Maxillary Labial Frenum in Preschool Children: Variations, Anomalies and Associated Factors

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of morphological and attachment variations of the maxillary labial frenum (MLF) and associated factors in preschool children. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,313 children aged between zero and five years of age attending public nurseries in the city of Canoas in southern Brazil. Data were collected through a questionnaire addressing demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral characteristics and a clinical examination of the MLF. Assessments of MLF morphology and attachment were based on the classification systems proposed by Sewerin and Mirko et al., respectively. Results: The most prevalent patterns were simple MLF (63.8%) and gingival attachment (51.1%). Morphological abnormalities were found in 21.6% of the preschoolers and 25.4% exhibited abnormal frenal attachment. Abnormalities in MLF morphology were more prevalent among girls (p = 0.003) and a significant reduction was found with the increase in age (p < 0.001). Attachment abnormalities were significantly more prevalent among girls (p < 0.001), the white ethnic group (p = 0.005), and children who used a pacifier (p = 0.007) and also reduced significantly with the increase in age (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Demographic and behavioral characteristics were associated with MLF morphology and attachment. The reduction in the prevalence of the outcomes with the increase in age suggests that surgical interventions in the first years of life may constitute overtreatment.

Laser Surgical Approach of Upper Labial Frenulum: A Systematic Review

“…Different classifications for ULF have been proposed by authors, based on the place of implantation and site of insertion. Placek in 1974 classified the different forms of frenulum according to the place of implantation, distinguishing (a) mucosal attachment frenulum when the frenulum is inserted into mucosa; (b) gingival attachment frenulum, when it is inserted into adherent gingiva; (c) papillary-attached frenulum, when it inserts into the palatine papilla; and (d) penetrating papillary attachment frenulum, when the frenulum fibers pass through the interincisive papilla and insert into palatine adherent gingival [5,6].…”

Surgical Wound Repair with Innovative Hemostatic Glue: Clinical Case Report

“…Previous studies classified the frenulum into two main morphotypes-thick frenulum and thin frenulum-and about the insertion site: high (alveolar mucosa), middle (adherent gingiva), and low (marginal gingiva) [19,20]. More than 80% of patients who have diastema at nine years of age cease to have it at sixteen, without any therapy [21].…”