Prospective, multi-center study of the effectiveness of orthodontic/orthognathic surgery care in the United Kingdom

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of orthodontic/orthognathic surgical care provided in the North West region of England. It was an observational, prospective cohort study at 13 maxillofacial clinics in the United Kingdom. Methods: The 131 patients comprised 47 males (35.9%) and 84 females (64.1%), with an average age of 22.6 years. They received orthodontic/orthognathic treatment according to the normal protocols of the operators. They were then followed until all orthodontic treatment was completed. Final skeletal pattern, final peer assessment rating score, number of attendances, and duration of treatment were recorded. Results: At the end of the 5-year study, 94 patients had completed treatment, and 71 had complete data. Data analysis showed that, overall, the treatments provided were effective in terms of skeletal and dental occlusal outcomes; the final mean peer assessment rating score was 10.58. However, treatment duration was longer than commonly expected, with a mean length of 32.8 months (SD, 11.3). The outcome of treatment was influenced by only pretreatment skeletal discrepancy. Conclusions: This prospective investigation showed that orthodontic/orthognathic surgical care was effective. The outcome of treatment was influenced only by the severity of the pretreatment skeletal discrepancy. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:709-14)