Dental Trauma and "Adjustment Disorder"

Oh dear God, poor you. Your poor son. You have my prayers.

It was such a procedure that finally led to my autism diagnosis. I was expecting one extraction. They took six. I took off with suicidal intention afterward, was spun into a melt down/ shut down cycle complete with self harm, which went on and on. I'd never self harmed before. I was mute for weeks. I could never let my husband kiss me again. It causes eating problems and I've lost too much weight. I am still not coping.

Four years on the dentist is still trying to put plates in my mouth and I am dry wretching immediately. The desensitization isn't working. I want it to. I want those plates. I want my mouth to feel normal again. But it doesn't and I can't cope.

MH never believed me, misdiagnosed me. I worked out it was a sensory problem due to autism for myself in the end. Worst is my tooth condition is degenerative, and WILL get worse.

I wish I could be more cheery, offer more hope, but I can't find an answer for myself yet. Your son is likely to be thrown into the most severe of sensory and psychological shocks, especially if they take him by surprise like that. Is that really wise to ambush him? I'm surprised they are allowing an approach like this. Autistic people cannot handle surprise, especially not surprise by their worst nightmare. The trauma will be beyond tolerance.

I really don't know what to suggest. I so wish I did,  except to say you and he are not alone with this. I'm so sorry, this won't be what you want to hear. I'm so sorry I don't have a better truth to give. I'm so sorry this must be so scary.

Please keep us updated. I hope you find an answer. I'd like an answer. Please keep shouting at professionals to help you. Short term medical care afterward won't do. He will be severely traumatised. They may not have ready answers, but don't let them stop trying.

My heart really does go out to you.

Oh Dawn, this must have been so absolutely horrific for you, I don't know what to write but wanted to still write something even if it cannot express adequately.

Are implants possible? My husband had two and says they were worth the money. I only had one extraction and the gap is bearable, but I can see how six might not be even once they have healed over.

No, the sensations are awful and the condition is degenerative. So, it will happen again and they can't do implants.

We just can't get over the denture issue. For the moment they are optional, but next time they won't be.

Thanks for the reply...all of the above is a problem.  I am by training a linguist and a trainer, so you can imagine how that upsets me to have my speech effected.  And I may be an older woman now, but I'm still bothered by the appearance and the loss of my sexuality.

But all that stuff is peanuts compared to the sensory torment of my mouth.  I just want it to feel normal again.  When the dentist puts in the plate it's very strange, I can at one and the same time feel instant relief that the gap is filled, but instant unbearable disgust at the plate that holds the teeth.

My dentist is a Special Care dentist, who is very compassionate and patient and she does have some training in autism, is trying all she can.  We realise that part of this is in the proprioception, but also texture and look has a lot to do with it.  I can't as a rule handle anything with spit on it.  I heave immediately.  The sight of my son's retainers in the bathroom as a kid used to make me want to chuck up.  The dentures feel so slimy. It's like having a mouth full of slugs.

I did get them in a time or two, but was sitting on the edge of the bed panting like a dog.  When I did bring myself to close my mouth, the reaction was immediate.  they had to come out.

Thanks for the reply...all of the above is a problem.  I am by training a linguist and a trainer, so you can imagine how that upsets me to have my speech effected.  And I may be an older woman now, but I'm still bothered by the appearance and the loss of my sexuality.

But all that stuff is peanuts compared to the sensory torment of my mouth.  I just want it to feel normal again.  When the dentist puts in the plate it's very strange, I can at one and the same time feel instant relief that the gap is filled, but instant unbearable disgust at the plate that holds the teeth.

My dentist is a Special Care dentist, who is very compassionate and patient and she does have some training in autism, is trying all she can.  We realise that part of this is in the proprioception, but also texture and look has a lot to do with it.  I can't as a rule handle anything with spit on it.  I heave immediately.  The sight of my son's retainers in the bathroom as a kid used to make me want to chuck up.  The dentures feel so slimy. It's like having a mouth full of slugs.

I did get them in a time or two, but was sitting on the edge of the bed panting like a dog.  When I did bring myself to close my mouth, the reaction was immediate.  they had to come out.