With the rapid expansion of dental education in India, scholarly publishing has become essential for faculty development. This paper explores the significant benefits of research dissemination for dental academicians. The primary advantages include facilitating career advancement and meeting the promotion criteria. Furthermore, the research process enhances critical thinking and clinical skills, thereby improving the quality of education delivery. Faculty publications also contribute to institutional prestige, accreditation and funding opportunities. Finally, publishing cultivates essential professional networking skills. Collectively, these activities strengthen individual competencies and elevate Indian dental institutions to align with global standards of oral health education.

Background: In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis strains with acquired antimicrobial resistance in the oral environment, a phenomenon associated with horizontal gene transfer. The oral cavity can act as a reservoir and a critical point for the persistence and transmission of multidrug-resistant microorganisms, posing a challenge to public health. Aim: To identify genes associated with acquired antimicrobial resistance and determine their prevalence against selected antibiotics as epidemiological surveillance markers in Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from patients who attended endodontic consultations. Methods: Microbiological identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling were evaluated using the Dade/MicroScan Pos ID PC34 system (West Sacramento, CA, USA), in accordance with CLSI standards. PCR using specific primers allowed the detection of acquired resistance genes for epidemiologically relevant antibiotic markers in the oral flora, including erythromycin (ERY), high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR), high-level streptomycin resistance (HLSR), tetracycline (TET), and vancomycin (VAN). Results: 35.3% of Enterococcus faecalis isolates showed acquired resistance, with particular emphasis on resistance to GEN (11.8%), HLSR (14.7%), TET (5.9%) and ERY (2.9%). VAN resistance was absent. The genes mainly associated with this resistance were ermB, tetM and aac(6')-Ie-aph(2")-Ia. Conclusion: The presence of acquired resistance genes in E. faecalis from endodontic infections was evident, signalling the oral cavity as an antimicrobial reservoir. These findings underscore the need for microbiological surveillance in dentistry.

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, is rapidly transforming dental diagnostics from automated interpretation of radiographs to remote screening using intraoral photos. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses report high accuracy for AI models in tasks such as caries detection and radiographic interpretation, and new clinical deployments are appearing. However, important challenges remain: dataset bias and poor socio-demographic reporting, explainability, data privacy and regulatory gaps, integration into clinical workflows, and real-world validation. This review synthesizes current applications, core enabling technologies, clinical benefits, major challenges, and realistic future directions to guide researchers, clinicians, developers, and regulators toward safe, effective, and equitable AI-enabled dental care.

Introduction: In restorative dentistry, hybrid ceramic inlays and onlays have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional all-ceramic restorations, especially in cases requiring a minimally invasive approach and optimal biomechanical compatibility with natural dentition. Nevertheless, their relatively recent introduction warrants further investigation regarding long-term clinical performance, bondingdurability, and wear behavior compared to established ceramic materials. Case report: A 38-year-old female patient presented for the restoration of an extensive carious lesion on the lower right second molar (tooth 46). Thepreoperative radiograph revealed that the tooth was endodontically treated. After clinical and radiographic examination, an indirect restoration using a hybrid ceramic inlay- onlay was planned to maximize the conservation of healthy tooth structure while ensuring adequatemasticatory strength. Discussion: Hybrid ceramics, combining the mechanical strength of ceramics with the flexibility of composites, present attractive properties for restoring posterior teeth by providing durability, aesthetics, and preservation of tooth structure. This unique combination makes them particularly suitable for the restoration of decayed teeth, especially in cases where tooth structure conservation and durability are priorities.

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Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, both of which are essential for efficient orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). This study aims to explore the effects of Vitamin D deficiency on the rate and biological mechanisms of OTM. Evidence from animal models and clinical observations suggests that insufficient Vitamin D levels can impair bone remodeling by reducing osteoblastic activity and altering osteoclastic function. As a result, tooth movement may become slower and less predictable in Vitamin D-deficient individuals. Additionally, such deficiency may increase the risk of root resorption and prolonged treatment duration. Understanding the influence of Vitamin D status on OTM could aid in optimizing orthodontic treatment plans and outcomes. Further clinical studies are needed to establish clear guidelines regarding Vitamin D assessment and supplementation in orthodontic patients.

Residual ridge resorption (RRR) is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible process characterized by the gradual loss of alveolar bone beneath the mucoperiosteum following the extraction of natural teeth. It is a multifactorial phenomenon influenced by anatomical, biomechanical, metabolic, and systemic factors. Among the two arches, the mandibular ridge typically undergoes more rapid and severe resorption than the maxillary counterpart, leading to a compromised denture-bearing foundation over time. This pronounced mandibular atrophy significantly impairs the stability, support, and retention of complete dentures, often resulting in functional limitations and reduced patient satisfaction. In prosthodontic practice, the rehabilitation of patients with severely resorbed mandibular ridges remains a formidable clinical challenge. The decreased surface area, altered ridge morphology, and loss of vertical height collectively contribute to poor denture base adaptation, reduced stability, and increased mucosal mobility. These issues are particularly pronounced in advanced stages of resorption as categorized by Atwood’s classification, where Order V denotes a low, well-rounded ridge and Order VI reflects a flat or depressed ridge form with minimal or no residual alveolar height. Such conditions severely compromise the effectiveness of conventional denture fabrication techniques and require careful modifications in clinical protocols. Among the many factors contributing to the long-term success of complete dentures, the stability of the mandibular denture often serves as a critical determinant. Lack of stability can trigger a cascade of issues such as soreness, ulcerations, masticatory inefficiency, and patient dissatisfaction. Additionally, poorly adapted dentures may exert uneven or excessive pressure on the underlying tissues, thereby accelerating the resorptive process. This clinical case report presents the prosthodontic management of a patient with a highly atrophic mandibular ridge (Atwood’s Order V) using a novel “cocktail impression technique.” Recognizing the limitations of a single impression philosophy, this hybrid approach integrates mucostatic, selective pressure, and functional techniques to enhance tissue adaptation, minimize displacement, and evenly distribute occlusal forces. The strategy is tailored to the patient's unique anatomy, promoting denture stability,