Partial edentulism and removable denture construction: a frequency study in Jordanians.

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of different classes of patterns of partial edentulism and the most frequently used design components of conventional cobalt-chromium RPD constructed for patients attending a dental teaching hospital in Jordan. Two- hundred laboratory authorization forms were reviewed. Of the total 200 patients (150 male, 48 females, mean age 44.5 years), 150 patients had both maxillary and mandibular Co-Cr RPDs constructed with a total number of frameworks sums to 350. Kennedy classification was followed to identify the class of partial edentulism. Of the total 350 patterns, Kennedy class III was the most common classification encountered in maxilla (47%) and in the mandible (45%). Among combinations, maxillary Kennedy class III classification opposing mandibular class III was the most common combination (30%). The lingual bar was the most frequently designed major connector (77%), while palatal strap was the most common connector in the maxilla (38%). Significantly (p<0.05), patterns with Kennedy class II and III were more frequent among males than females. The most common type of direct retainer used was the circumferential clasp in both maxillary and mandibular RPD's. On the other hand, ring clasps were used three times more frequently in mandibular RPD frameworks compared to maxillary RPD's. The RPI clasp assembly was used in class I and class II situations in 75% of cases more common in the mandible. It is concluded that the variations in construction of RPD design concepts with international studies reflects the influence of teaching philosophy and diversity of faculty members' backgrounds.