Self-esteem and depression in patients presenting angle class III malocclusion submitted for orthognathic surgery.

OBJECTIVE To assess self-esteem and depression in patients submitted for orthognathic surgery. METHODS Assessment was realized on 29 patients, male and female, aged 17 to 46, presenting Angle Class III malocclusion and referred for surgical treatment, during the preoperative (orthodontic preparation) and postoperative (six-month postoperative) periods. Either maxillomandibular or isolated procedures were performed. Two previously validated standardized measurement instruments for this area were used: the UNIFESP-EPM Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Self-Report Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance and the Bonferroni test) verified possible interactions between the pre and postoperative periods, genders and types of surgery. Significance was determined at 5%. RESULTS Females showed improved self-esteem, presenting lower mean values after surgery (8.9 to 6.3). Regarding depression, a significant reduction in the number of depressive symptoms (p=0.002) occurred for female patients. CONCLUSIONS Female patients presented improved self-esteem and diminished depressive symptoms due to surgical intervention; whereas male patients showed no alteration in self-esteem and depression with surgical intervention.