This document provides an introduction to removable partial dentures (RPDs). It defines RPDs and classifies them as either tooth-supported or tooth-tissue supported. The key parts of RPDs are identified, including the major connector, minor connector, rest, direct retainer, and indirect retainer. The Kennedy classification system for partially edentulous arches is described in detail, identifying its four main classes. The Applegate-Kennedy classification is also introduced as a modification of the original Kennedy system. Merits and demerits of the classifications are discussed.

1. Introduction and Classification of
RPD
Submitted by Raghunandan Singh (Intern)

2. Removable Partial Denture:- A removable denture that
replaces some teeth in a partially edentulous arch; the removable
partial denture can be readily inserted and removed from the
mouth by the patient. (GPT 9th edition)
• Removable partial dentures can broadly be classified as two
types (depending on the manner of support):-
1. Tooth Supported Removable Partial Denture
2. Tooth-Tissue Supported Removable Partial Denture

3. 1. Tooth Supported Removable Partial Denture
• A partial denture that receives support from natural teeth at each
end of the edentulous space or spaces.

4. 2.Tooth-Tissue Supported Removable Partial
Denture
• The denture base that extends anteriorly or posteriorly and is
supported by teeth at one end and tissue on the other end. They
are also called distal extension partial dentures.

5. • Parts of Removable Partial Denture
1. Major Connector
2. Minor Connector
3. Rest
4. Direct Retainer
5. Indirect Retainer
6. Denture Base and Artificial Tooth Replacement

6. Major
Connector
A part of a removable
partial denture which
connects the
components on one
side of the arch to the
components on the
opposite side of the
arch. (GPT)

7. Minor
Connector
The connecting link
between the major
connector or base of a
removable partial denture
and the other units of the
prosthesis, such as the clasp
assembly, indirect
retainers, occlusal rests, or
cingulum rests. (GPT)

8. Rest
A rigid extension of a
removable partial denture
that contacts the occlusal,
incisal, cingulum, or
lingual surface of a tooth
or restoration, the surface
of which is commonly
prepared to receive it.
(GPT)

9. Direct Retainer
That component of a
removable partial denture
used to retain and prevent
dislodgment, consisting
of a clasp assembly or
precision attachment.
(GPT)

10. Indirect
Retainer
The component of a removable
partial denture that assists the
direct retainer(s) in preventing
displacement of the distal-
extension denture base by
functioning through lever action
on the opposite side of the
fulcrum line when the denture
base attempts to move away from
the tissues in pure rotation around
the fulcrum line. (GPT)

11. Denture Base
The part of a denture
that rests on the
foundation tissues
and to which teeth
are attached. (GPT)

12. Artificial Tooth
Replacement
These are the
prosthetic teeth that
replace the natural
teeth.

13. • Maxillary framework designed for a partially edentulous arch with a Kennedy
Classification I. A, Major connector. B, Rests. C, Direct retainer. D, Minor
connector. E, Guide plane. F, Indirect retainer

14. • Mandibular framework designed for a partially edentulous arch with a Kennedy
Classification II, modification 1. A, Major connector. B, Rests. C, Direct retainer. D, Minor
connector. E, Guide plane. F, Indirect retainer.

15. • Indications for Removable Partial Dentures
1. Young Patients
2. Need for Cross Arch Stabilisation
3. Reduced Periodontal Support for Remaining Teeth
4. Excessive Bone Loss within the Residual Ridge
5. Physical and Emotional Problems
6. Aesthetics of Primary Concern
7. Immediate Need to Replace Extracted Teeth
8. Patient Desires
9. Unfavourable Maxillomandibular Relationship

16. • Contraindication of Removable Partial Denture:-
1. Macroglossia
2. Patient attitude
3. Poor oral hygiene

17. Classification of Partially Edentulous Arches
• Need for classification :-
1. To formulate a good treatment plan.
2. To anticipate the difficulties commonly to occur for that
particular design.
3. To communicate with a professional about a case.
4. To design the denture according to the occlusal load usually
expected for a particular group.

18. • Requirements of an ideal classification:-
1. It should permit immediate visualization of the type of
partially edentulous arch that is being considered.
2. It should permit immediate differentiation between the tooth-
supported and the tooth- and tissue-supported removable
partial denture.
3. It should be universally acceptable

19. • Over the years many authors have attempted to classify partially
edentulous arches, a brief timeline is given below.
Year Author
1921 Cummer
1923 Kennedy
1927 Rumpel
1928 Bailyn
1935 Balter
1937 Muller
1937 Hisekorn
1937 Hildebrand
1939 Neurohr
1939 Dubeq si Delmas-Marsalet
1939 Martin
1942 Mauk
1946 L’Hirodelle
1949 Wild
1951 Godfrey

20. Year Author
1953 Friedman
1953,1957 Beckett-Wilson
1954 Craddock
1954 Betelman
1955 Swenson
1955 Eichner
1957 Austin-Lidge
1958 Watt
1958 Applegate
1959 Skinner
1960 Volldrich
1962 Scoala Germana
1966 Avant
1969 Erich Korber
1973 Stefel
1973 Hoffman
1974 Osborn and Lammie

21. Year Author
1975 Costa
1975 Miller
1975 Kerlheinz Korber
1975 Kerschbaum
1978 Dumitrescu
1978 Martin
1979 Kobes
1981 Fabian
2002 McGarry
2007 Arbabi
2008 Al-Johany

22. Kennedy’s Classification:-
• Most popular classification
• The Kennedy method of classification was originally proposed
by Dr. Edward Kennedy in 1925. It attempts to classify the
partially edentulous arch in a manner that suggests certain
principles of design for a given situation.
• Kennedy divided all partially edentulous arches into four basic
classes. Edentulous areas other than those that determining the
basic classes were designated as modification spaces.

