Much like its traditional dental bridge counterpart, the Maryland bridge is used to replace missing teeth. It was named after the University of Maryland’s dental school where the procedure was popularized.
Maryland Bridge vs. Traditional Dental Bridge
With a traditional dental bridge, the dentist first shaves down the enamel of the teeth neighboring the site of the missing tooth. A Maryland bridge is a more conservative approach — instead of shaving down neighboring enamel, the bridge is bonded to the back of the neighboring teeth. This results in an aesthetically pleasing result without needing to alter the nearby teeth.
When Can a Maryland Bridge Be Used?
The Maryland bridge doesn’t have very strong support, which means it can’t be placed in areas of the mouth used for chewing. It also can’t be used to bridge a large gap from multiple missing teeth. It can only be used when replacing one missing tooth in the front, non-chewing part of the mouth.
Who Is a Candidate?
Some of the best candidates for a Maryland bridge are children with congenitally missing teeth. Since it’s usually one tooth missing in the aesthetic zone, a Maryland bridge can be a great interim solution until their bones fully mature and are able to support dental implants. Adults can get Maryland bridges too, but since adults already have fully matured bones a dentist may recommend dental implants instead, as they are often the superior option.
Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges
Both traditional and Maryland bridges don’t engage with the tissue underneath them, leading to bone resorption over time. Traditional bridges require shaving down neighboring teeth. Maryland bridges can only be used where strong support is not required. Dental implants, on the other hand, leave neighboring teeth intact and can provide all the support of a natural tooth.