Patients' perceptions of improvements after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy advancement surgery: 10 to 14 years of follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to determine reasons for orthodontic-surgical treatment, to quantify the perceptions of possible improvement 10 to 14 years after treatment, and to assess factors that affect treatment satisfaction and socio-dental impacts on quality of life.

METHODS: The participation rate was 36 of 78 patients; their mean age was 45.7 years (SD, 10.7 years; range, 29-62 years). The presurgical anatomic occlusions were measured on dental casts. Visual analog scales allowed the participants to rate their perceived treatment outcome on 7 oral health-related items. A 3-point scale rated satisfaction with orthodontic-surgical treatment. The oral impact of daily performances index was included to assess socio-dental impacts on quality of life.

RESULTS: Most responders reported improvements on the 7 items. The most significant change was reported for chewing. "Very satisfied" with the treatment was reported by 13 responders; 19 of 36 persons were "reasonably satisfied." Reporting "very satisfied with treatment" was 8 times more likely when peers had noticed a changed in the participant's appearance after surgery. Sex was significantly associated with quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently reported reason for treatment was to improve chewing, and the item that showed the most pronounced improvement was also chewing. Most responders were only reasonably satisfied with the treatment. Whether peers noticed a change in appearance after treatment was a significant factor affecting both treatment satisfaction and reporting a good quality of life.