The impact of altered sensation affecting the lower lip after orthognathic treatment.

PURPOSE: Inferior dental nerve paresthesia is a well-known risk of orthognathic surgery, but little is known about the effects of altered sensation in day-to-day life. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess the impact of altered sensation after orthognathic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was divided into 2 parts: the first phase involved semistructured, in-depth interviews with 13 post-treatment orthognathic patients who presented with altered sensation affecting the lower lip. In the second part of the study, the data from the interviews were used to develop a questionnaire that was distributed to 40 post-orthognathic patients (75% completion [n = 30]). The results were analyzed by use of descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: In both stages of the study, common descriptors used to describe the altered sensation were "tingling" and "numb." The majority of patients were aware of the neurosensory disturbance when touching their lips, face, or jaw, and patients also expressed difficulties knowing when food was left on their lip. It was noted that patients who were aware of the altered sensation all of the time expressed the greatest distress in their everyday life. When it came to emotions associated with the altered sensation, the majority of patients were disappointed, but few were upset or angry. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of altered sensation due to inferior dental nerve damage after orthognathic surgery varied from patient to patient, but altered sensation had a significant effect on the majority of patients' everyday lives. The information obtained from this study makes an important contribution to the informed consent process.