A Kennedy Classification of a partially edentulous maxilla with missing teeth 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (missing left posterior + left and right anterior teeth). What is the classification?

Kennedy Class III modification 1
Kennedy Class IV (anterior crossing midline — no mods allowed)
Kennedy Class I (bilateral posterior edentulous — symmetrical loss)
Kennedy Class II modification 1 (unilateral posterior edentulous + one additional edentulous space)

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Kennedy Class II modification 1 (unilateral posterior edentulous + one additional edentulous space)

A. Class III requires a unilateral edentulous space with natural teeth on BOTH sides — the posterior left area has no teeth posterior to the gap.
B. Class IV requires an anterior edentulous area crossing the midline — the anterior missing teeth here are on one side only (1–5), not crossing the midline.
C. Class I requires BILATERAL posterior edentulous areas with no remaining natural posterior teeth — this has anterior edentulous area, not bilateral posterior.
D. Correct. The edentulous areas are: (1) posterior left (#16–12) — posterior unilateral edentulous = Class II primary classification, and (2) anterior right (#5–1) — an additional edentulous space = modification 1. Kennedy Class II Mod 1: unilateral posterior edentulous space (no teeth posterior to it on that side) PLUS one additional edentulous space on the other side.

More Restorative & Materials practice questions