This document discusses removable partial dentures (RPDs) and classifications of partially edentulous arches. It begins by defining prosthodontics and RPDs. Kennedy's classification is then explained in detail, including the four major classes (I, II, III, IV). The classification assesses the location of edentulous spaces in relation to remaining teeth. Applegate later modified Kennedy's classification to include two additional classes (V, VI) based on abutment tooth condition. The document emphasizes that Kennedy's classification is widely accepted and aids in treatment planning for RPDs.

1. DR SATYANARAYANA NAIK
MDS
DEPT OF PROSTHODONTICD
NAVODAYA DENTAL COLLEGE
Introduction To Removable Partial
Denture

2. BRANCHES
PROSTHODONTICS
FIXED
PROSTHODONTICS
REMOVABLE
PROSTHODONTICS
MAXILLOFACIAL
PROSTHODONTICS

3. What is removable prosthodontics???
“The branch of prosthodontics concerned with the replacement of
teeth & contiguous structures for edentulous or partially
edentulous patients by artificial substitutes that are readily
removable from the mouth”
GPT 9

4. Removable Partial denture (RPD)
“ It is defined as any prosthesis that replaces some teeth in a
partially dentate arch. It can be removed from the mouth and
replaced at will – also called as partial removable dental
prosthesis” (GPT 9)
 It is of two types:
- Acrylic Partial Dentures
- Cast Partial Dentures

5. TERMINOLOGIES
ToothSupported RPD:
A partial denture that receives support from
natural teeth at each end of the edentulous space or spaces.
Eg : Kennedy’s class III
Tooth – Tissue Supported RPD:
The denture base that extends anteriorly or
posteriorly & is supported by teeth at one end & tissue on the other
end.

6. Distal Extension Denture Base:
The denture base that extends posteriorly without posterior support
from natural teeth.
They are tooth tissue supported partial dentures

7. “ The preservation of that which remains is of
utmost importance and not the meticulous
replacement of that which has been lost”
Muller De Van (1952)

8. INDICATIONS FOR RPD
 Length of edentulous span
 Age
 Abutment tooth
 Periodontal support of remaining natural teeth
 Excessive bone loss
 Esthetics
 Immediate teeth replacement after extraction
 Old patients
 Patient desires (Socio-economic status, Attitude)

9. RPDIS GENERALLY AVOIDED IN FOLLOWING CASES:
 Patients with a large tongue – tends to push the denture away
 Patient attitude : mentally retarded patients cannot maintain
a prosthesis
 Poor oral hygiene : any prosthesis is better avoided

10. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Cheap
Relatively easy to construct
Easy to modify
Pleasing Esthetics
 Weak material
Non – rigid
Must be bulky for strength

11. Need For Classification
 To communicate the condition of the oral cavity
 To formulate a good treatment plan
 To anticipate the difficulties commonly to occur for that
particular design
 To design the denture according to the occlusal load usually
expected for a particular group

12. Requirements Of An Acceptable MethodOf Classification
 It should permit immediate visualization of the type of partially
edentulous arch being considered
 It should permit immediate differentiation between the tooth
supported and tooth tissue supported RPD
 Serve as a guide to the type of design to be used
 It should be universally acceptable

13. Classifications
 Cummer’s classification
 Kennedy’s classification
 Bailyn’s classification
 Neurohr’s classification
 Mauk’s classification
 Wild’s classification
 Godfrey’s classification
 Friedman’s classification

14.  Beckett & Wilson’s classification
 Craddock’s classification
 Skinner’s classification
 Austin & Lidge classification
 Watt et al classification
 Swenson’s classification
 Avant’s classification
 Costa’s classification
 Osborne & Lammie’s classification

15. Kennedy’s Classification
 Widely acceptable classification
 Devised by Edward Kennedy of New York in 1923
 Although relatively simple, it can be applied to nearly all semi
edentulous conditions.
 It is composed of 4 major categories
- Class I
- Class II
- Class III
- Class IV

16. Kennedy Class I arch :
Bilateral edentulous area located posterior to the
remaining natural teeth.

17. Kennedy Class II arch:
Unilateral edentulous area located posterior to the
remaining natural teeth

18. Kennedy Class III arch:
Unilateral edentulous area with natural teeth
both anterior and posterior to it

19. Kennedy ‘s Class IV arch:
Single, bilateral edentulous area located anterior to the
remaining natural teeth.
It is important to note that the edentulous space must
cross the midline

20. Merits of Kennedy ‘s classification
Allows visualization of partially edentulous arch
Differentiates b/w tooth and tooth tissue supported
Type of design can be decided
Universally accepted
Aids in discussing, identifying and planning the design
Easy to apply the system to any situation
Widely used system

21. Demerits
Does not assess the choice, number, location and
condition of the abutment teeth.
Assessment of hard and soft tissue status not possible.
Does not indicate the position of individual tooth.
Does not permit assessment of occlusion.

22. Applegate’s Modification (1960)
Applegate modified the above classification based on the condition
of abutment to include two more additional groups:

23. Class V:
Edentulous area bounded anteriorly & posteriorly by natural teeth but in
which the anterior abutment (eg : lateral incisor) is not suitable for
support.
It is basically a class III situation where anterior abutment cannot be used as
a support .
Hence it cannot be treated like a conventional Class III edentulous space

24. Class VI :
Edentulous area in which the teeth adjacent to the space are
capable of total support of the required prosthesis.
This denture hardly requires any tissue support.

25. Applegate’s Rules
Following rules should be considered to classify partially edentulous
arches based on Kennedy’s Classification
If extraction of hopeless teeth is required, then it should be done
prior to classification

26. Rule 1: Classification should follow rather than precede extractions
that might alter the original classification
Rule 2 : If third molar is missing & not to be replaced, it is not
considered in the classification
Rule 3 : If third molar is present & is to be used as an abutment, it is
considered in the classification
Rule 4 : If the Second molar is missing & is not to be replaced, it is not
considered in the classification
Rule 5 : The most posterior edentulous area or areas always determine
the classification

27. Rule 6 : Edentulous areas other than those, which determine the
classification, are referred to as modification spaces & are
designated by their number
Rule 7 : The extent of the modification is not considered, only the
number of additional edentulous areas are considered
Rule 8 : There can be no modification areas in Class IV. Because any
additional edentulous space will definitely be posterior to it and
will determine the classification.

28. RECOGNIZE THE
CLASSIFICATION

34. POINTS TO REMEMBER :
 Class I arches are most common.
 Class IV are least common.
 Class I & Class II, Long span Class III and IV partial dentures are
tooth - tissue supported prostheses.
 Class III is designed as fully tooth - supported prosthesis.

35. THANKU