Relating Mandibular Incisor to the Lingual Frenum in Dentulous and Edentulous (Complete Denture Wearers) Subjects: An in vitro Study

Aim and Objectives: This study is determined the vertical distance between lingual frenum and incisal edge of mandibular central incisors in dentulous subject and edentulous denture wearer subjects and their variation in different age groups and sex.

Materials and Methods: This study involved 120 dentulous subjects (60 men, 60 women) and 20 complete denture wearers. Depending upon the age, the dentulous subjects were divided into three groups. Each group consisted of 40 subjects (20 men, 20 women). Group I consisted of 20-30 yr age, group II 30-4 0yr age and group III consisted of more than 40 yr age. Mandibular impressions of dentulous and denture wearers were made with irreversible hydrocolloid and cast retrieved. The vertical distance between the anterior attachment of lingual frenum and incisal edges of the mandibular central incisors for both the dentulous and edentulous subjects was measured on the casts with the help of dental surveyor. Data were tabulated and stastically analysed.

Results: Overall (irrespective of gender) normative range for vertical distance between the anterior attachment of the lingual frenum and mesioincisal edge of mandibular central incisor among dentulous subjects is 9.52-10.24 mm. If we consider gender it is 10.00-11.13 mm for male and 8.82-9.58 mm for female.

Conclusion: This study indicated that the distance between the antero-superior most point on the lingual frenum and the mesio-incisal edges of mandibular central incisors can be used as a reliable landmark when the frenum is recorded during function.