Association Between Problematic Smartphone Use and Temporomandibular Disorder Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study in...

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has been associated with musculoskeletal strain, psychological distress, sleep disturbances, and reduced physical activity. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are multifactorial conditions that these factors may influence. However, the relationship between PSU and TMD severity remains unclear.

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 233 adult smartphone users at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, between April 2025 and September 2025. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling from patients attending the dental and ENT outpatient departments. Data were collected using validated instruments, including the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Fonseca Anamnestic Index, Patient Health Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants were categorized based on PSU, TMD severity, psychological distress, sleep quality, and physical activity levels. Associations were assessed using chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of TMD severity.

PSU was observed in 73% of participants. Mild TMD was present in 62.2% of participants, while 36.1% had moderate TMD. No significant association was found between PSU and TMD severity (p = 0.53). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that PSU, psychological distress, sleep quality, and physical activity were not significant predictors of TMD severity. Sex was the only variable significantly associated with TMD severity (OR = 0.432, p = 0.006).

PSU was not significantly associated with TMD severity. These findings support the multifactorial nature of TMD and suggest that smartphone use alone may not independently influence disease severity.