If you have ever dealt with tooth loss, you are probably familiar with how overwhelming it can be. Missing teeth can impair your oral functions and make eating, talking, or even smiling difficult. Fortunately, with modern dentistry, you can easily replace missing teeth through numerous solutions. One common way to reverse tooth loss is the Maryland Bridge.
In this article, we’ll take you through what the Maryland Bridge is, how it works, as well as why and when you should opt for it.
What is a dental bridge?
To understand what a Maryland bridge is, you need to understand what a dental bridge is. A dental bridge is a method for replacing a missing tooth without opting for dental implants. Although dental implants are one of the best and most efficient tooth loss remedies, they are not the most cost-effective options out there. Dental bridges are the more affordable alternative to dental implants for tooth loss.
Both dental implants and dental bridges will use a crown to replace the missing tooth. But in a dental implant, the root that your doctor inserts in the jaw bone is the structure that will support the crown.
However, since a dental bridge does not have a root, the technique relies on supporting the crown on the teeth next to it. In other words, if you have a missing tooth, your doctor will use the tooth on the left and the tooth on the right of the gap to support the crown.
There are 4 types of dental bridges: a traditional bridge, a Maryland bridge, a Cantilever bridge, and an implant-supported bridge. But in the following article, we will only talk about the Maryland bridge and how it differs from a traditional bridge.
What is a Maryland bridge
A Maryland bridge, also known as a resin-bonded bridge, is a dental bridge that uses extensions like wings to support the crown that will replace your missing teeth on the adjacent teeth. The structure of a Maryland bridge involves the pontic, which is the fake tooth that will fill the gap where your tooth is missing. Next, you have the wings, which are extensions on either side of the crown.
Your dentist will attach the wings on the back of your natural teeth next to the gap with a strong adhesive. In other words, your dentist does not have to file down the neighboring teeth or perform additional dental work on them to prepare for a Maryland bridge. All you need are healthy teeth or prosthetics around the tooth loss to support the crown.
Maryland bridge vs Traditional bridge
Unlike a Maryland bridge, a traditional bridge consists of 3 consecutive crowns. The middle crown is the crown that will replace the missing teeth, as for the two side crowns, your dentist will cement them on the adjacent teeth. But unlike a Maryland bridge, your dentist will have to file down your teeth to make room for the supporting crowns.
So it does not require filing down the adjacent teeth like a traditional bridge would
This is because a dental bridge will anchor the crown that will replace the missing tooth on the two adjacent teeth around the tooth loss.
Maryland bridge procedure and what to expect?
If you’re interested in the Maryland Bridge, here is what you could expect from the treatment:
Step 1: Examination
Like any dental treatment, the first step of the treatment will involve the initial visit and consultation. During the first visit, your doctor will examine your teeth for any visible signs of disease, cavities, or inflammation. Next, your doctor will request an x-ray image of your mouth to detect any underlying problems that need addressing before starting treatment.
The evaluation is important to ensure your treatment is built on a healthy foundation and will last longer.
Step 2: Taking Impressions of Your Mouth
To create a comfortable fitting prosthetic for you, your doctor needs to get an accurate impression of your mouth. Dentists can do this in two different ways. You have the traditional approach, which involves you biting on a mold. The mold will take on the shape of your mouth with all its details. To get your Maryland bridge, your dentist will send the mold to a laboratory that will manufacture it for you.
The second technique is slightly more advanced and allows for a more accurate measurement. At Detakay, we use 3D scanning with a special camera that captures all the minor details of your mouth. This allows the program to design your Maryland bridge with really precise measurements for an extremely comfortable fit.
The crown of your bridge is fully customizable, from shape to color, to give your smile an extremely natural finish.
Step 3: Fitting and Bonding
Once your Maryland bridge is ready, your dentist will place the crown on the gap and check if the fit is as should be. Then they will cement the crown in place by gluing the wings on the adjacent teeth. This will mark the end of your treatment.
What is a Maryland Bridge Made of?
