Preterm and low birthweight children comprise approximately 6 per cent
of all live births. They are prone to many serious medical problems d
uring the neonatal period which may affect the development of oral tis
sues. The present paper reviews the results of this author's own decad
e of research into the oral development of preterm children in the lig
ht of current understanding of the field. Studies have shown a high pr
evalence of generalized enamel hypoplasia in the primary dentition of
around 40-70 per cent in preterm children which is likely to be associ
ated with low bone mineral stores. The clinical significance of enamel
defects is poor aesthetics, and predisposition of the lesions to dent
al caries. Other dental defects observed in preterm children are local
ized enamel hypoplasia, crown dilacerations, and palatal distortions w
hich are usually associated with traumatic laryngoscopy and prolonged
endotracheal intubation. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated
that the rate of dental development, and dental eruption may be affec
ted by preterm birth. Children with the lowest birthweight and shortes
t gestational ages have the lowest rates of dental development, partic
ularly before six years of age. The results of these clinical studies
may have significant implications in the dental management of preterm
children.