Resin Bonded Dental Bridge An Overview
The resin bonded dental bridge, sometimes referred to as a Maryland bridge, is the best option for replacing a missing front tooth when a young patient is not yet a candidate for a dental implant. This type of bridge is essentially a pontic or artificial porcelain tooth with a wing attached to it. The wing is hidden from view by bonding it to the back of one of the teeth on either side of the space.
Why Choose A Bonded Bridge?
Conservative
An advantage of this bridge design is that the adjacent supporting teeth are hardly affected by a resin-bonded bridge. The teeth are minimally trimmed down and the “wing” is simply bonded to the supporting tooth. As a result, the procedure is somewhat reversible should the decision be made at a later time to replace the bridge with a dental implant.
Color and Shape
A high degree of artistry is needed to allow the bridge to blend in with the other natural teeth both in color. To match the color of a single artificial crown to all of the front teeth is very difficult – one of the most difficult tasks in dentistry. Teeth are not simply of one color but instead typically have within them a multitude of colors.
Regarding appearance, we will do everything we can to match the bridge to the patient’s natural teeth. In fact, it is not uncommon for our laboratory ceramist, who makes the bridge, to meet us at the office so that he can accurately record the various colors of the teeth.
Even then, once we try in the bridge at the next appointment, we may decide to modify the shade or shape. Needless to say, some teeth are more difficult to match than others so we appreciate your patience in this regard.
Strength
Until recently, resin bonded bridges were made with a metal substructure for strength. Unfortunately, the appearance of the teeth suffered in that the metal showed through and the teeth appeared gray. Today, we are using a relatively strong porcelain as a substructure, which results in a bridge that appears much more life-like. Be that as it may, one cannot expect porcelain to be as strong as metal. Thus, if one does not take certain precautions (outlined below) in the care of the bridge, problems with breakage can occur.
Having had considerable post-graduate training regarding occlusion (the bite), we know how to construct the bridge in such a fashion that the stresses on the bridge are minimized. In fact, we have found that the vast majority of failures (bridge coming loose or breaking) are attributable to patients not following the necessary precautions.
