WHAT IS A FRENUM:
Frenum is a fold of tissue/muscle connecting the lip, cheek, or tongue to jaw bone. The primary function of frenum is to provide stability to upper lip & lower lip & tongue.
It maybe a genetic condition or can be the result of recession of the gingival margins, reaching the area of the frenum.
WHAT IS FRENECTOMY:
It is the complete removal of frenum, including its attachments to underlying bone.
TYPES OF FRENAL ATTACHMENT:
1. MUCOSAL : The frenal fibres are attached up to the mucogingival junction .
2. GINGIVAL : The fibres are inserted within the attached gingiva.
3. PAPILLARY: The fibres extends into the interdental papilla.
4. PAPILLA PENETRATING: The frenal fibres cross the alveolar process & extends up to palatine papilla.
WHEN TO DO FRENECTOMY:
1. LIP TIE.
2. TONGUE TIE.
3. MIDLINE DIASTEMA.
4. GUM RECESSION.
5. PAIN.
HOW TO DETECT FRENECTOMY:
By applying tension on the frenal attachment & observing the movement of papillary tip or blanching around the alveolar attachment of the frenum due to ischemia.
MANAGEMENT:
1. Surgical excision of frenum.
2. Laser frenectomy.