What is the Maryland Bridge?

Maryland Bridge, also known as an adhesive bridge or a resin-bonded bridge, is an effective process to restore an individual’s smile and self-confidence by and replacing a missing tooth or a set of teeth. A Maryland dental bridge not only restores the gap which has been created by a missing tooth or a set of teeth but also restores the lost functionality. This allows for the individual to chew and speak without any difficulty and promote oral health. The difference between a person’s natural teeth and these artificially replaced teeth is almost indistinguishable. It is a cost-effective method of getting the gap in between your teeth filled.

A Maryland bridge is a concoction consisting of artificial porcelain teeth, known as pontics, which are baked onto a metallic structure attached with wings which contain porosities onto their inner surfaces. These are then meant to be affixed with the assistance of adhesive dental cement to the adjacent natural teeth on either posterior sides of the gap where the artificial tooth is to be placed. Formerly, the framework and the wings on a Maryland bridge was only prepared with a metal structure. Whereas, now, individuals have the choice of selecting from either zirconia or reinforced porcelain material to be used in the framework of the Maryland bridge. Both of which provide visually appealing and desirable results.

The Maryland dental bridge is mainly feasible to use in the frontal teeth area because its capacity to staying intact is limited to the resin being used to be fixed to the adjacent teeth on either side. As, if it is used in the molar region, which is subject to biting strongly with force, there are chances of it falling off. For this reason, Maryland dental bridges are more commonly used in the front teeth region where lost teeth are required to be placed. The Maryland dental bridge can be used as a temporary or permanent fix as a tooth replacement option. Patients waiting on implants can also consider this option as a temporary solution before getting implants.

It also requires very nominal preparation on its adjacent teeth as the Maryland dental bridge procedure includes re-contouring, which also removes a portion of the enamel of the teeth. After which a teeth impression is made from conferring to which a temporary bridge is made to keep infection at bay. Lastly, the permanent Maryland Bridge is attached. It can be removed very easily later on in case the patient requires any other form of a dental implant.

What are the Pros and Cons of Getting Maryland Dental Bridges?

Every dental procedure has its advantages and disadvantages, in the same way, the Maryland Bridge Pros and Cons are also inevitable. Some of the Maryland Bridge Pros and Cons are as follows:

Among the Maryland Bridge Pros and Cons, the main benefits of getting Maryland Bridges include:

• Cost-effective and affordable compared to alternate dental procedures.
• The low-risk procedure, as it can be easily replaced.
• Less time-consuming as the procedure is fast and gets done within 2 weeks.
• Proven to be functional over long periods.
• Less invasive and less intrusive procedure to adjacent teeth as they do not require to be filed down, as wings are attached to one side of the surrounding teeth, the inner part of the tooth does not need to be exposed.
• Pain-free procedure compared to various other alternate dental procedures.
• Provides instant results as it can be placed right after a tooth is extracted, so a temporary denture is not required.
• Minimal preparation is required for the surrounding teeth.
• Made from the same material as a regular bridge, but a Maryland bridge cuts the price in half or less.
• Requires a lesser number of appointments to complete the procedure.
• Minimal or no requirement for tooth maintenance.
• Easier and quicker to prepare as the process of designing the Maryland Bridge structure is much easier and simpler compared to other procedures.
• Provide a consistent, convenient, and, appealing tooth replacement option for those who have lost their front tooth or set of teeth.

Among the Maryland Bridge Pros and Cons, the potential drawbacks of getting Maryland Bridges include:

• May not be feasible for getting teeth replaced in the molar or back region of the mouth.
• This dental procedure may not be permanently secured as it may require for it to be re-bonded every 5 to 8 years.
• The attached metal wings may cause the enamel of the adjacent teeth to darken, resulting in an undesirable color mismatch to occur.
• The artificial teeth or the porcelain pontics may be light in color compared to the natural teeth.
• The strength or capacity of the bridge to stay intact depends upon the strength of the resin used to bond the bridge to the adjacent teeth.
• As a result of the use of a metallic framework for its attachment and support, it has a very limited usage period.
• They are only suitable to be used in case a dental situation arises, so they are not used very frequently for the replacement of a tooth.
• If a metal framework is used, it may cause the artificial teeth to be darker than the adjacent natural teeth, for which frameworks made from zirconia, reinforced porcelain or other types of high strength ceramic materials are being used.

How Long Does a Maryland Bridge Last?

Generally, a Maryland Bridge can last in between 5 to 15 years, with the appropriate care and getting regular dental check-ups. The common lifespan for these bridges remains for over ten years among various individuals.

Does a Maryland Bridge Damage your Teeth?

Maryland bridges can cause damage to the teeth that are healthy. The reason behind this damage may be the presence of cementing metal at the back of teeth. These bridges can also not resist much pressure during chewing unlike the other bridges.

How is a Maryland Bridge Designed?

The way a Maryland bridge is designed is slightly dissimilar to the way other types of dental bridges are made. The main reason behind this is that this process requires a very minimal preparation time of the supporting teeth. Firstly, the supporting teeth are prepared after which the dentist makes an impression of the teeth which needs to be replaced. Once the porcelain pontics are prepared, it is then attached to the supporting natural teeth with the help of dental cement or resin. Although in some cases, if required, a slight depression is made on the inner surface of the supporting teeth to increase the retention of the bridge framework structure.

Am I Permissible to Get a Maryland Bridge?

Getting a Maryland bridge is optimal for individuals who are looking to get a solution for getting a replacement on their missing teeth. However, not all individuals are suitable for this process such as individuals who do not uphold good oral hygiene or who smoke and gave unhealthy teeth to support the process may not be suitable candidates for this procedure. Moreover, individuals looking to get this procedure done but get checked for tooth decays, cavities, or periodontal diseases on their supporting or adjacent teeth and then get them treated instantly.

This dental procedure is ideal for those individuals who are liable to uphold excellent oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing daily, getting professional cleanings twice a year, and so on. Since a lack of upholding this responsibility may cause bacteria to build up and cause problems around the dental restoration.

How Much Does a Maryland Dental Bridge Cost?

Maryland bridges are generally cost-effective and affordable, although there are a few factors to consider when it comes to the cost of getting the dental procedure done. The following factors will be assessed by your dentist, upon which a professional consultation will be provided depending on your situation, according to which the cost will vary. The factors to take into consideration are as follows:

• The number of missing teeth which require teeth replacement.
• Type of materials used in the structure of the Maryland Bridge, such as the pontics and its framework.
• Difficulty in the placement of the Maryland Bridge.
• Any additional required treatments for other dental problems which may be necessary to get treated before getting a Maryland bridge.

If you are a suitable candidate to get a Maryland bridge, you will discover that this dental procedure is typically inexpensive compared to dental implants or dental implant-supported bridges or other types of teeth replacement procedures. This procedure will help you save up on money as long as excellent oral hygiene is maintained adhering to the dentists’ instructions.

Maryland Bridges depends on the position of the teeth, which requires replacement and the hygiene condition of its supporting teeth. It may not be the best solution for everyone, in some cases, it might not even be an option for certain individuals. Due to which it is vital to get your dentists opinion and suggestion on the matter and look into procedures which may be best fitting to you. Before deciding on any dental procedure, look into all the alternative options and know what you require and which procedure will provide you with the most suitable outcome in the long-term.

Maryland Bridges: Replacement of Missing teeth with Dental Maryland Bridges