Isolated sagittal synostosis patients treated surgically were as happy with their facial appearance as were individuals in an age and gender-matched control group. Two independent panels found the patients' appearance to be only somewhat less attractive. Analysis of the socioeconomic situation and general health revealed that patients equaled that of controls.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of depressive symptoms and self-esteem, and their association with facial asymmetry in adults who were operated on in early childhood due to metopic and sagittal craniosynostosis. Methods The study population consisted of 49 non-syndromic patients of whom 41 had premature fusion of the sagittal and 8 of metopic suture. There were 64 controls from the Finnish National Register. Self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and subjective satisfaction with one’s appearance were evaluated by using the Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire (RSE), the short form of Beck Depression Inventory (R-BDI), and a purpose-designed questionnaire on satisfaction with facial and overall appearance. Aesthetic evaluation was done from standard photographs using panels. The facial symmetry was calculated by using 3D photogrammetric methods. Results Patients did not have a lower self-esteem or experience significantly more moderate or severe depressive symptoms. However, 20% of the patients and 6% of the controls (p = 0.041) experienced mild depressive symptoms. There was no difference between self-assessed evaluation of appearance between the groups. Only weak correlation was found between facial asymmetry and RSE or R-BDI results (cc = 0.27–0.42, p < 0.05). The self-assessed evaluation of facial and overall appearance correlated strongly with the R-BDI results. Conclusion Non-syndromic craniosynostosis patients are as satisfied with their appearance in adulthood as the control group and do not experience a lower self-esteem or more depressive symptoms. Facial asymmetry does not correlate with low self-esteem or clinically significant depressive symptoms in adulthood. Subjective evaluation of one’s appearance correlated with depressive symptoms. Age and gender do not influence the former results. Overall, patients are satisfied with their appearance.

Purpose The aim of this case–control study was to investigate occlusal characteristics, received orthodontic treatment, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and satisfaction with dental esthetics in adults operated due to sagittal synostosis. Methods The study group consisted of 40 adults (25 males, 15 females, mean age 27.4 years, range 18–41) who were operated due to isolated sagittal synostosis in childhood. The control group comprised 40 age and gender-matched adults. Occlusal characteristics were evaluated clinically during study visits. Information on the previous orthodontic treatment was collected from dental records. OHRQoL was measured using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and satisfaction with dental esthetics was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. Results No statistically significant differences were found between the patient group and the controls in malocclusion traits (overjet, overbite, molar relationships, crossbite, scissor bite), previous orthodontic treatment, pre-treatment malocclusion diagnoses, OHIP variables, or satisfaction with dental esthetics. However, there was a tendency toward increased overjet and overbite in scaphocephalic patients. Conclusion It seems that adults with scaphocephaly operated in childhood do not differ from the average population in terms of occlusion, received orthodontic treatment, or oral health-related well-being.