The association between the psychological status and the severity of facial deformity in orthognathic patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the psychological status and correlate it with the severity of facial deformities of patients with skeletal malocclusions before orthognathic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 96 patients aged 15 to 47 with skeletal malocclusions were examined before orthognathic treatment was provided. A photographic analysis was carried out to determine the severity of facial deformity according to the Facial Aesthetic Index (FA1). All patients were divided into three groups according to the FAI score: light (0 to 9), moderate (10 to 19), and severe (>19) facial deformities. Thirty subjects aged 17 to 39 with normal occlusion and attractive harmonious faces without previous orthodontic and/or surgical history were taken as controls. Psychological testing of controls and patients in the study group was performed before orthognathic treatment was provided.

RESULTS

Psychological testing showed no statistically significant differences among groups with light and moderate facial deformity and subjects in the control group. Significant differences were encountered among patients with severe facial deformities compared with controls in a series of personality traits, including introversion, neuroticism, trait anxiety, dependency, unsociability, and leadership.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthognathic patients with different degrees of facial deformity have different psychological profiles. Patients with light and moderate facial deformity have no significant psychological problems. Patients with severe facial deformity show a significantly higher prevalence of emotional instability, introversion, anxiety, and unsociability. Such psychological profiles make orthognathic patients with severe facial deformity prone to psychological distress, depression, and adverse psychological reactions.