Identification of oral cavity abnormalities in pre-term and full-term newborns: a cross-sectional and comparative study.

Purpose: Compare maxillary labial frenum and lingual frenum topography, the ridges relationship and oral inclusion cysts occurrence between pre-term (PT) and full-term newborns (FT).

Methods: This cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted through the evaluation of 74 PT and 100 FT. Data were collected from medical records: mother age, gestational age, gender, height, weight, and delivery type. The variables were verified by Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test, at 5% significance level.

Results: Bohn's nodules and dental lamina cysts were more frequent in FT (P = 0.000). Epstein pearls occurrence was similar between FT and PT (P = 0.243). The lower alveolar ridge in distal position to the upper one was more prevalent in both groups. Abnormal upper labial frenum anatomy had been observed in 10.0% of FT. Upper labial frenum was attached in piriform papilla in 90.5% of PTG, whereas in FT, 61.0% were attached from crest of alveolar ridge to mucogingival line.

Conclusions: PT oral cavity presented some peculiarities when compared with FT: maxillary labial frenum insertion in the Piriform papilla and palatal cysts more prevalent than alveolar cysts.