Kennedy Classification and Treatment Options: A Study of Partially Edentulous Patients Being Treated in a Specialized Prosthetic Clinic

Abstract

This study was done under the auspices of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, whose aim is to improve living conditions in developing countries, including dental aid. Each year the number of medical staff from the European Union willing to help in developing countries increases, and it is thus important to highlight issues of development. From the Middle Asian region, the Republic of Kazakhstan was chosen. At present, few studies have evaluated the prevalence of various types of partial edentulism in this region, and no research has investigated the prosthetic treatment choice in the various types of partial edentulism. The purpose of this study was to determine (i) the prevalence of various types of partial edentulism in patients seeking dental care and (ii) the type of prosthetic restoration most commonly chosen to treat these patients. One hundred twelve patient records, together with panoramic radiographs, were studied. Various types of partial edentulism were grouped into four Kennedy classes. Patient records were used to examine which treatment option was chosen for each patient. The most prevalent type of partial edentulism in this patient sample was Kennedy type III, in both the maxilla (50.0%) and the mandible (41.1%). Partial edentulism was most frequently managed by fixed partial dentures (FPDs) in both jaws. Kennedy IV was the least prevalent (7.1% in the maxilla, 5.6% in the mandible) and in most cases treated with removable partial dentures (RPDs) in both jaws. Our results are consistent with previous research on the prevalence of Kennedy classes in Kazakhstan. RPDs were the most common type of prosthetic management for partial edentulism.