Smart devices, head posture, and malocclusion: is there a relationship? A prospective controlled study.

BACKGROUND

Considering the widespread and growing use of smart devices, this study aimed to investigate the association between smart device use and malocclusion, potentially mediated by changes in head posture.

METHODS

Dental patients scheduled to undergo lateral cephalograms at a university dental hospital and who met the inclusion criteria were invited to participate. A questionnaire was completed to collect baseline demographics (age, gender, and parental education) and assess the severity of smart device use (MPPUS-10). Craniocervical and craniofacial measurements, hyoid bone position, and malocclusion characteristics were assessed using lateral cephalometric analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 97 patients (aged 9 to 20 years) completed the questionnaire. Patients with moderate smart device use (n = 50) were excluded, and only mild users (G1 = 23) and severe users (G2 = 24) were included in the final analysis. The orientation of the maxilla relative to the vertical axis was significantly more clockwise in G2 (P = 0.013). Skeletal pattern assessment using ANB and Wits analyses showed that G1 had significantly more Class I skeletal patterns, while G2 had a higher prevalence of Class III patterns. Although severe users demonstrated more forward bending of the cervical column with smaller craniocervical angles, these differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests an association between severe smart device use and a higher prevalence of Class III malocclusion. Further research is needed to explore the relationship between smart device use, head posture, and craniofacial development.