title: Nonverbal patient with autism spectrum disorder and obstructive sleep apnea: use of desensitization to acclimatize to a dental appliance.
abstract: Patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may have difficulty tolerating conventional dental treatment due to aberrant sensory responsiveness. The purpose of this report was to describe the successful treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a nonverbal 20-year-old male patient with ASD using a dental appliance. A series of appointments prepared the patient for the required treatment procedures and desensitized him for use of the final appliance. The final appliance improved outcomes of a post-treatment sleep study, indicating successful treatment of OSA. Understanding the specific challenges of patients with ASD and the patience and foresight of providers in approaching these challenges, in collaboration with caregivers, can contribute to improved health outcomes for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C., USA; Private practice, Bington, N.C., USA. Maggie_Fetner@unc.edu.
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fetner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn., USA.
authors.forename: Carissa J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Cascio
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Center for Pain Research and Innovation, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C., USA.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Essick
mesh_terms: D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D003760:Dental Impression Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D012833:Siloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D011145:Polyvinyls; D012833:Siloxanes; C034183:vinyl polysiloxane