Scanning Electron Microscopy and Macroscopic Examination of Prematurely Erupted Teeth in Preterm Infants

Prematurely erupted teeth are rare in fullterm neonates and extremely prematurely delivered infants. The aim of this study was to present macroscopic scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations primary preterm very low birthweight (VLBW) (ELBW) Three VLBW ELBW infants with lower incisors were examined. dental examination assessed the type, location, clinical appearance, degree mobility teeth. structural appearance enamel dentin three extracted longitudinally sectioned investigated (SEM). Lower rootless hypermobility. surface hypoplastic hypomineralized had a typical “honeycomb” SEM. aprismatic type visible some regions. neonatal line separating layer prenatal from postnatal observed. prisms interconnected by interprismatic substances, cross-striations visible. Dentin presented tubular character. dentinal near junction Y-shaped branching tubules. On pulpal side, globular SEM particularly revealed alterations enamel, while nearly normal appearance.