Removable partial denture

Introduction & Classification

Dilemma after tooth extraction
?What is prosthetics

• That branch of dentistry that deals with the replacement

of missing teeth, and/or the replacement of missing
tooth tissues
• Fixed prosthodontics (crowns/bridges)
• Removable prosthodontics (dentures)
• [implant retained/supported prosthodontics]
RPD - definition

A prosthesis (denture) that replaces some teeth in a"

partially dentate arch. It can be removed from the
"mouth (by the patient!) and replaced at will
Treatment options for Edentulous spaces
• Large diversity of treatment complexity
• Number of teeth to be replaced
• Health of residual dentition
• Health of patient
• Patient requirements
• Patient expectations
• Dentist competence
• Laboratory competence & liaison
• TIME!
 Partial Denture
Fixed Partial Denture FPD Removable Partial Denture
RPD
Attachment retained RPD
Over Teeth or Implant Clasp retained RPD
Removable partial
overdenture
 Components of Removable Partial Denture

1. Denture Base ( Saddle)

2. Supporting Elements( Rests & Embrasure Hock & Onlay )
3. Retentive Elements ( Direct {clasp & attachments} &
Indirect )
4. Connectors ( Major & Minor )
Denture Base (Saddle)

"That part of the denture that rests on the oral mucosa

and carry the artificial teeth"
or alternatively "The space(s) to be filled by the denture“
• Classification of Saddles
• Bounded Saddles
– (teeth present at both ends of the saddle area)
• Free-end saddles
– (teeth present at only the anterior end of the saddle)
 Support

"The resistance to a vertical displacing force

directed towards the mucosa“
Classification of Support

1. Tooth support
2. Mucosa support
3. Tooth and Mucosa support
Others i.e. implants, overdenture (tooth)- support
Retention
• "That quality inherent in a prosthesis acting to resist
movement or displacement away from the mucosa”
Mechanical Retention
• Achieved in RPD prosthodontics by the use of clasps. Or
attachments
Major connector
That component of a denture which unites saddles of a
denture
– • Cast metal (Co-Cr), Gold, Nickel chrome or titanium
– • Acrylic resin
Classification of RPD
Requirements of an acceptable method of classification
1. It should be permit immediate visualization of the type of partially
edentulous arch being considered.
2. It should permit immediate differentiation between the tooth- support and
the tooth and tissue- supported RPD.
3. Serve as a guide to the type of design to be used.
4. It should be universally acceptable.

The most familiar classifications are those originally proposed by Kennedy,

Cummer, and Bailyn. Classifications have also been proposed by Beckett,
Godfrey, Swenson, Friedman, Wilson, Skinner, Appligate, Avent, Miller, and
others.
Classification of RPD
• Classifications in current use are of two types - those
which classify the partial denture and those which
classify the partially edentulous arch.
• A classification which describes partial dentures is
based on the nature of the support utilized by a
partial denture. Support can be gained from:
1. Teeth-support (born),
2. Mucosa-support,
3. Teeth and mucosa-support.
 Classification of RPD

According to support:
• Teeth-support (born),
• Mucosa-support,
• Teeth and mucosa-support
Classification of RPD
Kennedy’s Classification
By Dr.Edward Kennedy,(1925)

Kennedy divided all partially edentulous arches into 4 clases based on the
location of the edentulous area/s as follows:
1. Class I: Bilateral edentulous areas located posterior to the remaining
natural teeth.
2. Class II: A unilateral edentulous area located posterior to the remaining
natural teeth.
3. Class III: A unilateral edentulous area located between the remaining
natural teeth.
4. Class IV: A single, but Bilateral (crossing the midline), edentulous area
located anterior to the remaining natural teeth.
Classification of RPD
Kennedy’s Classification

Class I Class II

Class III Class VI

What about the following
cases ?
 Kennedy’s Classification
Applegate rules
Applegate (1960) provided the following 8 rules to governed the application of the Kennedy
classification:
Rule 1. Classification should follow rather than precede extractions that might alter the original
classification.
Rule 2. If the third molar is missing and not to be replaced, it is not considered in the classification
Rule 3. If the third molar is present and is to be used as an abutment, it is considered in the classification
Rule 4. If the second molar is missing and not to be replaced, it is not considered in the classification
Rule 5. The most posterior edentulous area/s determine the classification.
Rule 6. The edentulous areas other than those determine the classification are referred to as
modification spaces and are designated by their number.
Rule 7. The extent of the modification is not considered, only the no. of additional
edentulous areas.
Rule 8. There can be no modification areas in Class IV arches.
 (4)
(1) (2) (3)
Class I, Modification 1.

(8)
(5) (6) (7)

(12)
(9) (10) (11)

(16)
(13) (14) (15)
By using Applegate rules, Kennedy classification
is an anatomical classification which describes
the number and distribution of edentulous areas
present.
Class I, Modification 1.
Class III, Modification 2.
Class II, Modification 1.
Class IV, ????