The Maryland Bridge
One way to replace a tooth is the
Maryland bridge. This bridge technique was first developed at the University of Maryland, and
this is where it gets the name.
| A Maryland bridge consists of a
metal framework with a porcelain tooth baked on to the front of the
framework. The framework then ends up as a false tooth with two
metal wings on the side. These metal wings are prepared to have a
porous surface so that they can receive a bonding agent, and then
the wings are bonded to the back sides of the teeth on either side
of the missing tooth. The picture on the right shows how this looks. |
|
There are two main esthetic problems with a Maryland bridge, and both of them
have to do with the use of the metal. The first problem is that natural teeth are
translucent. Therefore, the metal backing that is bonded onto the back side of
the front teeth will cause those teeth to darken slightly, and they will no
longer match the color of the other front teeth. If the dentist doesn't take
this darkening into account (and very few dentists do), the false tooth that is
replaced will also be slightly lighter in shade than these darkened teeth on
either side.
The second problem is that the false tooth
is a porcelain fused to metal tooth, and it lacks the natural translucency and
vitality of your other teeth. The most esthetic false teeth
are those made entirely with tooth-colored materials.
We have some pictures
of a Maryland bridge posted where an expert
cosmetic dentist has replaced it with a more esthetic false tooth.
We also have an entry on our blog about a
Maryland bridge.
For the dental professional,
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This information is brought to you by
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and referrals.
An alternative is an Encore bridge, which is
made entirely of tooth-colored materials, and so it is more esthetic.
You may also be interested to read about the
ovate pontic technique, which
makes it appear that the false tooth is growing out of the gum.
