The importance of temporomandibular function for patient satisfaction following orthognathic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
From the patient's point of view, the main reasons for undertaking orthognathic surgical treatment are esthetic improvements in dentofacial appearance. The aim of this study was to analyze various factors that influence patient satisfaction regarding treatment results.


METHODS
A total of 102 (f = 67, m = 35) patients were examined after an average follow-up of 47 months. The average age at surgical intervention was 24.3 years. We evaluated the answers to a patient-satisfaction questionnaire, the Helkimo Index findings, nerve function parameters, and the frequency of intra- and post-operative complications.


RESULTS
91% of the patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the result. Answers to the questionnaire revealed that 80 (79%) patients would undergo treatment again, and 22 (21%) patients would not. There were no significant differences between the two groups concerning age, gender, type of surgical intervention, diagnosis, nerve function and complications. Statistically-significant differences were found in the Helkimo Index D 0 - D III, and pain reported in joints and movements (chi(2)-test, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate that treatment results were influenced by the craniomandibular functional status. More pronounced symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction correlated with lower patient satisfaction.
Bock
Jens Johannes
JJ
Department of Orthodontics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 19, 06097 Halle/Saale, Germany. drbock@web.de
Maurer
Peter
P
Fuhrmann
Robert Andreas W
RA
D000328:Adult; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome