Frenula in the oral cavity: An overview of diagnosis, prognosis and clinical management in growing patients

This study described the clinical complications and management of frenula. The frenula of the oral cavity are natural anatomical elements consisting of a triangular fold of mucous membrane, which extends in the sagittal direction from the gingiva in the submucosa of the lip, cheeks and tongue. Histologically, the oral frenula consist of a fibrous tract formed by collagen fibers placed in bands associated with thin perivascular nerve structures. These structures are coated by a stratified squamous epithelium. There are syndromes that cause repercussions in the oral frenula: Ehlerdanlos syndrome, Pallister-Hall syndrome, Opitz syndrome, Oral-facial-digital syndrome, Pediatric hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, Holoprosencephaly; there are also non-syndromic conditions. Clinical examination must include the inspection and palpation integrated by the pull of the lips and the verification of the tongue protrusion capacity. Consequences of the upper and lower lip frenula are described as well as the relative surgical procedures (frenotomy and frenectomy).