Orthognathic surgery: patients' subjective findings with focus on the temporomandibular joint

Two hundred and ninety-six patients who underwent various orthognathic surgery procedures were questioned, a minimum of 1 year postoperatively, on their overall subjective findings. Patient satisfaction, willingness to resubmit to surgery, self-confidence and subjective changes in their temporomandibular joints (TMJ) function and masticatory efficiency were evaluated. 87% would undergo the combined surgical-orthodontic treatment again. Self-confidence improved in 77% of the patients. There was a subjective improvement in TMJ function in 40% of the patients and a worsening in 11%; masticatory function was improved in 41% and worsened in 7% of the patients.