ASSESSMENT OF LABIAL FRENAL ATTACHMENT AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ORAL HYGIENE STATUS

Abstract

Background: Maxillary labial frenum is a mucous membrane fold which shows variation in morphology, position. This anatomic structure presents with variety of orofacial problems leading to diastema, phonetic, periodontal, and orthodontic issues thus affecting growth and development. Hence it is mandatory to examine the frenal attachment during oral examination. With this the study was aimed to assess the prevalence of the various types of maxillary labial frenum attachment among the patients and its association with oral hygiene status.

Methods: A total of 260 patients aged from 18 to 35years were clinically examined to evaluate the type of frenal attachment using Placek’s classification. Oral hygiene index (simplified) was recorded and data was analyzed statistically. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by using SPSS version 23.0 with descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Most of the individuals 136 (52.3%) had gingival type of frenum followed by mucosal 92 (35.38%), papillary 21 (8.07%), and least with papillary penetrating 11(4.23%). There was statistically significance between frenum attachment and gender. The relationship of frenal attachment with oral hygiene status was found to be significant.

Conclusions: In terms of maxillary labial frenum attachment type, gingival frenal type was the most predominant types among the study sample with a low incidence of papillary penetrating frenal attachment. The study showed strong association between type of frenal attachment and oral hygiene status.