Quality of life and self-esteem in female orthognathic surgery patients

Purpose To evaluate the impact of severe malocclusion requiring orthognathic surgery on self-esteem (SE) and quality of life (QOL) in female adult orthognathic patients in comparison to a group with minor malocclusions seeking only orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods Female patients who were 18 to 30 years old who presented for an orthodontic consultation for correction of a malocclusion were enrolled over an 18 month period. In Group one, all patients required a two jaw surgery and they were subdivided into those with a Class II or Class III malocclusion. This group was further subdivided into those with and without a clinically significant asymmetry. A second comparison group was selected as having a minor malocclusion (MMG). The minor malocclusion group (MMG) included patients who had a Class I molar relationship with less than 5 mm on the irregularity index in the upper anterior teeth. Each participant completed the Rosenberg's self-esteem scale (RSE) and the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) before starting treatment. The RSE and OQLQ measurements were compared using one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's multiple omparison. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results MMG (n=52) showed a significantly better RSE and OQOL values than did Class II (n=37) and Class III (n=47) ( P