Evaluation of the Relationship Between Maxillary Labial Frenulum Attachment Types, Periodontal Health, and Dental Caries in Preschool Children

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate any possible relation between maxillary labial frenulum attachment type on periodontal status and dental caries in pre14school children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for six months among the children who were admitted for treatment at a university clinic. The children aged between 3 to 6 years were enrolled in the study. The types of maxillary labial frenulum attachment were recorded as mucosal, gingival, papillary, and papillary penetrating types. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and dental status (dmft) of maxillary primary incisors were evaluated. Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson’s chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results: A total of 214 children (mean age was 4.4±0.9 years) were evaluated. The most common maxillary frenulum attachment type was the gingival type (45.8%), while the papillary penetrating type (13.1%) was the least common. The PI and GI scores in children with mucosal type frenulum were lower than in children with the gingival, papillary, and papillary penetrating types (p<0.01). The dmft scores were lower in children with mucosal type frenulum and higher in children with papillary type frenulum (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Papillary and papillary penetrating types of frenulum attachments were associated with a decline in periodontal health and higher caries incidence in maxillary primary incisors.