OBJECTIVE: To review the literature review concerning oral abnormalities in preterm and low birth-weight infants. DATA SOURCES: Articles published in English and Portuguese on this subject were selected from 1976 to 2009, browsed on PubMed, Lilacs and Brazilian Dentistry Bibliography, besides books and national and international consensus. The search used the following key-words: "preterm infant", "low birth-weight infant", "dental caries", "dental enamel hypoplasia", "oral manifestations" and "primary dentition". Original articles related to incidence, prevalence and etiology of the oral manifestations, literature reviews and case reports were selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: The most common oral abnormalities in preterm and low birth-weight infants are dental enamel defects, such as hypoplasias and hypocalcifications, predisposition to dental caries, alterations in the chronology of tooth eruption and palate problems with consequent development of malocclusion. Other abnormalities are also reported, such as different tooth crown dimensions and dental enamel thickness and porosity. The interaction between pediatricians and pediatric dentists is important for the management of these infants. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of oral abnormalities in preterm and low birth-weight infants by pediatricians and pediatric dentists encourages multidisciplinary action, aiming to educate, prevent and decrease the potential physical and dental changes in those infants.
infant, premature; infant, low birth weight; dental caries; dental enamel hypoplasia; oral manifestations; dentition, primary