Even though recent reports have shown a consistent decline in the prevalence of tooth loss during the past

few
decades, significant variation in tooth loss distribution remains. It would be most helpful to consider which
combinations of tooth loss are most common and to classify these for the purpose of assisting our management of
partially edentulous patients. Several classifications of partially edentulous arches have been proposed and are in
use. This variety has led to some confusion and disagreement concerning which classification best describes all
possible configurations and should be adopted.
The most familiar classifications are those originally proposed by Kennedy, Cummer, and Bailyn. Beckett, Godfrey,
Swenson, Friedman, Wilson, Skinner, Applegate, Avant, Miller, and others have also proposed classifications. It is
evident that an attempt should be made to combine the best features of all classifications so that a universal
classification can be adopted.
A classification that is based on diagnostic criteria has been proposed recently for partial edentulism. 1 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 that include location and extent of the edentulous areas,
condition of the abutments, occlusal characteristics and requirements, and residual ridge characteristics. The
advantage of this classification system over those in standard use has yet to be documented.
Today, the Kennedy method is probably the most widely accepted classification of partially edentulous arches. In an
attempt to simplify the problem and encourage more universal use of a classification, and in the interest of adequate
communication, the Kennedy classification will be used in this textbook. The student can refer to the “Selected
Reading Resources” section for information relative to other classifications.
Although classifications are actually descriptive of the partially edentulous arches, the removable partial denture
that restores a particular class of arch is described as a denture of that class. For example, we speak of a Class III or
Class I removable partial denture. It is simpler to say “a Class II partial denture” than it is to say “a partial denture
restoring a Class II partially edentulous arch.”

Requirements of an Acceptable
Method of Classification
The classification of a partially edentulous arch should satisfy the following requirements:
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.

Kennedy 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
(Figure 3-1).
Kennedy divided all partially edentulous arches into four basic classes. Edentulous areas other than those that
determine the basic classes were designated as modification spaces
(Figure 3-2).

The following is the Kennedy classification:

Class I Bilateral edentulous areas located posterior to the natural teeth
Class II A unilateral edentulous area located posterior to the remaining natural teeth
Class III A unilateral edentulous area with natural teeth remaining both anterior and posterior to it
Class IV A single, but bilateral (crossing the midline), edentulous area located anterior to the remaining natural teeth