The frenum is a fold of mucous membrane connecting the lips and cheeks to the gingiva, periosteum, and alveolar mucosa. It often contains muscle fibers. The maxillary labial frenum, mandibular labial frenum, and lingual frenum are the three most often seen frenum that are typically present in the oral cavity. Their main function is to stabilize the tongue, upper lip, and lower lip. The mucogingival junction and alveolar mucosa involved in the frenum are said to be structurally identical to those in any other area. The limited information on frenum per se and its clinical implications has not been adequately dealt with in the literature. Hence, an attempt was made to present them in this review.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different polishing agents on the surface texture and color of feldspathic porcelain material layered on aluminum-based pressable ceramic.
Methodology: Forty-five disc specimens of 10 mm diameter and 0.7 mm thickness were fabricated using pressable ceramic material and were layered with 0.5 mm dentin and 0.5 mm enamel using layering material. Specimens were divided into three groups of 15 each and a rough surface was created on the test area of the specimens using medium grit burs. Group A specimens were subjected to finishing and polishing using Porcelain adjustment kit, Group B using 15 µ yellow band bur, silicon rubber cup impregnated with diamond, silicon carbide impregnated brush and Group C using diamond polish mint 1.0 µm, Bristle brush. Surface roughness analysis was done using a profilometer and scanning electron microscopy, while the color measurements were done using spectrocolorimeter.
Results: The mean surface roughness values in all the groups as determined by One-way ANOVA (F=99.425, P=000) showed significant results. Group A showed the least surface roughness while Group C showed the maximum values. ∆E values were non-significant as determined by One way ANOVA and Post hoc analysis, but Group A demonstrated lowest values when compared to other groups.
Conclusion: Group A (Porcelain adjustment kit) showed better results in terms of surface roughness and colour change compared to other groups.

Ankyloglossia, commonly referred to as tongue-tie, is a condition caused by a short and thick lingual frenulum, leading to restricted tongue movement. This limitation can result in functional complications such as abnormal speech, malocclusion, midline diastema, mandibular lingual gingival recession, and difficulty swallowing. These challenges can significantly impact an individual's daily activities and quality of life. In this report, treatment was followed by post-operative recall and speech therapy sessions, resulting in marked improvement in tongue mobility and speech across all treated cases. Diagnosis was conducted clinically using Kotlow’s classification. The findings highlight that the conventional scalpel-based method of frenectomy is relatively painless, reliable, and effective. Unlike some newer methods, this technique consistently ensures successful outcomes, reaffirming its value in the management of ankyloglossia.

Introduction: The first year dental undergraduate students are in the transition phase between pre-university and university education. Dental students may experience stress during this transition. <br/ > Aim: To assess first year dental undergraduate students’ perspectives on stress, stressors and coping.
Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted during July 2022 with eight first year dental undergraduate students in each group. Participants were selected through purposive sampling from a dental college in Bengaluru, India. Structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. A discussion guide was developed and pilot tested. Focus group discussions were carried out in a class room in the presence of a moderator, recorders and participants. The discussion continued till no further themes emerged. The discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and codes were developed both deductively and inductively. Coding was done and analyzed using QDA Miner Lite Software. <br/ > Results: Stress was perceived to be a common problem. Exams were the main source of stress, followed by comparison with others and syllabus load. Concerns regarding future were felt as a strong stressor. Foremost effects of stress were reported as becoming quiet, experiencing anger and hampered thinking. Music, speaking with parents and friends were the coping methods considered as most effective. Participants suggested incorporation of extracurricular activities in college as a measure to reduce stress.
Conclusion: Stress among first year dental undergraduate students is an important issue. Suitable measures need to be taken to reduce the stress

