Natal Teeth — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModeratePaediatric Dentistry PrinciplesNatal TeethMFDS Part 1

Natal teeth are teeth present in the oral cavity at birth. Which tooth type is most commonly affected?

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Correct answer: D — Mandibular primary central incisors

Natal teeth are most commonly mandibular primary central incisors, often occurring as a pair. Most represent premature eruption of teeth from the normal primary dentition rather than supernumerary teeth. Maxillary central incisors and mandibular canines can be affected but are substantially less common. Natal primary molars and maxillary canines are rare presentations. Natal teeth are distinguished from neonatal teeth, which erupt during the first 30 days after birth. This anatomical distribution is consistent across the published literature and is not dependent on prescribing or jurisdiction-specific management guidance.

Reference: Leung AKC, Robson WLM. Natal teeth: a review. Journal of the National Medical Association. 2006;98(2):226-228. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16708508/