Park JS, Patel J, Seewoo BJ, King NM, Anthonappa RP. Literature review and micro-computed tomography analysis of natal teeth: A pilot study.
ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019;
10:e12466. [PMID:
31541528 DOI:
10.1111/jicd.12466]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM
To outline the current literature surrounding natal teeth, and then, in a pilot study, to evaluate natal teeth using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to determine their anatomical profile, and compare and contrast different analytical methods to assess natal teeth.
METHODS
2 extracted natal teeth (mandibular central incisors) and 1 exfoliated mandibular primary central incisor were subjected to micro-CT analysis.
RESULTS
Within natal teeth, there were no statistical differences in tooth mineral density (TMD) of both enamel and dentine (P > .05), whereas mandibular primary central incisors had a significantly higher TMD of both enamel and dentine in comparison with both natal tooth 1 and natal tooth 2 (P < .05). Mandibular primary central incisors had a greater thickness and volume of both enamel and dentine, but exhibited lower pulpal space volume.
CONCLUSION
Micro-CT is an alternative and non-invasive method to anatomically assess natal teeth. According to the pilot study, natal teeth exhibited lower TMD, decreased enamel and dentine thickness, and smaller pulpal space volume in comparison with mandibular primary incisor teeth. This pilot study creates a foundation to establish the collection and analysis of natal teeth on a larger scale over time using micro-CT.
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