Purpose: To evaluate the association between low handgrip strength and type of dental prosthesis used in Korean adults in a cross-sectional study of nationally representative big data.

Materials and methods: This study included 7,681 participants aged ≥ 19 years who were classified into the following four groups: NP (not using a dental prosthesis); FDP (using tooth-supported or implant-supported fixed dental prostheses); RPD (using removable partial dentures); and CD (using removable complete dentures). Low handgrip strength was defined as the lowest quartile of handgrip strength in each sex. The relationship between handgrip strength and dental prosthesis use was analyzed with adjustment for potential confounders. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between the use of dental prostheses and low handgrip strength (α = .05).

Results: The handgrip strength level of RPD users was significantly lower than those not using removable dentures (P < .0001). The respective adjusted odds ratios (with 95% CI) for low handgrip strength in the NP, FDP, RPD, and CD groups were 1 (reference), 0.90 (0.77, 1.05), 1.44 (1.13, 1.83), and 1.70 (1.29, 2.23) after adjustment for confounding factors. Using removable partial and/or complete dentures was associated with a 1.64-fold higher risk of low handgrip strength compared to not using removable dental prostheses.

Conclusions: The use of removable dentures was associated with low handgrip strength and may be considered a potential risk indicator for functional decline in Korean adults.