AIM: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of endodontic treatment in human primary teeth with necrotic pulp with and without radiographically visible furcal/periapical lesion treated with a calcium hydroxide (CH) and chlorhexidine (CHX) intracanal dressing. The tested hypothesis was that there is no difference in the clinical and radiographic success in primary teeth medicated with CH pastes prepared with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or CHX. METHODS: Thirty-two teeth with necrotic pulp were used in this randomized clinical study: 12 without and 20 with lesion. Canals were prepared and medicated with CH pastes with polyethylene glycol (CH/PEG) (n=16) or 2% CHX gel (CH/CHX) (n=16). Definitive filling was done after 30 days. The teeth were clinically and radiographically examined during 12 months to determine the success of the endodontic therapy. Data from clinical and radiographic examination of the initial condition and 12 months after treatment were compared using the Z test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the success rate of teeth with and without lesion medicated with CH/PEG or CH/CHX. No significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the pastes regardless of the presence of lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of CHX and CH was not more effective than the CH/PEG paste, as similar clinical and radiographic success rate was observed in teeth medicated with either type of intracanal dressing.

OBJETIVO: Apresentar revisão de literatura sobre dentes natais e neonatais, abordando características clínicas, fatores etiológicos, medidas terapêuticas e a importância do conhecimento desta anomalia, por odontopediatras e pediatras. FONTES DE DADOS: Foram selecionados os artigos mais relevantes sobre o tema, desde 1950 até 2006, pesquisados no Medline e na Bibliografia Brasileira em Odontologia (BBO), além de livros de pertinentes. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Os dentes natais e neonatais consistem em uma anomalia de erupção, sendo caracterizados por seu irrompimento na cavidade oral durante o período intra-uterino ou no primeiro mês de vida respectivamente, podendo fazer parte da dentição decídua normal ou supranumerária. Esses dentes, em geral, apresentam bordos cortantes e podem estar relacionados ao aparecimento de ulcerações na base da língua do bebê e/ou no seio materno, comprometendo a amamentação. A fraca implantação óssea desses dentes favorece sua grande mobilidade, tornando-se, assim, um fator de risco à sua aspiração ou deglutição pela criança. A abordagem terapêutica depende da dentição à qual pertence o dente e dos possíveis problemas que este pode causar à saúde da criança ou da mãe. CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento sobre as características clínicas e os possíveis distúrbios aos quais os dentes natais e neonatais estão relacionados por odontopediatras e pediatras possibilita a interação necessária para o diagnóstico precoce e a abordagem integral da criança.

OBJECTIVE: To review available data about natal and neonatal teeth, emphasizing clinical characteristics, etiological factors, treatment, and the importance of the knowledge about this anomaly by pediatric dentists and pediatricians. DATA SOURCES: The most relevant articles published on the subject were selected, from 1950 to 2006, browsed on Medline, Brazilian Bibliografy of Odontology (BBO) and Dentistry books. DATA SYNTHESIS: Natal and neonatal teeth are considered eruption anomalies, characterized by eruption into oral cavity during the intrauterine period or during the first month after birth, respectively, being part of the regular deciduous or the supernumerary dentitions. As these teeth usually present cutting edges, they can be related to traumatic injury to newborn’s tongue and/or to mother’s nipples, compromising breastfeeding. In general, the weak attachment of these teeth to alveolar bone favors a high degree of mobility, which exposes the infant to the risk of aspiration or swallowing them. The management depends on which dentition these teeth belong and/or on complications that may affect either infant’s or mother’s health. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge about the clinical characteristics and the possible complications related to natal and neonatal teeth by pediatric dentists and pediatricians provides the necessary interaction to early diagnosis and infant general management.