Partial Edentulism based on Kennedy's classifcation: an epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of different Kennedy's classes of partial edentulism during 18 months period. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients were clinically examined for various Kennedy's classes of partial edentulism in the outpatient department (OPD), prosthodontics, GPRDCH, Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh). RESULTS Of the total 1,420 OPD patients, Kennedy's class III was the most frequent classification encountered (62%) and followed by Kennedy's class I (18%), class II (11%), and class IV (9%) in decreasing order. CONCLUSION The patients with various Kennedy's classes of partial edentulism can be offered various treatment modalities like removable cast partial dentures, fixed partial dentures, over dentures and implant supported dentures. This study can be crucial for screening the population for incidence of tooth loss as a factor of gender and age. Clinical significance: Tooth loss appears to have an important role in the loss of esthetics and mastication. Study of incidence of various classes of partial edentulism provides clinically useful information for dental training and continuing education.