A dental bridge is a dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to prevent shifting of the teeth which can lead to bite issues, jaw problems, and gum disease.
A fixed dental bridge is the most popular and consists of a fake tooth that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.
The “Maryland Bridge” is commonly used to replace missing front teeth and consists of a fake tooth that is attached to tooth colored bands that are bonded to the tongue-side of adjacent teeth.
The “Cantilever BRidge” is often used when there are teeth on only one side of the span. A typical three-unit consists of two crowned teeth positioned next to each other on the same side of the missing tooth space. The fake tooth is then connected to the two crowned teeth, which extend into the missing tooth space or end.