Kennedy classification: Its significance
Keywords:
Kennedy classification, partial edentulism, removable partial dentures, restorative dentistry, Applegate modifications, denture design, aesthetic restoration, dental classification, RPD, clinical caseAbstract
This article reviews one of the most widely used classification systems in restorative dentistry, the Kennedy classification. The classification was first developed by Dr. Edward Kennedy in the 1920s and is designed to help identify, assess, and plan effective treatment for partial edentulous patients. Each class (I–IV) of the classification, as well as classes V and VI, introduced later by Applegate, are reviewed separately. Clinical examples, design approaches, and aesthetic and functional approaches for each class are provided. Starting with class I, cases of bilateral edentulism in the posterior region are considered, class II is a unilateral edentulous area, class III is a bilaterally demarcated edentulous area, and class IV is an anterior edentulous area that crosses the midline. Classes V and VI were added by Applegate to clarify the system and include cases where teeth cannot be used as abutments in the existing spaces or are severely damaged. The article also highlights the importance of classification in dental practice, its role in treatment planning, and its advantages in simplifying patient communication and technical collaboration. This system serves as an effective tool in prosthetic design, aesthetic restoration, and improving the patient’s oral health.
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