Maryland Bridge: The Optimal Dental Bridge Solution For Preserving Natural Teeth

What Is Maryland Bridge?

Maryland Bridge (also known as a Maryland bond) is a dental bridge used to replace missing teeth. Like a Traditional Bridge, it consists of a pontic to replace the lost tooth. However, instead of completely covering the adjacent teeth with crowns like a Traditional Bridge, it attaches to the neighboring teeth using metal or plastic wings on the back to secure the bridge without the need to grind down these teeth.

The Maryland Bridge is a good option for patients with missing teeth who want to avoid complex procedures and lengthy recovery times and for cases where dental implants or traditional bridges are contraindicated.

What Are The Indications For Using A Maryland Bridge?

The most commonly used solutions for missing teeth are implants or traditional bridges. However, for the following situations, a Maryland Bridge may be the optimal choice:

• It is an ideal choice for patients who prefer a less invasive method compared to traditional dental bridges, which require the removal of enamel from adjacent teeth, damage the structure of healthy teeth, or involve bone drilling for implant surgery, which can be painful and carries a risk of complications.
• In cases where there is insufficient bone density or the adjacent tooth roots are misaligned, making them unsuitable for dental implants, it is also a viable option.
• Particularly for younger patients (under 17 years old) who are not suitable candidates for either implants or traditional bridges, a Maryland bridge is an excellent choice.

Comparison Of Advantages And Disadvantages Of Maryland Bridges And Traditional Bridges

Advantages

Advantages of Maryland Bridge

Minimally Invasive: One of the biggest advantages of the Maryland Bridge is that the procedure is non-invasive. Unlike traditional bridges that require significant grinding of the adjacent teeth to fit the crowns, the Maryland Bridge only requires the removal of a small amount of enamel on the inner surface of the adjacent teeth. This helps to maximize the preservation of the healthy natural tooth structure. It is the most suitable method for patients with missing teeth in their teenage years, an age when natural teeth are still developing.

Cost: Maryland Bridge is often more cost-effective than traditional bridges because they require less dental work and materials. However, the cost may vary depending on factors such as the number of missing teeth, materials used, and the complexity of the case.

Quick Process: The procedure for a Maryland Bridge is usually faster than that of a traditional bridge because it requires less preparation of adjacent teeth, allowing patients to receive results more quickly.

Easy to Remove and Clean: Maryland Bridge is easy to clean and maintain because they do not affect the surrounding teeth. They can be easily adjusted or replaced if necessary, making them suitable for the ongoing development of the jaw and teeth during adolescence.

Advantages of Traditional Bridge

Strength and Stability: A significant advantage of a Traditional Bridge over a Maryland bridge is provides greater strength and stability as they are securely anchored to the adjacent teeth. This makes them suitable for areas that endure high chewing forces, such as the back teeth, and avoid movement when speaking or chewing.

Better Aesthetic Options: The crowns of a traditional bridge can be made from various materials that closely match the color of natural teeth, maximizing aesthetic improvement. Dentists have a wide range of tooth color options available for each patient, especially for those with dark stumps, helping to restore their natural aesthetic smile.

Addressing Multiple Tooth Loss Issues: In contrast to the Maryland bridge, which is suitable for cases of 1-2 missing teeth, the traditional bridge is appropriate for more complex tooth loss situations where multiple adjacent teeth need to be replaced while maintaining stability and strength.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Maryland Bridge

The limited durability and load-bearing capacity: The biggest drawback of a Maryland Bridge is that it is not suitable for replacing molars or teeth that endure significant chewing forces, as it is not securely anchored to the adjacent teeth; instead, the wings are only bonded to the inner surface of those teeth.

Limited indications: The Maryland Bridge is not suitable for all cases; it is typically used to replace a single missing tooth and may not be appropriate for situations involving multiple missing teeth or in cases where there is insufficient healthy tooth structure to bond to.

Poor retention and bonding: The metal wings bonded to the adjacent teeth may come loose or fail over time due to the adhesive used to attach the bridge deteriorating. This may require repairs or replacement after a few years. Since the Maryland bridge is not securely anchored to the adjacent teeth like traditional bridges, it can lead to movement of the teeth during chewing or speaking.

Disadvantages of Traditional Bridge

Invasive Procedure: Traditional bridges require the alteration of adjacent healthy teeth, which involves removing enamel and may weaken those teeth over time, this increases the risk of tooth decay and damage to the teeth.

Permanent Alteration: Once prepared, adjacent teeth cannot be restored to their original state, and the alteration is irreversible, if one of the supporting teeth becomes damaged or decayed, the bridge may no longer be effective and will need to be completely replaced.

Time-consuming process and higher cost: The preparation of teeth and the process of fitting a traditional bridge typically require multiple appointments, making it more time-consuming and expensive compared to a Maryland bridge, which usually only takes 1-2 visits.

Maryland Bridge at VTA Dental Lab

For over four decades, Maryland bridges have provided patients with a solution for replacing missing anterior teeth. However, advancements in dentistry today may have introduced better and more long-lasting alternatives.

Whether you are a practitioner committed to offering Maryland bridges as a type of restoration or are ready to explore alternative options for your patients, VTA is here to support you. From zirconia crowns, and inlays/onlays to Maryland bridges, we can help you provide the best care for your patients. Visit our website for more details and don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re ready to elevate your practice.