What is a Maryland Dental Bridge?
Poulsbo Dental bridges are a popular tooth replacement treatment option. Bridges usually consist of an artificial tooth or teeth, called a pontic, to replace the missing tooth, with either artificial crowns or metal wings on each side. Bridges get their name from the fact that they are synthetic piece designed to “bridge the gap” created by a missing tooth. There are several different kinds of dental bridges, but one of the most common is the Maryland bridge. The Maryland bridge is named for the University of Maryland where some argue it was developed. Here is a bit more information about the Maryland bridge design and the benefits of this type of dental bridge.
The Maryland Bridge
The trademark of a dental bridge is the design with a frame that can be securely attached in the mouth. The Maryland bridge design includes a metal frame with a porcelain tooth secured to the front of the frame and metal wings on each side to be attached to the adjacent teeth with bonding.
There are some common drawbacks of the appearance of the Maryland bridge:
1) Natural teeth are a little translucent, meaning that the glue and frame attached to the back of your natural teeth can make them look darker than they are. In order for this not to be obvious, the artificial replacement tooth needs to be a little bit darker so that it matches the teeth on either side. Your dentist will need to consider this before ordering your bridge!
2) The false tooth, which is usually made from porcelain, may not match your natural teeth very well. What this means is if you are considering a Maryland bridge, it is important that you invest in a good false tooth. This is important as it will impact how the overall appearance of your smile.
How do Maryland bridges differ from other dental bridges
The biggest difference between Maryland bridges and other types of bridges is the metal framework and metal wings. There are several other types of dental bridges that differ a bit from the Maryland design. The most popular dental bridge design is the traditional dental bridge. Traditional bridges have artificial crowns on each side of the artificial tooth that securely attach to your natural teeth instead of the frame and wings of the Maryland bridge. While the traditional bridge may be more durable in the way it is permanently secured in the mouth, this design does require more time in the fitting process. For the traditional bridge fitting, the adjacent teeth need to be filed down so that the crowns will fit securely. Unlike the traditional bridge, the Maryland dental bridge does not require extra preparation. The Maryland bridge will require a dental visit for the impression and measurement and then a follow-up visit for the fitting.
If you are looking for a good replacement option for a missing tooth, you should schedule a time to have a discussion with your dentist. This discussion will help you decide if the Maryland bridge is the right fit for you and your needs.
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