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RPD — Kennedy Classification & Design

Prosthodontics • NEET MDS Study Guide • AI-Generated Notes

⭐ High-Yield Facts for Exam

  • Class I = bilateral posterior (distal extension).
  • Class II = unilateral posterior.
  • Class III = unilateral tooth-bounded.
  • Class IV = single anterior area crossing midline, no modifications.
  • Classify after extractions; most posterior area governs (Applegate).

Kennedy Classification of Partially Edentulous Arches

The Kennedy system classifies partially edentulous arches by the location of edentulous spaces relative to the remaining teeth, guiding RPD design.

  • Class I — Bilateral edentulous areas posterior to natural teeth (bilateral free-end / distal extension).
  • Class II — Unilateral edentulous area posterior to natural teeth (unilateral distal extension).
  • Class III — Unilateral edentulous area with natural teeth both anterior and posterior (tooth-bounded).
  • Class IV — Single, bilateral edentulous area anterior to remaining teeth, crossing the midline. Class IV has NO modification spaces.

Applegate's Rules (high-yield)

Classification is done after extractions; the most posterior edentulous area determines the classification; additional edentulous areas are "modification spaces" (except in Class IV).

Design Implications

Class I and II are distal extension (tissue-supported distally) cases → need stress-relieving design (e.g., RPI system). Class III is tooth-supported → more rigid design.

Exam Tips ⭐

Class I = bilateral posterior; Class II = unilateral posterior; Class III = bounded; Class IV = anterior, no modifications.

📝 Practice MCQs — RPD — Kennedy Classification & Design

Q1. Kennedy Class I refers to:
A. Unilateral distal extension
B. Bilateral edentulous areas posterior to natural teeth
C. Anterior edentulous area
D. Tooth-bounded edentulous space
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Class I = bilateral free-end (distal extension) edentulous areas.
Q2. Which Kennedy class has NO modification spaces?
A. Class I
B. Class II
C. Class III
D. Class IV
Show Answer
✅ Answer: D
Class IV is a single anterior area crossing the midline — by rule, no modifications.
Q3. According to Applegate's rules, classification is determined by:
A. The most anterior edentulous area
B. The most posterior edentulous area
C. The largest space
D. The number of teeth
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
The most posterior edentulous area determines the Kennedy class.
Q4. A unilateral edentulous space bounded by teeth anteriorly and posteriorly is:
A. Class I
B. Class II
C. Class III
D. Class IV
Show Answer
✅ Answer: C
A tooth-bounded unilateral space is Kennedy Class III.
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Related Topics

RPD Components (Clasps, Rests, Connectors)Occlusion ConceptsJaw Relations & Facebow