Maxillary labial frenum attachment in children.

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.