Thinking about orthognathic treatment

Deciding whether to go ahead with orthognathic treatment can be complex. We can support you in understanding your options, including possible benefits, risks and outcomes. This may involve talking through your concerns, expectations and what matters most to you.

Preparing for surgery and adjusting after surgery

Some people find it helpful to have support when getting ready for surgery or during recovery. This might include talking through what to expect, managing worries, and planning for the recovery period.

If needed, we can also offer short-term support after surgery, particularly if you are adjusting to changes in your appearance or function.

You can find some useful resources on in the Downloadable Resources section on the top right-hand side of the website.

Concerns about appearance 

Some people experience distress or worry about their appearance. This might include:

• Checking mirrors frequently or avoiding them
• Avoiding social situations
• Feeling uncomfortable having photos taken
• Worrying about how others see you
• Feeling like life is “on hold” until after treatment

We can offer a space to talk about these experiences and think about ways to reduce their impact on your day-to-day life.

If you would like to access to some self-help resources, this website could be of help: Appearance Overconcern Self-Help Resources - Information Sheets, Worksheets & Workbooks

Barriers to treatment

Some people find parts of treatment difficult due to anxiety, fear, or past experiences. This might include:

• Dental anxiety
• Fear of procedures or anaesthetic
• Difficult past healthcare experiences

We can work with you to understand these challenges and think about ways to make treatment feel more manageable.

What to expect from contact with our service?

As part of your care, you will meet with the orthognathic surgeon and orthodontist involved in your treatment. You may also be asked to complete a questionnaire to help us understand your experience.

Psychology is part of the wider orthognathic team. This means your care may be discussed as part of routine team planning, even if you do not meet with a psychologist directly.

In some cases, a psychologist may speak with you during a clinic appointment. You can also request to meet with us, or a member of your clinical team may suggest a consultation.

If you do meet with a psychologist, this is an opportunity to talk through any concerns and think together about whether any additional support might be helpful.

Psychology input may not be right for everyone. If you’re not sure if psychology input is right for you then please discuss this with a member of staff. If after an initial conversation with psychology, we feel that a different service is more able to support you then we will discuss this with you.

Possible outcomes

After your first appointment, it is often helpful for the team to consider next steps. Possible outcomes may include:

• Offering a letter with recommendations for you and/or your clinical team to support your treatment
• Working together with the dental team to ensure your psychological needs are understood and incorporated into your treatment plan
• Offering Psychological Sessions.This may be a short number of appointments to explore things like decision making or coping strategies, or it may be a course of psychological therapy to support with things like anxiety, appearance distress or dental trauma or other longer-term difficulties impacting on your treatment. There may be a waiting list for this support.
• Signposting to another service that may be more suitable for your needs
• Agreeing that you do not need support from the service at this time

If your involvement with the service comes to an end, you are welcome to seek support again in the future if needed.