Maxillary labial frenum attachment in children

Abstract

Background: The distribution of the attachment of the maxillary labial frenum in the children of different ethnic backgrounds has not been studied extensively.

Aim: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the prevalence of the various types of maxillary labial frenum attachment in the children of different ethnic backgrounds.

Design: Children (aged 1-18) attending a public health clinic in Lavrion, Greece, were clinically examined for maxillary frenum attachment location. Demographic information was recorded. Parents provided written informed consent.

Results: The examined children were 226, with mean (± standard deviation) age of 8.5 ± 3.0 years. They were of Greek (51%), Albanian (20%), Turkish (12%), and Afghan (11%) descent. The prevalence of the maxillary labial frenum attachment was mucosal (10.2%), gingival (41.6%), papillary (22.1%), and papillary penetrating (26.1%). Frenum attachment differed significantly by age (P = 0.001). The age of children with mucosal- or gingival-type frenum was significantly greater than the age of children with papillary penetrating-type frenum. Frenum attachment did not differ by gender or ethnic background (P ≥ 0.20).

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that, in children, ethnic background and gender are not associated with maxillary labial frenum attachment type, whereas age is strongly associated.