Head Posture and Postural Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Who Use Dentures

Background and objectives: Tooth loss and consequent denture use and impaired posture and postural balance are more prevalent in older adults than in the young ones. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the association between denture use, head posture, postural balance, and neck muscle strength (NMS). Materials and methods: We included 107 participants (56 in the non-denture use group and 51 in the denture use group) and measured their NMS, forward head posture, and postural balance. Forward head posture was measured using the craniocervical angle (CRA). Postural balance was assessed using a timed up-and-go test (TUG) and postural sway. An independent t-test was used to analyze the differences between the groups; Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of period of denture use, head posture, and postural balance. Results: We found that the denture use group had lower NMS, smaller CRA, longer TUG, and longer postural sway length than the non-denture use group. Duration of denture use was significantly correlated with TUG. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that denture use does not help with NMS, forward head maintain NMS, head posture, and postural balance in older adults.