Dental erosion: a complication of Pervasive Developmental Disorder

A young teenage male presenting for a routine check-up reported no health problems. Initial clinical

examination revealed some enamel loss on the palatal surfaces of the maxillary incisors. Erosion

lesions were suspected. Similar lesions, however, were not found throughout the mixed dentition and

radiographic findings were inconclusive. To confirm the diagnosis of these lesions and, more importantly,

to disclose the etiology, a thorough and detailed clinical examination of these lesions was

conducted. Study models were made, mounted in centric occluding position, and closely screened. In

addition, the health history was revisited, by interviewing the patient and his legal guardian. The

information gathered led to the conclusion that the lesions in question were erosion lesions with

concomitant wear facets that resulted from attrition of the softened enamel surface. An ample light on

the possible etiological factors was shed, which assisted in the planning phase for the course of

management. It is not uncommon that dental health care providers encounter in daily practice cases of

early erosion lesions similar to those reported here. In most of these instances,minor changes in tooth

morphology that represent a slight departure from the norm could be overlooked and often ignored.

If such lesions go undetected, the underlying causes may escape diagnosis. However, if action is taken

to pursue investigation of the causative factor, the result could assist in understanding the overall

complexity of the health condition of the patient. This would enable planning the proper course of

management for the total well being of the patient.

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