[Unfavorable outcomes in orthognathic surgery]

Successful completion of an orthodontic-surgical protocol requires faultless involvement of all the parties concerned, both the practitioners and the patient. When the result achieved does not match esthetic and/or functional expectations, the outcome may be seen as a failure by the patient, the practitioners or even both. Two situations comprising a potential for failure will be analyzed here: unfavorable outcomes and the psychological difficulties involved in accepting a new face.