Acupressure (acupuncture + pressure) is an alternative medicine technique derived from acupuncture. Here, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the elbow, hand, or with various devices. There are literally thousands of acupressure points on the body. Many of the problems encountered in dental clinics can be curbed using these pressure techniques very easily and it is not an invasive process like acupuncture. The article provides a review of pressure techniques and its use (focusing on gaging, dental anxiety, and temporomandibular joint pain) in orthodontic as well as any other dental setup.

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A 10-year-old female presented with a skeletal Class II relation with 7 mm of overjet, 40% overbite, and bilateral posterior lingual crossbite. Two-phase therapy was planned to correct Class II skeletal relation, overjet, overbite, and to achieve lip competency. Phase I therapy was done with twin-block appliance to advance the retrognathic mandible. Phase II therapy was accomplished with fixed appliance for arch coordination to correct minor displacement and to finalize occlusion. Posttreatment, skeletal Class I relation was achieved. Incisors' inclination was improved, and ideal overjet and overbite with bilateral class I molar relationship was achieved. As the mandible advanced, lip competency, facial convexity, and mentolabial sulcus improved.

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Objectives: To study the gingival biotype and its relation to maxillary and mandibular incisor inclination and its relation to dentopapillary complex. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 consecutive patients seeking orthodontic treatment at JSS Dental College, Mysore. Gingival biotype was assessed for maxillary and mandibular incisors using a digital vernier caliper. Maxillary and mandibular incisors' inclination and position were measured using cephalometric analysis. Parameters of dentopapillary complex were recorded from the dental casts. Results: The prevalence of thin gingival biotype was 42.66% for maxillary and 39.33% for mandibular incisors. A significant association was found between mandibular incisor inclination and thin gingival biotype, whereas there was no association between maxillary incisor inclination and gingival biotype. There was a significant correlation between gingival biotype and crown length, area of papilla, area of crown, and papilla length with P = 0.001 each. Conclusion: Mandibular incisor proclination is associated with thin gingival biotype, whereas no association is found in the maxilla. The correlation between gingival biotypes and dentopapillary complex is confirmed in this study. Evaluation of gingival biotype is of paramount importance during treatment planning for orthodontic patients.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) for assessment of orthodontic treatment need. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 subjects of aged between 18 and 25 years with no history of orthodontic treatment were selected by the convenience sampling method from the nondental student population of institutions belonging to North Indian population. The expressed demand for orthodontic treatment by the subjects was assessed using questionnaire. The self-perception of the subjects about orthodontic treatment need was done using aesthetic component (AC) of IOTN. The need for orthodontic treatment was evaluated by the investigator using AC and dental health component (DHC) of IOTN and by a panel of orthodontists using subjective assessment of the patient's study models. Results: Orthodontic treatment need to be determined by the investigator using DHC of IOTN moderately correlated with the demand of orthodontic treatment by the subjects as assessed using subjects response to questionnaires (ρ = 0.627) and orthodontic treatment need to be determined by the opinion of the panel of orthodontists (ρ = 0.598). Conclusion: DHC of IOTN was found to be reliable for evaluating orthodontic treatment need.

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Introduction: Psychological stress is associated with many professions including dental surgery and is commonly encountered among BDS students, which later increases during post graduation (MDS). In this study we intended to identify the perceived sources and the extent of the psychological stress in the Orthodontic post-graduate students, and also evaluate the influence of different variables on overall stress and the effect of various stress relievers among the PG students. Material and Method: A questionnaire type of survey was conducted among 80 Orthodontic post graduate students (39 male and 41 female). A total of 22 factors were shortlisted for the questionnaire and were grouped under three broad categories as Personal, Curriculum Factors and Clinical Factors which were scored on a four point scale as 0- Not applicable, 1- Mild stress, 2–Moderate stress, 3–Severe stress. Result: The result showed that the majority of the PGs were definitely stressed, with females being more stressed than males, though the difference between two genders was statistically non-significant for most of the perceived sources of stress except for home sickness . In overall stress scores for different variables, the difference was statistically non-significant in all of them. Among the stress busters use of social media, alcohol and smoking were significantly associated with some of the student characteristics. Conclusion: The stress levels in PG curriculum definitely exist and the students should adopt proper stress busters to relieve the stress so as to work efficiently during their course.

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Tongue-thrusting is one of the most common habits seen in orthodontics. Complete elimination of the habit to prevent relapse is one of the challenges. Correction of tongue-thrusting habit is quite difficult, more so if the habit is ingrained. Here, we are introducing a retainer made of fiber glass with spikes for tongue-thrusting habit control incorporated in it.

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