“COMPARATIVE RESULTS OF CONVENTIONAL SCALPEL AND DIODE LASER FRENECTOMY TECHNIQUES IN THE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF ABERRANT LABIAL FRENUM”

Dr. Aparna Suraj N.*, Dr. Suchetha Aghanashini, Dr. Sapna Nadiger, Dr. Darshan B. Mundinamane, Dr. Apoorva Sokke Mallikarjunappa and Dr. Divya Bhat

ABSTRACT

An aberrant maxillary labial frenum is capable of creating diastema, gingival recession, poor denture retention and also affects aesthetics.[1,2,3] It further encroaches the gingival health when it is closely attached to the gingival margin. Such conditions have to be treated by frenectomy, which is the complete removal of frenum.[4] While performing frenectomy, conventional scalpel techniques have their own traditional drawbacks. To overcome them, we have novel techniques like electrocautery and lasers, which are increasingly being used in routine periodontal practice.[5] This case report describes two cases, one of which was treated by the conventional scalpel technique and the other by diode laser technique. Reduced haemorrhage, pain and discomfort during speech and chewing were observed following laser therapy, compared to the conventional therapy.[6] Thus, the use of soft tissue diode laser could be an alternative to conventional scalpel technique for maxillary labial frenectomy as it causes less pain, less bleeding, provide better patient perception and improves healing of tissues.[7,4]

Keywords: frenum, frenectomy, scalpel technique, diode laser.