Natal Teeth — NDEB AFK MCQ

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EasyPaediatric DentistryNatal TeethNDEB AFK

A child is born with teeth already present in the mouth. These teeth are called which of the following?

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Correct answer: D — Natal teeth

Natal teeth are teeth present at birth. Neonatal teeth erupt within the first 30 days of life. Most natal teeth (approximately 85%) are prematurely erupted primary teeth (usually mandibular central incisors) rather than supernumerary teeth. They may be mobile due to limited root development. Management depends on mobility: if extremely mobile with aspiration risk, extraction is recommended. If stable, they can be retained with smoothing of sharp incisal edges if traumatising the mother's nipple during breastfeeding.

Reference: Dean – McDonald and Avery's Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent, 11th ed., 2021