Doctors at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Thane district of Maharashtra have successfully removed natal teeth from a premature newborn weighing only 1.196 kg, preventing potentially serious health complications, an official statement issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation said.
The delicate procedure was carried out on July 10 in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where the baby was receiving specialised care.
The infant, born prematurely, was found to have natal teeth – a rare condition in which one or more teeth are present at birth, it said.
Medical experts say natal teeth occur in approximately one out of every 2,000 to 3,500 births and it is a rare situation. Around 85 per cent of cases involve the lower front central teeth.
Why the surgery was needed
Doctors decided to remove the teeth because they posed several health risks.
The statement said that the teeth could have interfered with breastfeeding and, as they were extremely loose, there was a risk they could become dislodged and enter the baby’s airway, leading to aspiration.
The condition also increased the likelihood of developing Riga-Fede ulcer, a painful injury to the tongue caused by repeated contact with the teeth.
Multidisciplinary team performed the procedure
The successful surgery of the baby was performed by honorary paediatric dentist Dr Shreya Bapat in coordination with Dr Pallavi Khale, Head of the Dental Department, along with Dr Dhairyashil Edke and Dr Divya Mokashi, the civic officials said.
The Paediatrics Department, led by Dr Shailaja Potdar, also played a key role in ensuring the procedure was carried out safely, it further stated.
A challenging but successful operation
Treating an extremely low birth weight premature baby in the NICU requires careful planning and close coordination between specialists, the statement said.
The hospital officials said that the operation was completed successfully without any complications, allowing the baby to breastfeed safely and continue healthy growth and development.
Hospital Dean Dr Swapnali Kadam said similar procedures have been performed at the hospital in the past, but this is believed to be the lowest birth weight infant to undergo successful natal teeth removal at the facility.