BACKGROUND: The maxillary labial frenum (MLF) is a soft tissue fold connecting the upper lip to the alveolar process. Abnormal attachment can cause periodontal, functional, and esthetic problems. Differential diagnosis is important and can prevent unnecessary interventions. This study aims to summarize the current evidence on the assessment and management of abnormal MLF.
METHODS: A thorough review of the literature was conducted. Five online databases were searched for relevant peer-reviewed human studies. Article screening and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Information about article type, study design, participants\' characteristics, interventions, and outcomes was extracted and synthesized.
RESULTS: 52 articles met the review criteria. MLF is a dynamic structure characterized by a wide normal morphological variation. MLF assessment in infants has not been standardized. Studies in pre-adolescents reported a change in the thickness and position of the MLF observed over time, resulting in a lower prevalence of abnormal MLF morphology. Studies in adolescents and adults reported variable differential diagnosis criteria. Lasers appear as the most advantageous frenectomy modality.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for more objective MLF diagnostic protocols and treatment guidelines, which could prevent unnecessary surgical interventions.

Midline diastemas are one of the most prevalent dental malocclusions. In young adults this may create aesthetics problems, especially in individuals marked by a gap between central incisors higher than 4 mm. This case report demonstrates the treatment of a patient with Angle\'s Class I malocclusion and midline diastema with the M-spring appliance resulting in complete closure within four months. The case included a frenectomy for correction of the abnormal labial frenal attachment followed by an M-spring orthodontic appliance. This \"M\" shaped device, with specific activation points, provides control over tooth movement and consequently achieves this site closure in a short duration of time by tipping the crowns of central incisors in a mesial direction. This procedure aimed to resolve aesthetic issues while also enhancing and ensuring functional occlusion.

Various oral complications such as gingival recession, restricted lip movement and tooth malalignment are the result of an abnormal frenum. Management of these types of frenum is either frenectomy or frenotomy. Methods for performing frenectomies include the conventional scalpel technique, Z-plasty, Miller\'s technique, V-Y plasty, lasers, and electrocautery. This case report details the successful management of an abnormal frenum attachment using electrocautery to ease and reduce discomfort to the 19-year-old female patient, causing aesthetic concerns. For its precision, minimal bleeding and post-operative discomfort, electrocautery was chosen. This procedure was performed under local anaesthesia. There were favourable post-operative outcomes as the patient experienced minimal pain and rapid recovery from the surgical site. Significant improvement in gingival health was seen in the follow-up examination. This case demonstrates the efficacy of using electrocautery in managing abnormal frenum attachment while highlighting its benefits over traditional surgical methods for ease and reduced discomfort.

Frenum morphology is of pivotal concern while treating patients who desire improved aesthetics and for treating patients with midline diastemas, as it may lead to failure or relapse of orthodontic treatment. Frenum, a thick band of muscle fiber, may present with abnormalities in the shape, size, form, number, and thickness, which may cause gingival recession along with poor oral health. Frenectomy is adopted as the plan of action while treating abnormal frenum cases by resecting the frenum attachment to provide closure of the spacing between the upper anterior teeth, as in the case of midline diastema. Various forms and techniques of frenectomy have been adopted according to the type of frenum attachment and aesthetic concerns of the patients. Amidst the various treatment options available, conventional frenectomy using a scalpel has emerged as a viable solution for treating patients. The surgeons value and praise its exceptional precision and ease of use, and the patients prefer it for its affordability; hence, a functional and aesthetic outcome is achieved via this treatment. This report provides a comprehensive overview of a case of conventional frenectomy with a one-week follow-up.

Maxillary labial frenectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at addressing midline diastema, where a strip of tissue creating a gap between two upper front teeth is removed. Typically, this strip extends from the vestibule of the gingivobuccal sulcus to the attached gingiva. The procedure is often performed using a diode laser, offering benefits including simplicity and safety for the patients. It can remarkably improve overall aesthetics and decrease the chances of gingival recession. This case report highlights the successful management of a female patient who arrived complaining of double frenum attachment leading to poor musculature support due to which she experiences poor aesthetics and hampered oral hygiene maintenance.

