Psychological aspects of orthognathic treatment

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the psychological state of 30 patients subjected to corrective orthognathic surgery and their expectations, as well as the influence of an in-depth psychological evaluation on the success of the operation. METHODS: The study was performed by giving 30 patients (12 men, 18 women), affected by dental-skeletal facial abnormalities and treated with orthognathic surgery, a questionnaire with 19 questions aimed at examining their preoperative emotional state (desired esthetic and functional improvements) and postoperative emotional state (expectations after surgery and associated psychological state of anxiety and depression). RESULTS: All patients (100%) expressed a clearly positive reaction to their experience. Approximately 70% of the patients observed an improvement in their masticatory function following surgery and 96.6% an improvement in esthetic appearance. Almost none of the patients (96.6%) experienced difficulty in adapting to a change in appearance, while as a result of the surgery 66.6% experienced an increase in self-esteem and confidence. In addition, the opinion of relatives and friends of the patients was favorable in most cases (76.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In order to enable the patients to face their therapeutic program with greater confidence, a team of orthodontists, surgeons and psychologist observe the patients from the beginning of treatment, having them interact with other patients who have already experienced the same situation and by showing them pre- and postoperative pictures of other patients subjected to orthognathic surgery.