Evaluation of variations in morphology and attachment of frenum in diverse population - A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Frenal attachments are thin folds of mucous membrane with enclosed muscle fibers that attach the lips to the alveolar mucosa and underlying periosteum. It also has septomaxillary ligament that transmits septal growth force to premaxilla. Most often, during the oral examination of the patient the dentist gives very little importance to the frenum, for assessing its morpholology and attachment. However, it has been seen that an abnormal frenum can be an indicator of a syndrome or can cause severe mucogingival problems and prevalence of unaesthetic diastema. Objective So, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the variations in morphology and attachment of Frenum in diverse population. Materials and methods The present cross-sectional study enrolled 400 patients comprising both males and females within the age group of 20–40 years. The frenal attachment was recorded according to the classification by Mirko et al. (1974) and Sewerin (1971). The data was arranged in a tabulated form and analyzed using SPSS software. Chi square test was used for the analysis of the data. Results Around 61.3%, 30.3%,26.7% of the population in age group 20–30 showed gingival, papillary, papilla penetrating type of frenal attachment respectively. Presence of diastema was seen in 63.6% of female population and 36.4% in male population. Conclusion It can be concluded that the type of frenal attachment varies with the ethnicity of the population and that diastema is more prevalent amongst females with papilla penetrating type of frenal attachment.