Parkwood Dental Associates

Bridges

A bridge is a dental appliance designed to fill the gap left by a missing tooth.

A bridge might be needed to prevent:

Shifting of teeth can cause bite issues (occlusion), jaw problems, and eventually periodontal disease.

Bridges help preserve the alignment of surrounding teeth and maintain a healthy, confident smile.

Types:

  • A fixed bridge is the most common type, featuring a replacement tooth attached to two crowns that fit over the adjacent teeth, securing the bridge in place.
  • The “Maryland” bridge is typically used to replace missing front teeth. It consists of a replacement tooth connected to metal bands that are bonded to the adjacent teeth. These metal bands are coated with a white-colored composite resin that matches the natural tooth color.
  • A cantilever bridge is often chosen when there are teeth on only one side of the gap. This type of bridge usually involves two crowned teeth placed next to each other on the same side of the missing tooth. The replacement tooth is then attached to these crowned teeth, extending into the gap or at the end.