BRIDGES

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BRIDGES
A bridge is a way of replacing a missing tooth by using the teeth adjacent to the gap to support a false tooth. This can be done in two ways:
Conventional Bridge - With this technique teeth next to the gap are crowned and both of these crowns are linked by either a gold or sometimes porcelain framework. The framework is then built up with porcelain to give the appearance of a natural tooth which is then cemented in the mouth and is fixed permanently.

MARYLAND BRIDGE
With this technique a false tooth can be cemented onto the adjacent teeth using small metal ‘wings’. The advantage of this technique is that it involves very little destruction of healthy tooth tissue and usually does not need local anaesthetic to prepare it. The disadvantage of this option is that the teeth next to the space must be relatively intact and also it does not have the strength of a conventional bridge. There are however many situations where a Maryland bridge is the treatment of choice. Porcelain ‘lattice’ bridges are now also available where the metal ‘wings’ have been replaced by porcelain making them more aesthetically pleasing.

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