Age-dependent trends in pediatric maxillary frenum classification

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• The maxillary frenum's morphology can impact oral function and aesthetics.
• The Kotlow classification system categorizes maxillary frenum length and attachment.
• Understanding typical frenum development in children is crucial for clinical assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize maxillary frenum Kotlow scores in a pediatric cohort.
• To investigate the relationship between age, Kotlow scores, and maxillary frenotomy history.
• To provide data for otolaryngologists regarding maxillary frenotomy in children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 570 children (ages 0-19) at a pediatric otolaryngology clinic.
• Inclusion criteria: recorded maxillary frenum Kotlow score.
• Data collected: age, gender, race/ethnicity, Kotlow score, and prior maxillary frenotomy.

Main Results:

• 47.8% of children had a Kotlow 3 maxillary frenum; scores decreased with age.
• Maxillary frenum Kotlow scores were lower at younger ages for both prior frenotomy and no-frenotomy groups.
• No significant association was found between maxillary frenotomy history and lower Kotlow scores.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of children present with a Kotlow 3 maxillary frenum.
• Maxillary frenum Kotlow scores decrease with age, correlating with alveolar ridge development.
• These findings offer valuable insights for otolaryngologists considering maxillary frenotomy.