Changes in quality of life after orthognathic surgery: a comparison based on the involvement of the occlusion

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of dentofacial deformities on quality of life in Chinese patients and to make a comparison between facial deformities that do and do not involve the occlusion.

Study design: Consecutive patients with dentofacial deformities requiring surgical correction were divided into 2 groups. Group A represented those who had undergone presurgical orthodontic treatment, and group B represented patients with square faces or prominent zygoma. All subjects were assessed by the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the 22-item Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ-22) during 2 time periods: preoperatively and 6-8 months postoperatively.

Results: The SF-36 revealed that there was significant difference in role physical and bodily pain (P < .05) preoperatively between the 2 groups, whereas postoperatively the difference was not significant. Preoperatively, there was significant difference in oral function and facial esthetics components of OQLQ (P < .001), whereas postoperatively only the oral function domain showed significant difference.

Conclusions: Orthognathic surgery had a positive impact on patients' quality of life regardless of the type of deformity. OQLQ showed better discerning ability and was able to point out the subtle differences between the 2 groups.