Expectations and perceptions regarding treatment: a prospective study of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery

One hundred consecutive patients undergoing orthognathic surgical treatment were interviewed concerning their problems before surgery, motives for seeking treatment, and the effects of treatment 1 year after surgery. Comparison with other studies was undertaken using questionnaires validated in such studies. Before surgery, problems relating to function were most significant, followed by esthetic concerns and, to a far lesser extent, social interaction-type problems. Motives for seeking treatment also related mostly to functional issues. Such issues were considered best resolved through treatment. The finding that functional issues were of greater significance to patients than esthetic concerns differs from findings in most previous studies. The difference may at least partly be explained by sociocultural differences.