Validation of a new classification for partially/complete edentulous dental arches

OBJECTIVES: Aims of this study were to examine prosthetic status of two representative samples using three classifications for partially/complete edentulous dental arches and to determine which one is the most appropriate instrument for that. METHODS: Kennedy-Applegate classification, the number of teeth (M/T), and a new classification were utilized. The new index contains six classes: I: edentulous jaws; II: 1-3 remaining teeth; III: SDA or spaces with 3+ posterior or 4+ anterior teeth missing; IV: 1-4 missing anterior teeth; V: 1-3 missing posterior teeth (at least one missing premolar); VI: others (at most one missing molar per quadrant). According to these classifications prosthodontic appliances in population-based samples of two cross-sectional surveys among adults aged 65-80 years were evaluated: 518 subjects from Britain (NDNS, age: 72.6±4.4 years), and 982 subjects from North-East Germany (SHIP-0, age: 72.1±4.4 years). Goodman Kruskals tau coefficient (tau) was used to estimate the size of dependency of prosthodontic appliance on classification. RESULTS: A majority of removable compared to fixed prostheses was observed in these elderly populations. The dentate of the British sample were much more likely to wear acrylic RPDs or to have no denture, whilst the German were more likely to wear a metal based RPD or to have a FPD. The number of teeth and kind of prosthodontic appliance within the Kennedy-Applegate classes varied immensely. M/T- and the new index had a homogeneous frequency distribution for prosthodontic appliance within each class. Kennedy Applegate classification showed the lowest tau (Table).

CONCLUSION: The new classification seems to be the most appropriate instrument in order to compare prosthetic status of different populations and allows to predict prosthodontic therapy options.