Median diastema is a physiological occurrence that is frequently seen in the maxillary jaw. Therefore, a median diastema has been associated with a wide range of etiological variables, including thumb sucking, supernumerary teeth, tongue thrusting, some dentoalveolar discrepancy, and hypodontia. Patient esthetic and function demands are both negated by the labial frenum\'s abnormal location in relation to the maxillary anterior teeth, which results in diastema and gingival recession. Lasers are now being used in several fields of dentistry as an alternative to conventional scalpel operations. Frenectomy can be done through the use of electrosurgery, laser surgery, or the classic scalpel technique. This pathological frenum can be very well excised with a diode laser. Due to its applicability, sufficient coagulation, lack of suture requirements, and reduced discomfort and inflammation, the diode laser can be utilized in pediatric dentistry. High-connected midline diastema has remained a subject of debate when it comes to management and the right time to intervene and treat it. Both orthodontists and pediatric dentists agree that frenectomy should not be done after the closure of the orthodontist gap or before the appearance of the permanent canine teeth. However, several conditions, including the child\'s psychological status, parents\' concerns, the closure\'s unpredictable effects on the future, and the expense of combined therapies, may lead to an early intervention for therapy during the primary or mixed dentition. In this specific scenario, a child who was eight years old underwent a diode laser frenectomy. After seven days, a follow-up examination showed normal position and attachment of the frenum and no signs of infection at the site of surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the intra and postoperative complications of frenectomy procedure with a surgical scalpel versus 445 nm and 980 nm diode lasers.
METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 174 patients requiring maxillary labial frenectomy. After completion of fixed orthodontic treatment and primary closure of maxillary diastema, the patients were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 58): group 1 (frenectomy via 445 nm diode laser, continuous-wave, 1.5 W), group 2 (frenectomy via 980 nm laser, continuous-wave, 1.7 W), and control group (V-Y plasty technique via scalpel). Intra-operative bleeding, discomfort in chewing and speaking, pain, and tissue healing were compared among the groups immediately, at 7 and 30 days postoperatively using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests.
RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 (immediately and day 7, P < 0.05). Significant faster tissue healing at days 7 and 30 were observed in group 1 compared to group 2 (P < 0.05). Group 1 was superior to the control group regarding lower intraoperative bleeding, discomfort in chewing and speaking (immediately and day 7), lower pain (immediately and day 7), and tissue healing (day 7) (P < 0.05 for all). Group 2 was significantly superior to the control group in lower intraoperative bleeding, discomfort in chewing and speaking (immediately and day 7), and better tissue healing (day 7) (P < 0.05 for all).
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, diode laser frenectomy resulted in significantly lower intra and postoperative complications compared to the scalpel. Moreover, 445 nm diode laser showed significantly superior effects compared to 980 nm diode laser.
BACKGROUND: The study protocol was registered on 29.10.2022 at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( www.irct.ir ) (registration number: IRCT20220630055326N1).

The frenum, a fold of mucous membrane, connects the lip and cheek to the alveolar mucosa, gingiva, and underlying periosteum. When the frenum is positioned excessively near the gingival margin, it has the potential to compromise gingival health, impeding plaque control efforts and inducing muscular stress. A frenectomy is a commonly employed corrective measure for anomalous frenum attachments. In a recent clinical case, a 21-year-old female patient was referred from the Department of Orthodontics to the Department of Periodontics due to a papillary-type aberrant labial frenum attachment and excessive gingival tissue surrounding the upper right and left central incisors. The patient underwent a frenectomy, gingivectomy, and gingivoplasty procedures under local anesthesia to address the abnormal frenum attachment and gingival overgrowth using a scalpel. This approach has been demonstrated to yield optimal outcomes in orthodontic therapy for patients exhibiting elevated frenum attachment and gingival overgrowth. Following the achievement of hemostasis, a periodontal pack was applied to facilitate healing and preserve the soft tissue.

Frenum aberrations in the maxillary and mandibular regions are pivotal concerns, particularly regarding midline diastema and gingival health. The frenum is composed predominantly of collagenous and elastic fibers. There are various frenal attachment anomalies that may result in gingival recession. Amidst treatment options, conventional scalpel frenectomy emerges as a viable solution, showcasing its efficacy in addressing deviant frena. Ultimately, our findings underscore the imperative for personalized interventions to alleviate aesthetic apprehensions and uphold periodontal integrity in adult populations.

A lingual frenectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at addressing \"tongue-tie\" or ankyloglossia, where a strip of tissue restricting tongue movement is removed. Typically, this strip extends from the bottom of the mouth to the underside of the tongue. The procedure, often performed using a diode laser, offers several advantages including simplicity and safety for patients. It can significantly improve speech articulation and eating for individuals with ankyloglossia. This case report highlights the successful treatment of a female patient experiencing speech difficulties with diode laser therapy for tongue-tie.