Dilaceration of a primary maxillary incisor associated with neonatal laryngoscopy

Neonatal laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation often are required for prematurely born, low birthweight children. Previous studies have shown that these procedures are associated with a high prevalence of enamel hypoplasia of the maxillary anterior teeth. The present case report, which describes dilaceration of a left maxillary primary central incisor probably resulting from laryngoscopy, strongly supports the hypothesis that irreversible trauma to the dentition may result from endotracheal intubation.