Periodontal Treatment Under General Anaesthesia in a Patient With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Case Report
Maxwell da Silva Nascimento1, Lucas do Valle Morais1, Natalia Maria Aparecida Hernandes da Fonseca2, Alexandre do Valle Wuo3, Irineu Gregnanin Pedron4*
1Undergraduation Student, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
2DDS, MDS, PhD. Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
3DDS, MDS, PhD. Professor, Department of Oral Surgery and Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
4DDS, MDS. Professor, Department of Periodontics, Oral Surgery and Integrated Clinic, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. 1st Lieutenant of Brazilian Air Force, Hospital de Força Aérea de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
*Corresponding Author: Irineu Gregnanin Pedron, DDS, MDS, Professor, Department of Periodontics, Oral Surgery and Integrated Clinic, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. 1st Lieutenant of Brazilian Air Force, Hospital de Força Aérea de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.013
Received: March 19, 2026
Published: April 06, 2026
Citation: Nascimento MDS, Morais LDV, Fonseca NMAH, Wuo ADV, Pedron IG. Periodontal Treatment Under General Anaesthesia in a Patient With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Case Report. SVOA Dentistry 2026, 7:2, 97-101. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.013
Abstract
Non-surgical periodontal treatment, which initially focuses on monitoring and educating patients on oral hygiene, as well as scaling and root planing appointments, is usually sufficient for the proper management of periodontal disease. However, in patients who lack the cognitive ability required for clinical management, basic periodontal treatment is impractical. Cognitive ability in patients with autism spectrum disorder varies, which may or may not facilitate clinical care. When outpatient dental care is not possible, hospital-based care in an operating theatre, under general anaesthesia, is recommended. The purpose of this article is to present a case of a patient with severe autism spectrum disorder who underwent general anaesthesia in a hospital setting for the treatment of advanced periodontal disease.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Periodontal Diseases; Dental Scaling; General Anesthesia; Hospital Dental Service.