Objective: Meniere’s Disease (MD) and tinnitus are challenging to diagnose and treat. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Disclusion Reduction Therapy (DTR) on Meniere’s disease patients, testing the null hypothesis that occlusal corrections will not significantly improve tinnitus symptoms.
Methods: Fifty patients with tinnitus, diagnosed by ENT specialists, were referred for dental evaluation. Health histories and clinical examinations were conducted, and patients completed Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-15 questionnaires, repeated at one and three months post-DTR therapy. Disclusion Times (DT), sEMG levels of masseter and temporalis muscles, and symptom scores were recorded before and after the treatment. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Post hoc LSD tests.
Results: DTR treatment led to a reduction in the duration, intensity, and frequency of Meniere’s symptoms vertigo, ear fullness, and tinnitus evidenced by reduced group means (P < 0.00001). Improvements in disclu- sion times and electromyographic (EMG) values post-DTR therapy (P<0.0001) significantly.
Conclusion: Occlusal forces and timing were primary contributors to tinnitus and Meniere’s disease in these patients. Post-DTR therapy, all subjects showed reductions in symptom intensity, frequency, and duration. Prolonged disclusion time may be an overlooked occlusal factor in Meniere’s disease, suggesting that calibrated DTR therapy should be considered as a treatment option for MD.

Implant-retained prostheses are increasingly in demand due to the rising elderly population and the associated increase in edentulousness. Dental implants offer a number of benefits over traditional tooth-borne fixed prostheses. However, patients may choose not to pursue implant-based treatment due to factors such as treatment duration, the requirement for additional surgical procedures, and the requirement for prolonged periods of temporization. In such cases, immediate implants have proven to be a predictable therapeutic option.

Background and Objective: Bounteous studies provide evidence of various parental factors influencing a child’s oral health. Only handful of studies have elucidated the relationship between parenting stress and oral health status of children in the Indian context. Hence the present study was planned to assess parenting stress and its relationship with the oral health status of children aged 6 to 12 years.
Methods: A survey was conducted among 420 parent-child dyads with children aged 6-12 years. A self designed proforma was used for recording the sociodemographic details, with a pre-validated, Kannada version of Parenting stress scale (PSS) to assess the parenting stress, followed by assessment of children’s oral health status. The Chi-square test, Spearman correlation test and binary logistic regression analysis were applied by considering statistical significance at P < 0.05.
Results: Majority of parents reported experiencing moderate levels of parenting stress (91%). When children’s oral health status was assessed, more than half of children showed low caries experience (62.5%), a milder form of gingivitis (96.2%) and good oral hygiene status (57.4%). No statistically significant association was found between parenting stress and the children’s oral health status.
Conclusion: In the present study, the level of parenting stress did not have an impact on the children’s oral health status.

Background: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease primarily resulting from bacterial insult. With the rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there is considerable interest in the development of other classes of antimicrobials for the control of infection. Various plant extracts have been used as antibacterial agents and black pepper extract is one such agent.
Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial potential of black pepper against periodontal pathogens. Methods: The ethanolic extract of black pepper was tested against the standard strains of the selected bacteria [both gram-positive (aerobic) and gram-negative (anaerobic) periodontal pathogens]. The parameters assessed were the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). These tests determined the lowest concentrations of the test agent by evaluating the turbidity for MIC and the presence of few or no bacterial growth colonies for MBC.
Results: The antibacterial activity at various concentrations against selected microorganisms was shown by the ethanolic extract of black pepper. The mean MIC value of black pepper was reported to be sensitive at 25 mg/mL for Porphyromonas gingivalis, sensitive at 6.25 mg/mL for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, sensitive at 12.5 mg/mL for Actinomyces viscosus, and sensitive at 6.25 mg/mL for Streptococcus oralis. Black pepper's ethanolic extract showed bactericidal activity against P. gingivalis at 25 mg/mL concentration. It also showed bacteriostatic activity at all concentrations against A.actinomycetemcomitans, A.viscosus, and S.oralis.
Conclusion: This study provides significant insights into the therapeutic effect of black pepper against periodontal pathogens, suggesting its potential as an alternative therapy.