The impact of premature birth on the permanent tooth size of incisors and first molars

• Published in: European journal of orthodontics Vol. 39; no. 6; pp. 622 - 627
• Main Authors: Ebrahim, Eman, Paulsson, Liselotte
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 30.11.2017
• Subjects: Child; Dentition, Permanent; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Incisor - anatomy & histology; Incisor - growth & development; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Male; Maxilla - anatomy & histology; Maxilla - growth & development; Molar - anatomy & histology; Molar - growth & development; Odontometry - methods; Premature Birth - pathology; Premature Birth - physiopathology; Tooth Crown - anatomy & histology; Tooth Crown - growth & development
• ISSN: 0141-5387; 1460-2210; 1460-2210
• DOI: 10.1093/ejo/cjx021

Scientific evidence is insufficient to answer the question of whether premature birth causes altered tooth-crown dimensions. To evaluate permanent tooth-crown dimensions in prematurely born children and to compare the findings with full-term born controls. Preterm children of 8-10 years of age were selected from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. One group consisted of 36 extremely preterm children (born before the 29th gestational week); the other group included 37 very preterm children (born during gestational weeks 29-32). The preterm children were compared with 41 matched full-term born children. Clinical examination and study casts were performed on all children. Permanent maxillary and mandibular first molars, central incisors, and laterals were measured with a digital sliding caliper on study casts. The tooth-crowns were measured both mesio-distal and bucco-lingual. Both the mesio-distal and bucco-lingual measurements in the maxillary and mandibular first molars had a significantly smaller width in the extremely preterm group compared with the full-term group. The central incisors and lower laterals were significantly smaller mesio-distally in the extremely preterm group compared to the full-term group. A reduction in tooth size of 4-9% was found between the extremely preterm group and the full-term group for both boys and girls. The maxillary first molars and mandibular left first molar were also smaller mesio-distally in the extremely preterm group compared to the very preterm group. The results indicate that the more preterm the birth, the smaller the tooth-crown dimensions. Independent of gestational age girls had generally smaller teeth than boys. Premature birth is associated with reduced tooth-crown dimensions of permanent incisors and first molars.