Perceptions of Young Adults Having Undergone Combined Orthodontic and Orthognathic Surgical Treatment: A Grounded Theory Approach

PurposeThe present qualitative study aimed to explore the subjective perceptions and values of young adults having undergone combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment to resolve their dentofacial deformity.Materials and MethodsTen participants (5 women and 5 men; 20 to 25 yr of age) whose combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment had been terminated 1 to 3 years before undertaking the present study were selected. Open in-depth interviews, of approximately 30 minutes' duration, were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The interviews were analyzed using procedures inherent to the grounded theory approach, a qualitative approach to collecting and analyzing data that aims to develop a theoretical proposition grounded in real-world observations.ResultsA core category was identified describing the participants' satisfaction with treatment outcome despite the difficult experiences that they lived through during the orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment. In association to the core category, 6 other categories emerged: experiences shared by those already having undergone similar treatment; shock for family and close friends at the hospital; difficulty eating; pain caused by orthodontic treatment; fears caused by swelling and complications; and smiling with self-confidence.ConclusionA better understanding of patients' views on combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment can assist health care professionals in properly counseling patients and their families and providing better patient-centered care.