Long-term effects of inferior alveolar nerve injury on the quality of life of orthognathic patients: a clinical assessment.

Orthognathic surgery can result in long-term neurosensory disturbances (NSDs), particularly involving the inferior alveolar nerve, which may influence patient quality of life (QoL). This retrospective study evaluated the relationship between persistent NSDs and QoL in patients who had undergone bilateral sagittal split osteotomy with/without genioplasty. Forty patients were included: 20 with persistent NSDs (>12 months postoperatively) and 20 controls. Somatosensory function was assessed using qualitative sensory tests, including two-point, light-touch, directional movement, pinprick, and sharp-blunt discrimination. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated pre- and postoperatively using the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Both groups exhibited significant improvements across all QoL domains. Although the NSD group patients demonstrated persistent sensory deficits in all qualitative sensory test parameters (all P < 0.05 compared to controls), their improvements in OQLQ and OHIP-14 were comparable to those of the control group, indicating that NSDs have a limited long-term effect on perceived QoL. Genioplasty was associated with significantly greater sensory impairment in multiple tests, while type of mandibular movement and sex showed no significant effects. Strong correlations were identified between OQLQ changes and both two-point discrimination and light-touch sensation (ρ range 0.47-0.73, all P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate significant and sustained improvements in patient overall QoL after orthognathic surgery despite persistent sensory dysfunction. In conclusion, although postoperative NSDs may develop, their long-term impact on patient QoL appears minimal. Nonetheless, the higher likelihood of somatosensory alterations associated with concomitant genioplasty should be considered during surgical planning.