23. Class I
Bilateral edentulous
areas located
posterior to the
natural teeth

24. Class II
A unilateral
edentulous area
located posterior to
the remaining
natural teeth

25. Class III
A unilateral
edentulous area with
natural teeth
remaining both
anterior and
posterior to it

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

27. Kennedy Class I Partial Denture Kennedy Class II Partial Denture

28. Kennedy Class III Partial Denture Kennedy Class IV Partial Denture

30. • Merits :-
1. The classification is simple and universally acceptable.
2. It allows to clearly communicate, to write or to diagnose the condition
of the oral cavity in which missing teeth are to be replaced.
3. It permits visualization of the type of partially edentulous arches being
considered.
4. Classification is based on the relationship of the edentulous spaces to
the abutment teeth so type of support can be easily determined.
5. The number and location of edentulous spaces can be identified but
does not indicate the number of missing teeth in each edentulous area.
6. This classification provides design for each class. Guidelines and
principles for each class have been proposed.

31. • Demerits:-
1. Does not assess the choice, number, location and condition of
the abutment teeth.
2. Assessment of the hard and soft tissue status not possible.
3. Does not indicate the position of individual tooth.
4. Does not permit assessment of occlusion

32. Applegate-Kennedy Classification:-
• Dr. O.C Applegate in 1958 modified the original classification
proposed by Kennedy, which resulted in addition of 2 more
groups.
• He also gave certain rules governing the application of Kennedy
system.

33. Class I
an edentulous situation in
which all remaining teeth
are anterior to bilateral
edentulous areas.

34. Class II
an edentulous situation in
which remaining teeth of
either side are anterior to the
unilateral edentulous area
with all teeth of the opposite
side remaining.

35. Class III
an edentulous situation in which
the edentulous area is bounded by
teeth unable to assume total
support of the necessary
prosthesis. These abutments
require the aid of teeth remotely
located, so the principles of cross
arch splinting (and counter
leverage) can be utilised to resist
the lateral tilting forces to which
these abutments will be subjected.

36. Class IV
an edentulous situation in
which the remaining teeth
bound the edentulous area
posteriorly on both right and
left sides of the median line.

37. Class V
an edentulous situation in
which teeth bound the
edentulous area anteriorly
and posteriorly but where
the anterior boundary tooth
is not suitable for abutment
service(as the lateral incisor)

38. Class VI
an edentulous situation in
which the boundary teeth
are capable of total support
of the required prosthesis.

39. Rule 1
Classification
should follow rather
than precede any
extractions of teeth
that might alter the
original
classification.
In this instance, the indicated extractions yield a Kennedy
Class II, Modification 1 arch.

40. Rule 2
If the third molar is
missing and not to
be replaced, it is not
considered in the
classification
For purposes of this discussion, each tooth that is
missing and to be replaced is shaded. Each tooth
that is missing and not to be replaced is identified
with an X. Hence, the illustration represents a
Kennedy Class III arch.

41. Rule 3
If a third molar is
present and is to be
used as an abutment,
it is considered in
the classification
Consequently, this illustration represents a
Kennedy Class III arch.

42. Rule 4
If a second molar is
missing and is not to
be replaced (that is, the
opposing second molar
is also missing and is
not to be replaced), it is
not considered in the
classification

43. Rule 5
The most posterior
edentulous area(s)
always determines
the classification
As a result, this pattern of edentulism represents a
Kennedy Class II, Modification 1 arch.

44. Rule 6
Edentulous areas
other than those
determining the
classification are
referred to as
modification spaces
and are designated
by their number
This illustration represents a Kennedy Class II,
Modification 2 arch.

45. Rule 7
The extent of the
modification is not
considered, only the
number of additional
edentulous areas
Consequently, both illustrations represent Kennedy Class II,
Modification 1 arches.

46. Rule 8
There can be no
modification areas in
Class IV arches. Any
edentulous area lying
posterior to the
single bilateral area
determines the
classification
This illustration depicts a Kennedy Class III,
Modification 1 arch.

47. Bibliography
1. Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms 9th Edition
2. McCracken’s Removable Partial Prosthodontics 12th Edition
3. Oliver. C. Applegate’s Essentials of Removable Partial Denture
Prosthesis 3rd Edition
4. Rangarajan – Padmanabhan Textbook of Prosthodontics 2nd Edition
5. Stewart’s Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics 4th Edition

48. Thank You