Impact of smartphone addiction on temporomandibular disorders through oral behaviors and psychological factors in university students

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are multifactorial conditions associated with psychological and behavioral factors. This study examined pathways linking smartphone addiction to TMD using structural equation modeling (SEM). METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 856 university students. TMD was assessed using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index, and smartphone addiction using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. Oral behaviors and psychological factors were also evaluated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed before SEM analysis. RESULTS: < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Smartphone addiction was indirectly associated with TMD through psychological distress and maladaptive oral behaviors.