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Background and aims. Because of increasing concerns about surgeries in the anterior maxilla, including implant placement, it is necessary to examine the morphology of the nasopalatine canal and its surrounding bones. This study aimed to analyze the shape and position of the nasopalatine canal and incisive foramen using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods. CBCT images of 110 patients referred to Hamadan School of Dentistry were examined. The size and shape of the nasopalatine canal and incisive foramen, the distance between the incisive foramen and the anterior nasal spine, and the distance between the anterior border of the nasopalatine canal and the labial surface of the buccal plate were recorded. Results. The nasopalatine canal length decreased and its diameter increased with aging. The canal was found to be longer and wider in men. Patients without incisors had longer and thicker nasopalatine canals. The distance from the nasopalatine canal to the labial surface of the buccal plate was not gender-related but decreased with age. The distance to the labial cortical surface decreased significantly with loss of incisors. Conclusion. Given the diversities in the size and shape of nasopalatine canals, it is highly important to perform CBCT to prevent neurovascular damage.

Introduction: Many patients seeking orthodontic treatment already have incipient enamel lesions and should be placed under preventive treatments. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of CPP-ACP paste and CO2 laser irradiation on demineralized enamel microhardness and shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets. Methods: Eighty caries-free human premolars were subjected to a demineralization challenge using Streptococcus mutans. After demineralization, the samples were randomly divided into five equal experimental groups: Group 1 (control), the brackets were bonded without any surface treatment; Group 2, the enamel surfaces were treated with CPP-ACP paste for 4 minutes before bonding; Group 3, the teeth were irradiated with CO2 laser beams at a wavelength of 10.6 µm for 20 seconds. The samples in Groups 4 and 5 were treated with CO2 laser either before or through CPP-ACP application. SEM photomicrographs of a tooth from each group were taken to observe the enamel surface. The brackets were bonded to the buccal enamel using a conventional method. Shear bond strength of brackets and ARI scores were measured. Vickers microhardness was measured on the non-bonded enamel surface. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey test at the p< 0.05 level. Results: The mean shear bond strength and microhardness of the laser group were higher than those in the control group and this difference was statistically significant (p< 0.05). All groups showed a higher percentage of ARI score 4. Conclusion: CO2 laser at a wavelength of 10.6 µm significantly increased demineralized enamel microhardness and enhanced bonding to demineralized enamel.

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Background: Because alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in patients living with HIV/AIDS are associated with a reduction in therapeutic outcomes and increases the risk of morbidity/mortality, finding an appropriate pharmacotherapy treatment for this disorder is necessary. Objectives: This systematic review contains studies that examine the effects of pharmacological intervention (oral naltrexone (NTX) or injectable extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX)) on the persons living with HIV and AUDs. Methods: A systematic literature search using three electronic databases including Pubmed Medline, Scopus and the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar was conducted and includes articles published from 1995 to 2019. Records were collected by searching relevant keywords and those that meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria are included. Results: Overall, in this systematic review, the results of 7 relevant studies including pilot and randomized controlled/ clinical trials were summarized and reviewed. Among selected records 2 of these assessed the efficacy of NTX and 5 tested the XR-NTX effectiveness in treating AUDs among persons living with HIV (PLH). In summary, with some expectations, NTX and XR-NTX administration in persons living with HIV and AUDs led to reduced alcohol use, improved viral suppression, unchanged ART adherence and has no significant adverse events. Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review suggest the beneficial effects and safety of the NTX and XR-NTX for treating AUDs in PLH. Further studies are needed in the future to focus on the treatment of AUDs in people living with HIV.