Purpose/aim: To investigate demographic and systemic health characteristics, and the types of dental procedures performed for adults with autism that had sought care at a dental school.
Materials And Methods: De-identified data were collected from the records of patients aged 18+ who have self-reported autism. Each patient's age, gender, BMI, mental health, heart disease, xerostomia, tobacco use, alcohol use, diabetes, use of drugs, seizures, and total number of medications, as well as the type and number of dental codes used in the care of that patient within each code category were included as variables.
Aims: To assess the prevalence of degenerative bone changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of older adults using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to verify possible associations between these findings and patient health history.
Methods: CBCT scans comprising both TMJs were acquired for 137 patients aged 65+, regardless of TMD status. Images were assessed by two oral radiologists and evaluated for the presence of flattening, erosion, sclerosis, subchondral cysts, and osteophytes in the TMJ bony components, and self-reported patient systemic health histories were retrieved from records.