Quality of Life in orthognathic surgery patients: Post-surgical improvements in aesthetics and self-confidence

The objective of this prospective study was to assess changes of Quality of Life (QoL) in patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Questionnaires were based on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP, items OH-1–OH-14) and three additional questions (items AD-1–3), and were completed by patients (n = 50; mean age 26.9 ± 9.9 years) on average 9.1 ± 2.4 months before surgery, and 12.1 ± 1.4 months after surgery, using a scoring scale. Item scores describing functional limitation, physical pain, physical disability and chewing function did not change significantly, whereas item scores covering psychological discomfort and social disability domains revealed significant decreases following surgery. AD-2 “dissatisfying aesthetics” revealed the greatest difference between pre- and post-surgical scores (p < 0.001). If there was a perception of aesthetic improvement of facial features post-surgery, the benefit in QoL was generally high. The significant correlation of the pre- to post-surgical changes of item OH-5 “self conscious” to nearly all other item changes suggested that OH-5 was the most sensitive indicator for post-surgical improvement of QoL. Psychological factors and aesthetics exerted a strong influence on the patients’ QoL, and determined major changes more than functional aspects did.