Orthognatic Quality of Life: What Are We Measuring?

Abstract

Objective: To assess properties of Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire in Croatian cultural context by analyzing: how dentofacial deformity influences quality of life (QoL), what aspects of QoL are patients’ primary motives to undergo orthognathic surgery, what changes after surgery and how personality traits influence QoL. Materials and Methods: A total of 472 subjects (65% females) aged 12 to 45 years (median 20) were included. Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire, Oral Health Impact Profile, Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire, Orofacial Aesthetics Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, and Big Five Inventory were used. The subjects’ dentofacial deformity and malocclusion severity was assessed by Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need, and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. Results: Social aspect is mostly influenced by dentofacial deformity (P < 0.05). Impaired oral function was the primary motive to undergo orthognathic surgery (P < 0.001). Social aspect and aesthetic concern mostly decreased after the surgery (P < 0.001). Self-esteem was the strongest predictor of the orthognathic QoL, the increase of self-esteem decreases the QoL impairment. Neuroticism and extraversion were in the background of problems in social interactions and facial aesthetic concerns, while perfectionism affected social contacts (r = 0.284–0.410; P < 0.001). Only awareness of deformity did not correlate to any of the other instruments. Conclusion: Impaired oral function seems to be the most powerful motive for orthognathic surgery, but social aspects and facial aesthetic concern are more accurate indicators of conditions and changes. Self-esteem is the strongest personality trait influencing orthognathic QoL.

Optimizing Facial Esthetic Outcomes: Adding Distraction Osteogenesis to Your Classic Orthognathic Surgery Armamentarium

“…However, the secondary advantage is the improved esthetic soft-tissue outcomes, occlusal stability considerations from orthodontic and prosthodontic aspect, and the improved quality of life. 34,35 A disadvantage is the expense of the devices and the extended treatment time as an expected consequence of gradual expansion. Compared to classical orthognathic surgery procedures, distraction requires close monitoring with real-time adjustment of the individualized treatment plan during the expansion phase.…”

“…The primary advantage when we have applied multisegmented simultaneous distraction in cases without craniofacial abnormalities is the increased skeletal stability. However, the secondary advantage is the improved esthetic soft-tissue outcomes, occlusal stability considerations from orthodontic and prosthodontic aspect, and the improved quality of life 34,35 …”

Facial aesthetic concern is a powerful predictor of patients' decision to accept orthognathic surgery

“…The psychosocial and functional issues were evaluated by the Croatian version of the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) completed by referred patients and control group. This questionnaire is composed of 22 items that assess four dimensions, namely alteration of oral function (OF) with 5 items (range from 0 = low‐20 = high), awareness of dentofacial deformity (AW) with 4 items (range 0 = low‐16 = high), impairment of social contacts due to facial deformity (SA) with 8 items (range 0 = low‐32 = high) and the facial aesthetic concern (FA) with 5 items (range 0 = low‐20 = high) 13 . Aesthetic concern refers to self‐reports of being self‐conscious about the appearance of the face and teeth, disliking their own profile, or being seen on photographs or video.…”

“…It (range 0 = low-20 = high). 13 Aesthetic concern refers to self-reports of being self-conscious about the appearance of the face and teeth, disliking their own profile, or being seen on photographs or video.…”