Maryland Bridges

 

A Maryland bridge is a fixed dental prosthesis used to replace a missing tooth. This type of bridge relies on composite resin cement for its retention. It is a resin-bonded bridge that consists of two metal wings that are adhered to a porcelain tooth. (It is also possible to replace two missing teeth by the use of the Maryland Bridge when two missing teeth are side by side.)

 

The wings are bonded to the teeth on either side to hold the false porcelain tooth (or teeth) in place. The Maryland Bridge requires very little, if any, natural tooth reduction. Because the wings are bonded to the surrounding teeth, there is no need to grind these teeth down. Thus, it is one of the least invasive forms of dental reconstruction.