Objective To evaluate the effect of sensory disturbance after the sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO）on quality of life. Methods From September2004 to September 2005, 21 patients undergoing SSRO were studied by using questionnaires. There were 12 males and 9 females, aging 1927 years(mean 22.6 years).The patients were followed up at 4 weeks and 24 weeks after operation. The subjective questionnaire was completed by patient to evaluate the degree of living quality descending. Results At 4 weeks,19(90.48%) patients’ living quality descended because of postoperative sensory disturbance. Among them, 7(33.33%) patients had severe descending of living quality. The average effecting time of living accounted for total time 26.9%(about 6.5 h/d). At 24 weeks, 12(6316%) patients’ living quality descended because of postoperative sensory disturbance, 7(36.84%) patients could achieve preoperative living quality. The average effecting time of living accounted for total time 15.5%(about 3.7 h/d). Conclusion Most patients have descending of living quality after SSRO because of sensory disturbance. However, this condition can be improved during the followup and more than 1/3 patients canachieve their preoperative living quality.