Incidence of partial edentulism and its relation with age and gender

Abstract

Background and objective: This study aimed to determine the incidence of various partial edentoulism according to Kennedy’s classification of edentulous arches, modification areas, types of removable partial dentures (RPDs), selection of major connectors for RPDs and patterns of tooth loss in relation to the gender and age. Methods: The study was conducted in Hawler Medical University, College of Dentistry, Dep. of Prosthodontics, Erbil/Iraq. The data were collected from 963 patients aged 17-80 years of both genders. The survey was based on visual examination for determining the incidence of Kennedy’s classification, modification areas in relation to the age and gender, determining the cause of tooth loss and types of major connectors for RPDs. Results: Kennedy’s class III in both dental arches was the most dominant pattern at a frequency of 49.84%, with class IV being the least in number. Mandibular RPDs were more common than maxillary RPDs. With an increase in age, there was an increase in the Class I and Class II dental arch and a decrease in Class III and class IV in both arches. Gender had no significant relationship with distributions of RPD classification.The majority of the constructed RPDs were acrylic resin 881(91.49%) and only 82 (8.51%) were metal. Conclusion: Kennedy’s class III is the most common RPD in both dental arches. Gender had no effect on the prevalence of various Kennedy classes, while age has a significant effect.