Association of Mobile Phone Usage in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders – A Comparative Study

Context: Excessive usage of mobile phone is stated as an addictive behavior and is known to evolve into a complex chain of psychosomatic behavioral patterns. With prolonged usage, it has been scientifically proven to cause alterations in muscle behavior and neuromuscular proprioception in the head-and-neck region. Guidelines of the American Academy of Orofacial pain suggest a strong link between temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and cervical spine. Objective: The definite purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between long-term mobile usage and craniocervical posture in patients with TMD. Materials and Methods: Participants in the study were screened for TMDs using research diagnostic criteria-TMD Axis I screening questionnaire (2013) and categorized into three groups. Thirty patients with TMD are taken in the study, of which 27 were females. Twenty individuals without TMD served as the controls. Mean age range of subjects is 23.4 years. Three linear and two angular measurements were evaluated in the lateral profile photographs. On the lateral cephalograms, two linear and angular measurements were carried out. Results: Highly significant was obtained in Group 2 concerning mobile phone use duration (P < 0.001) and frequency (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The interlink between the mobile phone usage and cervicogenic signs appeared to be more common in the TMD group.