Relationship of maxillary and mandibular gum pads in the newborn infant

Abstract

A careful study of a group of 709 infants ranging in age from 1 to 11 days, leads to the following: 1. 1. In order to determine accurately the relationship of the gum pads, casts must be made and articulated by means of a bite. 2. 2. The gum pad of the mandible is distal to the maxilla in all cases on an average of 2.7 mm. in the male and 2.5 mm. in the female. 3. 3. The range of variation of this distal relationship is from 0 to 7 mm. 4. 4. There is a limited anteroposterior movement of the mandible but no lateral movement. 5. 5. When the jaws are at rest, the gum pads do not meet. 6. 6. The space between the anterior segments of the gum pads varies in form. 7. 7. With an increased distal relationship of the jaws the dimensions of the mandibular gum pads seem to be affected. The length and anterior width show an increase, while the posterior width shows a decrease. 8. 8. Comparison between spontaneously delivered babies and those delivered instrumentally shows little difference in the dimensions of the gum pads. Babies delivered by elective cesarean section compared with those with face presentation do, however, show appreciable dimensional differences.