The official classification system for edentulism developed by the American College of Prosthodontists.
The system classifies edentulous patient treatment complexity using four diagnostic criteria:
a) mandibular bone height,
b) maxillo-mandibular relationship,
c) maxillary residual ridge morphology, and
d) muscle attachments.
These four criteria identify patients as Class 1 (ideal or minimally compromised), Class 2 (moderately compromised), Class 3 (substantially compromised) or Class 4 (severely compromised).
A patient who presents with ideal or minimally compromised complete edentulism that can be treated successfully by conventional prosthodontic techniques.
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The Class 1 patient exhibits
a) a residual mandibular bone height of at least 21 millimeters measured at the area of least vertical bone height,
b) a maxillomandibular relationship permitting normal tooth articulation and an ideal ridge relationship,
c) a maxillary ridge morphology that resists horizontal and vertical movement of the denture base, and
d) muscle attachment locations conducive to denture base stability and retention.
THE ACADEMY OF PROSTHODONTICS
THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY
