Impact of the Orthodontic-surgical Treatment Phases on the Quality of Life and Self-esteem of Orthognathic Surgery Patients

Objectives: To determine the impact of orthodontic-surgical treatment on the quality of life and self-esteem of orthognathic surgery patients, considering that orthognathic surgery may alter the self-perception of the patient with dento-facial deformities.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included patients with dento-facial deformities at various stages of the orthognathic surgery treatment who were divided into 4 groups (n = 20 each): group 1, orthodontic pre-treatment; group 2, pre-surgery (orthodontic treatment completed); group 3, post-orthognathic surgery; and group 4, after removal of the orthodontic appliance. Their quality of life was evaluated through the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), and their self-esteem by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) validated for Brazilian Portuguese. Statistical tests were used to compare the groups with a significance level of p < 0.050.

Results: The sample consisted of 80 patients with a mean age of 29.4 years and a predominance of females (68.8%). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for OHIP-14 (p = 0.001) and OQLQ and its domains - social, aesthetic, oral function and deformity awareness (p < 0.001), with a slight worsening in group 2 compared to group 1 and an improvement in groups 3 and 4, and in RSE (p = 0.001), with an improvement in groups 3 and 4.

Conclusion: Despite a slight worsening in the pre-surgery phase there was a significant improvement in quality of life and self-esteem in the phases after orthognathic surgery and after removal of the orthodontic appliance.