, seven patients did have cleft lip/palate.

The Fisher’s exact test yielded a significant difference (p-value < 0.05), rejecting the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between having a cleft lip/palate and having a natal tooth. Incidence rates of natal teeth during this time period are consistent with previously published incidence reports.

Conclusions:

1. There is an association between natal teeth and cleft lip/palate in patients of Western Pennsylvania.
2. Parents should be properly educated on the treatment and management of natal teeth by their dentist, as parents have many questions and concerns. Visual aids can be a helpful adjunct to the discussion.