RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study investigated the number and Kennedy Classification of the edentulous arches in patients treated at the Removable Partial Denture (RPD) Clinics of the Fluminense Federal University School of Dentistry (FO-UFF) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2005 to 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective survey was conducted on patient record charts to identify gender, age, number, and location of the edentulous arches, and Kennedy Class type. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-six patients were analyzed for this study (96 [65.8%] women and 50 [34.2%] men). Two hundred and ninety-two arches were analyzed: 74 arches (25%) were found with intact dentitions, 18 (6.1%) were edentulous arches, and 200 (68.8%) were partially edentulous arches. Ninety-one patients (62.3%) needed oral rehabilitation with RPDs on one arch and 55 (37.7%) in both arches. One hundred and eight (53.2%) partially edentulous mandibles and 92 (46.8%) partially edentulous maxillae were found. Kennedy Class I was more frequent in the mandibular arch (58 patients; 29%) whereas Kennedy Class III was more frequent in the maxillary arch (40 patients; 20%). Patients aged between 51 and 60 years presented the highest percentage of partially edentulous arches (33.6%). CONCLUSION: Mandibular Kennedy Class I and maxillary Kennedy Class III presented the highest frequency in patients treated at the FO-UFF. These results are in agreement with previous studies that evaluated the different Kennedy classes in partially edentulous arches.