The materials used to make the Maryland bridge provide strength and durability without compromising on a natural appearance and an aesthetically pleasing finish. The crown of the bridge can be made from either porcelain or resin. Porcelain is durable and has the most perfect aesthetic finish. However, resin is the more cost-effective option, and although it is customizable and can be color-matched to surrounding teeth, it is less durable than the other options.
The wings that your doctor will attach to the backs of the adjacent teeth are either biocompatible metal or porcelain. Both are durable, and their placement behind the teeth makes them practically invisible, but some people still prefer porcelain for a completely natural look.
Alternatives to the Maryland Bridge
Some other alternatives to the Maryland bridge that you consider for tooth loss if you’re not a suitable candidate for the Maryland bridge include:
- Dental Implants: A more permanent solution that involves placing a titanium root in the jawbone and attaching a fake tooth on top of it. Dental implants are the most durable and strong treatment for missing teeth.
- Traditional Bridges: These are a great alternative to the Maryland bridge if the adjacent teeth are not fully healthy. Because a traditional bridge covers the adjacent teeth with dental crowns as well, they are stronger than Maryland bridges.
Each option has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to talk to your dentist to find the best solution for your needs.
How long does a Maryland bridge last?
A Maryland bridge can last from 5 years up to 10 years. Many factors can affect the longevity of your Maryland bridge. These include the location of your bridge and your oral hygiene. A Maryland bridge will last longer if you place it in the front teeth where bite and chewing pressure aren’t as high as the back teeth.
Next is oral hygiene. You must practice good oral hygiene to make sure the adjacent teeth supporting your Maryland bridge are healthy. Cavities and dental disease can damage your teeth making them not fit enough to support your bridge.
Maryland bridge: pros and cons
Both a Maryland bridge is one of many successful treatments for tooth loss, however, because of its structural differences, the treatment has unique pros and cons. In comparison to dental implants, Maryland Bridge is more affordable and less invasive. This is because the Maryland bridge does not have a root that your doctor has to secure into the jawbone. While this makes a Maryland bridge a quick solution for tooth loss, it means it does not have a high survival rate as dental implants.
A Maryland bridge can last between 5 to 10 years, whereas a dental implant can last up to 20 years. This is because a root can give so much support and anchor to the crown, allowing it to withstand bite and chewing forces. A Maryland bridge, on the other hand, gets its support from neighboring teeth, but the adhesive can sometimes wear down. This makes the Maryland Bridge a suitable replacement for areas in the mouth where there’s less chewing pressure.
If you’re considering dental implants but cannot afford them where you are currently residing, you can look into medical tourism with the board-certified Dentakay Clinics in Turkey.
But unlike traditional dental bridges, a Maryland bridge has the unique advantage of preserving the adjacent teeth, where your doctor does not need to file, drill, or reshape them in any way.
Who is a good candidate for a Maryland Bridge?
To be suitable for a Maryland bridge, you need to meet a few requirements:
Have one or two missing teeth. Have healthy teeth around the site of tooth loss, free from decay and other dental disease (the surrounding teeth will provide support for the bridge). These are the conditions that you must meet to be a good candidate for tooth replacement using the Maryland bridge.
The Takeaway
The Maryland bridge is a successful and minimally invasive treatment for tooth loss, especially for the front teeth, offering both a quick and affordable solution. The treatment stands out for its ability to preserve your natural teeth around the site of tooth loss despite using them for anchor. Where instead of drilling your surrounding teeth, the doctor uses them to glue the wings of your Maryland bridge onto them. While it may not have the longevity or strength of dental implants, the Maryland bridge is a very cost-effective solution for tooth loss.
However, choosing the ideal treatment for your tooth loss is a decision that your doctor will help you make based on your individual needs, oral health, and budget. If you’d like to learn more about the Maryland bridge or other tooth loss treatments, you can contact the dental specialists at Dentakay.
The winner of the Best Dental Clinic in Europe Award for 2022, offers a free online consultation where patients can have the assistance of professional guidance to find the most suitable treatment for their individual case. Feel free to contact us and book your consultation to be a step closer to your dream smile.
