Natal teeth are teeth that are present at birth. Neonatal teeth are teeth that emerge through the gingiva during the first month of life.

The incidence of neonatal teeth varies considerably, between 1:700 - 1:30,000 depending on the type of study. ; the highest prevalence is found in the only study that relies on personal examination of patients.

Treatment, Massler and Savara recommend "leaving them alone, unless they are causing difficulty to the infant and mother".

However some recommend that they be removed as the tooth can cut or amputate the tip of the tongue.

[edit] References

• Natal and neonatal teeth: A review of twenty-four cases reported in the literature Maury Massler; Bhim Sen Savara The Journal of pediatrics(volume 36 issue 3 Pages 349-359)
• Natal and neonatal teeth: a clinical study:Kates GA, Needleman HL, Holmes LB:J Am Dent Assoc 109:441-43, 1984.