*Corresponding author: Preethi A Department of Periodontology, K.S.R. Institute of Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India ISSN: 0976-3031 Research Article A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CONVENTIONAL ANDMI CROSURGICAL FRENECTOMY- A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL * Preethi A, Esther Nalini H, Arun Kumar Prasad P, Renuka Devi, Kokila Priya and Tamilselvi Department of Periodontology, K.S.R. Institute of Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2020.1108.5514 ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Aim& Objective: To compare the clinical and patient related outcomes of conventional and microsurgical frenectomy.Materials and Methods: Eight patients (14-50 years) with aberrant frenal attachment were selected for frenectomy. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups, Group A - Conventional group & Group B - Microsurgical group. Microsurgical approach was performed using magnification loupes (Gallilean 2.5X46 cm) and microsurgical instruments. Results: Postoperatively clinical and patient related outcomes were evaluated using early healing index (7 th day) and visual analog scale (1 st & 7 th day) respectively. Microsurgical group showed a statistically significant difference (P=0.008*) at first day postoperatively when compared to conventional group in terms of visual analog pain scale.Microsurgical group showed a statistically significant difference (P=0.018*) postoperatively when compared to conventional group in terms of early healing index. Conclusion: In frenectomy procedure, microsurgical approach can substantially improve the early healing index and induce less postoperative pain when compared to conventional macroscopic approach. INTRODUCTION Nowadays, aesthetics has gained importance in seeking dental treatment inorder to achieve perfect smile.The frenum is a mucous membrane fold that attaches the lip and the cheek to the alveolar mucosa, the gingiva, and the underlying periosteum. Maxillary labial frenum, the mandibular labial frenum, and the lingual frenum are the different types of frenum present in the oral cavity. [1] Midline diastema between the maxillary central incisors has often been considered as an aesthetic problem in adults. Aberrant frenal attachment is considered as one of the aetiological factors for the development of diastema. [2] Based on the extension of attachment of fibres, frenal attachments are classified as (Placek et al 1974) Mucosal –when the frenal fibres are attached uptomucogingival junction Gingival – when the frenalfibres are inserted within attached gingiva Papillary – when the frenalfibres are extending into interdental papilla Papilla penetrating – when the frenal fibres cross the alveolar process and extend up to palatine papilla. [2] Aberrant frenal attachment if left untreated, could interfere with oral hygiene maintenance which inturn jeopardize the gingival health. The treatment of aberrant frenal attachment involves complete excision of the frenum i.e. frenectomy. In this article we focused on microsurgical frenectomy since it offers several advantages over the conventional procedure which includes increased visual acuity, improved manual dexterity, minimal postoperative pain, passive and primary wound closure. [3] Microsurgery is defined as surgery performed under magnification of 10x or more using a surgical microscope. [4] The three important components of microsurgery are magnification, illumination, and instruments. [5] The main aim of the present study is to compare the clinical and patient related outcomes of conventional and microsurgical frenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of eight subjects between 14-50 years with aberrant frenal attachment were recruited from the outpatients visiting the Department of Periodontics, K.S.R Institute of Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu for frenectomy.Abnormal or aberrant frenum are detected visually by applying tension over it to see the movement of papillary tip Available Online at http://www.recentscientific.com International Journal of Recent Scientific Research International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 11, Issue, 08 (B), pp. 39494-39497, August, 2020 Copyright © Preethi A et al, 2020, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. DOI: 10.24327/IJRSR CODEN: IJRSFP (USA) Key Words: Frenectomy, conventional scalpel, microsurgery, magnification loupes, healing Article History: Received 15 th May, 2020 Received in revised form 7 th June, 2020 Accepted 13 th July, 2020 Published online 28 th August, 2020