Abstract

DEVIDES, Sueli Lobo; NATALICIO, Gabriela Letícia; GOMIDE, Márcia Ribeiro  and  ZINGRA, Ana Cristina de Godoi. Abnormal Lateral Frenulum Treatment in the Pierre Robin Syndrome: Case Report. Rev. Assoc. Paul. Cir. Dent. [online]. 2013, vol.67, n.2, pp. 112-115. ISSN 0004-5276.

Despite the polemic about the need of a minimum quantity of attached gingiva around natural teeth, many authors agree that at least 2mm of this tissue is essential to achieve periodontal health. The attached gingiva increases the periodontal resistance to external damage, contributes to the stabilization of the gingival margin, and helps in the physiologic strength dissipation. The free gingival autograft is the most predictable method to gain attached gingiva. Another factor that leads to periodontal health is the elimination of muscle attachments, like frenulum, when they are considered abnormal or pathological. A case report of an abnormal and pathologic frenulum is described in a 13-year-old patient with post foramen cleft and Pierre-Robin Syndrome removed by using frenulectomy, free gingival autograft and deepening of the vestibular trough (vestibuloplasty). The case was solved. The frenulum was eliminated and a great amount of attached gingiva was obtained. There has been no recurrence of the frenulum and no attached gingiva has been lost in 1 year of follow-up. From this case it may be concluded that simple techniques of basic periodontology (like free gingival graft and frenulectomy) may be used with success in order to solve complex cases.

Keywords : Periodontics; Cleft Lip; Pierre Robin Syndrome.