Bridges

A Bridge is a laboratory custom made device which is anchored to adjacent teeth to replace one of several missing teeth or occasionally to splint loose neighbouring teeth. Several types of bridge can be used.

The simplest involves a silver looking metallic wing that is bonded to the tongue side of neighbouring teeth. This holds the missing tooth. This type of bridge is an adhesion bridge sometimes known as a Maryland Bridge.

Advantages:
• The most economical choice
• The most conservative in relation to minimal preparation of anchoring teeth usually requiring no needles at all.

Disadvantages:
•A small percentage become de-bonded and need to be bonded back on. This can only be done 1 or 2 times before replacement will the full crown type is needed.

The more common and stronger type is a Conventional Bridge that involves placing crowns on the adjacent teeth and joining these to a new tooth to replace the missing tooth or teeth.
Advantages:
• Strongest
• Best Appearance
• Longest Lasting

Disadvantages:
• Most costly
• More preparation needed to anchoring teeth