Change in quality of life following combined orthodontic-surgical treatment of dentofacial deformities

Abstract

Background and Objectives: To determine changes in quality of life (QOL) following orthodontic-surgical treatment in patients with dentofacial deformity, using generic health, generic oral health, and condition-specific QOL approaches.

Methods: Thirty two patients were evaluated at baseline (pre-treatment) and 6-months after completion of post surgical orthodontics. Generic health-related QOL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), generic oral health-related QOL was assessed by the 14-item Short Form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and condition-specific QOL was assessed by the 22-item Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ).

Results: Following orthodontic-surgical treatment there was a significant increase (improvement) in the ‘general health’ domain of SF-36 (P < 0.05). There was a significant decrease (improvement) in OHIP-14 scores and among five of the seven OHIP domains (P < 0.01). In addition, there was a significant decrease (improvement) in OQLQ scores and among two of the four sub-domains of OQLQ (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Significant changes in QOL occurred following orthodontic-surgical treatment indicating an improvement in life quality following treatment. A comprehensive assessment of QOL using generic health, generic oral health, and condition-specific approaches proved useful in determining such changes.