Proper Denture Use Linked to Lower Mortality Risk: Large-Scale OHSAKA Study

Tomoaki MAMENO, Kazunori IKEBE
Dept. of Removable Prosthodontics and Gerodontology, Graduate School of Dentistry

Ryohei YAMAMOTO
Health and Counseling Center

New research shows a link between removable denture use, molar occlusion, and mortality risk in older adults.

A new study from the Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, using a large dataset of 186,893 seniors in Osaka, Japan, has revealed an important link between removable denture use, the condition of back teeth, and mortality risk.

As aging often results in tooth loss, many rely on removable dentures. While dentures are thought to support health by aiding in eating, their impact on mortality has not been investigated on a large scale until now.

This groundbreaking study, a collaboration between Osaka University, the Wider-Area Union of the Medical Care System for Elderly People and the Osaka Dental Association followed 186,893 seniors over an average of 3.2 years. The results were significant.

Poorer Molar Occlusion, Higher Risk: Researchers found a direct correlation: the worse the condition of back teeth (molars), the higher their risk of death.
Impact of Dentures on Longevity: Older adults using poorly maintained dentures or those not using dentures were at an even higher risk of mortality, with their risk increasing up to 1.8 times compared to individuals with well-functioning molars and proper denture use.

These findings highlight the critical role of removable dentures in promoting health and longevity among older adults. The study emphasizes that alongside maintaining natural teeth, ensuring proper denture use after tooth loss can significantly impact a person’s lifespan.

This article, “Removable denture use, fit, and all-cause mortality in older adults with
reduced occlusal support: The OHSAKA study” was published on November 29, 2024, in “Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.” at DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.10.037