Clinical Image
A newborn male was found to have a 2mm x 3mm hard yellow mass attached to a fleshy pedunculated stalk connected to the inferior mandibular gingiva (Figure 1). No other abnormalities were noted. The patient was born to a 21-year-old Black female G1P0 at 39 weeks and 2 days via vaginal delivery. Prenatal care was uncomplicated.
Figure 1: Pedunculated natal tooth connected to the inferior mandibular gingiva (arrow).
The diagnosis of natal tooth was made based on clinical findings. The incidence of natal tooth is between 1:2,000 to 1:3,000. The most common location is the lower central incisors [1]. Natal tooth is a benign finding, however it can be associated with cleft lip & pallet and some congenital craniofacial syndromes [2]. Complications from natal tooth include laceration of the mother’s breast, discomfort with breastfeeding, and aspiration of the tooth. Tooth extraction is indicated for breastfeeding difficulties, supernumerary teeth, or excessive mobility that can lead to tooth aspiration [3].
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