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Midline diastema and frenum morphology in the primary dentition
Maria E Díaz-Pizán1, Manuel O Lagravère, Rita Villena
1Department of Children and Adolescent, Dentistry Faculty, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru. mariaediazp@terra.com.pe
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of different types and insertions of labial frenums as well as midline diastema in Peruvian children between 0 and 6 years of age.
Methods:
A sample of 1,355 children was selected for the study. A clinical examination was done to classify the labial frenum, measure gingival insertion levels, and quantify midline diastema. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman test were used.
Results:
The most prevalent frenums were the simple frenum (59%) and the persistent tectolabial frenum (25%). The level of gingival insertion moved apically with age. The midline diastema was wider in younger children and decreased with age. A significant inverse relationship (r=-0.27; P=.001) was found between the level of gingival insertion and the midline diastema.
Conclusion:
The most prevalent frenum was the simple frenum. A significant inverse correlation between the gingival insertion level and the midline diastema was found.
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