PARTIAL EDENTULISM;

EXPLORING PARTIAL EDENTULISM PATTERNS IN MANDIBULAR ARCH AMONG PATIENTS OF KARACHI.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the various patterns of partial edentulism of mandibular arch in patients seen. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Prosthodontics, Dr Ishrat- Ul -Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences Karachi. Period: Six months from July 2013 to December 2013. Materials and Methods: Utilizing consecutive sampling technique, 527 patients were included. Partial edentulism pattern was recorded by visual examination using Kennedy’s classification after applying Applegate’s rules.  Results: In present study class III partial edentulism was the most dominant pattern with class IV being the least in number in mandibular arch. The class III with one modification only involving posterior area was pr-edominant type. As the age of study participants increased, there was decrease in prevalence of class III pattern and increase in class I, class II and class IV pattern. In present study gender had no significant effect on distribution of various Kennedy’s classification, whereas there was statistically significant association between age and pattern of partial edentulism. Conclusion: The Kennedy’s class III was the most common pattern of partial edentulism irrespective of age and gender.