Reducing Fear and Enhancing Aesthetics: Orthodontic Management with Video Self-Modeling in an Adolescent with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents challenges in social interaction and communication, particularly in the context of orthodontic treatment where patients may experience heightened anxiety. This case report introduces an innovative approach that utilizes video self-modeling (VSM) to address these challenges and enhance the orthodontic treatment experience for adolescents with ASD.

Case Report An 11-year-old female patient with ASD required orthodontic treatment. Conventional behavioral guidance techniques were unsuccessful because of the patient's anxiety and sensory sensitivity. Utilizing VSM, we crafted personalized video content to illustrate the dental procedure, significantly alleviating patient's fear and anxiety. This approach led to the successful completion of her orthodontic treatment.

Conclusion This case report underscores the effectiveness of VSM as a valuable behavioral guidance technique in orthodontic treatment for adolescents with ASD. By alleviating anxiety and fear, VSM has the potential to significantly enhance the dental care experience and promote improved oral health and well-being in this specific patient population.

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder - orthodontic treatment - behavior guidance techniques - video self-modeling (VSM) - anxiety - sensory sensitivities - oral health - dental care - adolescent

Data Availability Statement

Data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author.

Ethical Approval

The Ethics Committee at A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India approved this case report (ETHICS/ABSMIDS/333/2023).

Permission to Reproduce Material from Other Sources

No copyrighted material was used to create this case report. All content was original or used with proper authorization, and no permissions for reproduction were required.

Patient Consent

The mother (legal guardian) of the patient and the child who participated in creating the video self-modeling provided consent for the publication of this case report, and the patient provided assent.

Authors' Contributions

H.R., N.R., S.S., and K.D. treated the patient; S.S. and K.D. wrote the manuscript; and K.R., Y.R.S., and M.R. edited the manuscript.

^* Both authors should be considered as joint first author as they contributed equally.

Publication History

Article published online:
09 July 2024

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