Quality of life after treatment of dentofacial deformity: a cross-sectional study of 311 patients at various stages of surgical treatment

The aim of the study was to investigate self-reported quality of life (QoL) following orthognathic surgery for patients with dentofacial deformities (DFD) correlated to the type of osteotomy performed. Self-reported QoL of 311 patients was evaluated, before preoperative orthodontic treatment (n = 91), before surgical treatment (n = 76), two years (n = 35), five years (n = 56) and eight years after treatment (n = 53), using the validated condition specific Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ). Also, previous experience with orthodontic treatment was evaluated for all patients. Patients who underwent single-jaw mandibular setback surgery and Le Fort I osteotomies had the most pronounced change in global OQLQ scores. Oral function was significantly improved in both groups, and dentofacial aesthetics and awareness of dentofacial deformity was significantly improved in the mandibular setback group. The effect did not significantly change over time for any of the groups. The extent of orthodontic treatment in the preoperative stage did not significantly alter QoL scores. Orthognathic surgery improved self-reported quality of life in a Norwegian population. The type of dentofacial deformity and surgical procedure differed in some aspects, but the global OQLQ scores remained consistent.