The Impact of orthodontic-surgical treatment on patients’ TMD symptoms, psychological distress, and Quality of Life

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze changes in orthognathic-surgical patients’ symptoms in the head and neck region during treatment, and to investigate associations between symptoms, satisfaction with occlusal function, psychological distress, and orthognathic quality of life (OQoL). Study subjects comprised 60 consecutive patients referred to two university hospitals for assessment of orthognathic treatment need, and 29 controls without such need. Patients and controls filled in the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) and a semi-structured diary regarding symptoms and satisfaction. Patients also filled in the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). Patient data were collected three times, T0: before any treatment; T1: 6 weeks after jaw surgery and T3: one year after surgery and controls’ data at corresponding time points. At T0 and T1 patients reported more TMD symptoms than controls. Most frequently reported symptoms were head/neck pain, stiffness/fatigue of the jaws and chewing difficulties. In all time points, symptoms were reported most often in the morning. At T3, patients’ satisfaction with occlusal function and OQoL had improved, while those of controls’ remained unchanged. At T3, no statistically significant differences were found between controls and patients. Patients’ number of symptoms correlated negatively with satisfaction and positively with OQoL. The study showed that orthognathic patients report TMD symptoms most often in the morning. More symptoms seem to indicate lower satisfaction with occlusal function and lower OQoL. Symptoms, OQoL and satisfaction with occlusal function improve during treatment.