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Oral findings in a group of newborn Swedish children
Insights
Oral examinations of 1021 newborns revealed common mucosal cysts and specific frenum attachments. Most infants had normal alveolar ridge relationships, though open bites were frequent.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Oral Health
- Neonatal Oral Examination
Background:
- Neonatal oral examinations are crucial for identifying congenital anomalies and developmental variations.
- Understanding the prevalence of common oral findings in newborns provides a baseline for pediatric dental care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the prevalence of various oral findings in a cohort of Swedish newborns.
- To describe the morphology and location of oral mucosal cysts and frenum attachments.
- To assess the relationship of alveolar ridges and the incidence of open bites in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional oral examination of 1021 newborn infants.
- Follow-up examinations of 101 infants at 2-3 or 4-5 months.
- Systematic recording of oral mucosal cysts, ankyloglossia, Fordyce spots, frenum attachments, alveolar ridge relationships, and open bites.
Main Results:
- Oral mucosal cysts were the most common finding (74.9%), with palatal cysts often resolving post-birth.
- Ankyloglossia (2.5%) and Fordyce spots (1.0%) were observed; no natal teeth were found.
- High prevalence of distal mandibular to maxillary anterior alveolar ridge relationship (99%) and lingual posterior relationship (97.6%). Open bite observed in 39.8% of infants.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal oral examinations reveal a high prevalence of oral mucosal cysts and specific alveolar ridge relationships.
- The findings highlight the importance of routine neonatal oral screening for early detection of potential issues.
- Further research can explore the long-term implications of these neonatal oral findings.
Abstract:
Oral examinations were performed of 1021 newborn Swedish children, of whom 101 were re-examined after 2-3 or 4-5 months. The most common findings, registered in 74.9% of the children, were of oral mucosal cysts situated either palatally or on the alveolar ridges. The majority of the palatal cysts disappeared shortly after birth, and some alveolar cysts appeared after birth. Ankyloglossia was found in 2.5% of the children, and Fordyce spots in 1.0%. No natal teeth were found. The upper labial frenum was attached to the crest of the alveolar ridge in 76.7% of the children, palatally in 16.7% and buccally in 6.7%. The relationship of the alveolar ridges was recorded: the anterior segment of the mandibular ridge was distal to the maxillary in 99% of cases, and, posteriorly, the mandibular ridges were lingual to the maxillary in 97.6%. An open bite was found in 39.8% of the children.