# Changes in facial appearance alter one’s sensitivity not only to the self but also to the outside world

## TL;DR

Changing facial appearance through jaw surgery improves self-evaluation and sensitivity to emotional objects in patients.

## Contribution

This study reveals how facial changes from surgery affect cognitive sensitivity to self and external stimuli.

## Key findings

- Facial appearance changes improved self-evaluation and sensitivity to emotional objects.
- Improving self-face ratings were linked to increased sensitivity to objects.
- These findings suggest a new way to measure the effectiveness of jaw surgery.

## Abstract

Changes in facial appearance due to orthognathic surgery are known to improve a patient’s postoperative quality of life, however, potential changes in cognitive function are unknown. This study examined the effects of changes in facial appearance due to orthognathic surgery on the sensitivity to self and to outside objects in patients with jaw deformities.

Patients with jaw deformities (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 30) were tested at 3 months preoperatively, at 1 month preoperatively, and at 1 month postoperatively to assess their impression of objects (positive, negative, and neutral pictures) and their evaluation of their own face and body.

The results showed that changes in facial appearance improved self-evaluation and increased their sensitivity to emotional objects even when the objects were identical. Furthermore, the improving rating for own face was associated with the sensitivity for objects.

The changes in facial appearance in patients may have helped to clear the sensitivity to these emotional objects. These findings may provide a new indicator of efficacy in orthognathic surgery.