BODY IMAGE AND ORTHOGNATIC SURGERY: A DIALOGUE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN DENTISTRY AND PSYCHOLOGY

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.558352325018

• Palavras-chave: Orthognathic surgery. Body image. Psychology.

• Keywords: Orthognathic surgery. Body image. Psychology.

• Abstract:

  This article addresses the need to build an interprofessional dialogue between Psychology and oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, having as a reading point the Body Image (CI) and the socio-emotional aspects of patients with dentofacial deformities undergoing orthognathic surgery. Two health professionals were interviewed (an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and a Hospital Psychologist). It was observed that there are patients, after the surgical intervention, who have difficulties in dealing with the new Body Image. Most manifest satisfaction, improved quality of life, however some have difficulties in dealing with the new Body Image, showing surprise and psychic suffering. The team must deal with expectations, beliefs, feelings and emotions before the surgery and also in the post-surgical period. In addition, the importance of a multidisciplinary team for the planning, execution and post-surgical intervention was noticed. Orthognathic surgery is a considerable option in the treatment of dentofacial deformities and their aggravations, however, given the plurality of results and reactions, the importance of psychological follow-up before and after surgery and also of better dialogue between the professional fields is noted.