Impact of orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery therapy on quality of life in patients with skeletal class III deformities

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery on the quality of life in Thai patients with skeletal class III deformities by using the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) which had been translated from the English to Thai language. Materials and Methods: The original English version of the OQLQ was translated into the Thai language, and its reliability and validity were verified in a pilot study. Ninety-six skeletal class III deformities patients with a negative overjet of four millimetres or more were recruited and divided into two groups: Group A consisted of participants who were about to start orthodontic treatment, while Group B were participants who had completed treatment and had their fixed orthodontic appliances removed at least 12 months before the study. All participants were asked to complete the Thai language version of the OQLQ. Results: A total of 70 participants (mean age 27.73 ± 6.61 years) completed the study. The total OQLQ score and the four domain scores of group B were significantly lower than group A (p <.05), indicating an improved quality of life after the combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgery treatment. The social aspects and facial aesthetics domain showed highly significant differences between groups. Conclusion: The Thai language version of the OQLQ demonstrated adequate reliability and validity. Orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery had positive effects on the quality of life in Thai patients with skeletal class III deformities.