Classification of Partially

Edentulous ArchesReporter:

Reina Joy F. Simon

The purpose of this system of classification is to facilitate treatment decisions on the basis of treatment complexity. Complexity is determined from four broad diagnostic categories:othat include location and extent of the edentulous areas, ocondition of the abutments, oocclusal characteristics and requirements, and oresidual ridge characteristics

NEED FOR CLASSIFICATION• Ease of communication between dentist and laboratory personal.

• Facilitates case history recording and immediate visualization of the edentulous arches

• Formulate a good treatment plan

• Formulate basic design principles which might be applied to similar situations.

• Anticipate the difficulties commonly to occur for that particular design.

Requirements of an AcceptableMethod of Classification1. It should permit immediate visualization of the type ofpartially edentulous arch that is being considered.2. It should permit immediate differentiation between thetooth-supported and the tooth- and tissue-supportedremovable partial denture.3. It should be universally acceptable.

Kennedy Classification• Class I : Bilateral edentulous areas

located posterior to the remaining natural teeth. Highest incidence in mandible

• Class II : A unilateral edentulous area located posterior to the remaining natural teeth

Kennedy Classification• Class III : A unilateral edentulous

area bounded anteriorly and posteriorly by remaining teeth

• Class IV : An edentulous area located anterior to the remaining natural teeth. A single but bilateral (crossing the midline) edentulous area

Modifications

• They were indicated according to the number of such areas not by

their extent, like Class III mod 2

Rules Governing Application of the Kennedy MethodRule 1Classification should follow rather than precede any extractions of teeth that might alter the original classification.

Rule 2If a third molar is missing and is not to be replaced, it is not considered in the classification.

Rule 3If a third molar is present and is to be used as an abutment, it is considered in the classification.

Rule 4If a second molar is missing and is not to be replaced, it is not considered in the classification (e.g., if the opposing second molar is likewise missing and is not to be replaced).

Rules Governing Application of the Kennedy MethodRule 5The most posterior edentulous area (or areas) always determines the classification.

Rule 6Edentulous areas other than those that determine the classification are referred to as modifications and are designated by their number.

Rule 7The extent of the modification is not considered, only the number of additional edentulous areas.

Rule 8No modification areas can be included in Class IV arches.(Other edentulous areas that lie posterior to the single bilateralareas crossing the midline would instead determine the classification; see Rule 5.)