A Maryland bridge may not always be the best option for your needs. First, it cannot withstand occlusal stresses in the posterior. It is also ineffective when the patient's edentulous span exceeds two teeth and when the patient has poor home care habits or is at high risk of caries.
Furthermore, the looks are not always ideal, particularly if you use one with metal wings that can be seen from certain angles. Furthermore, if the dentist chooses one of the new all-ceramic choices, attaching metal to the back can make supporting teeth appear darker.
Alternatives to Maryland Bridges
There are alternatives to the Maryland Bridge. Dental implants, partial dentures, and fixed- or implant-supported bridges are all options for patients with missing teeth.
Dental implants
Dental implants that osseointegrate into the jaw and support a crown provide numerous patient benefits. Implants offer a repair that looks and feels natural, with a success rate of approximately 97% at 10 years and 94% at 15. Implants also allow people to chew and speak as they always have. Furthermore, the implant reduces bone resorption in the alveolar ridge. They also hold the surrounding dentition in place, which prevents the patient's bite from changing.
The most significant disadvantage of dental implants is their high cost, which is often not covered by dental insurance. There is also a large recuperation time, and the patient must have a clean bill of health prior to surgery. This may necessitate extra procedures such as bone or gum grafting, which increases the expense.
Dental implants are not suitable for all patients. If the jaw bone has deteriorated to the extent that it cannot support an implant, the patient will benefit from another restoration. Patients with thinner gums may not like how the implant appears at the gumline.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures replace one or more teeth with a plastic or metal foundation. Clasps are often used around the surrounding teeth to hold the partial denture in place. Some people find it more pleasant to have flexible partial dentures with a non-rigid foundation.
Partial dentures are an attractive and cost-effective solution for tooth replacement that improves the patient's ability to smile, consume, and communicate. However, patients cannot wear them all the time and they require a lot of upkeep. They are also considered temporary replacements, with many needing to be replaced after around five years.
Partial dentures are an alternative for people with three or more lost teeth close to each other. They may occasionally replace teeth that have been extracted due to trauma or disease until a more permanent option is available. They may also be a viable option for those seeking a less expensive alternative to dental implants.
Fixed or implant-supported bridges
Fixed- or implant-supported bridges are a popular method for replacing lost teeth. The classic fixed bridge holds a replacement tooth in position by attaching crowns to the adjacent teeth. In some cases, a cantilever bridge is supported by only one crown. They are typically constructed of porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
A dental implant can also be used to support the replacement tooth, forming an implant-supported bridge. Proper oral care allows a bridge to endure five to seven years, and in some circumstances, more than ten years. Dental bridges have many advantages. They are a natural-looking treatment that allows the sufferer to chew and speak normally again.
Additionally, they prevent adjoining teeth from moving into the free region. However, success with a bridge necessitates appropriate oral health care, which includes preventing decay or damage to adjacent teeth. And sometimes, despite one's best efforts, the bridge may break, requiring a replacement, which can be costly and annoying.
The bottom line
Dental bridges are ideal for people who have solid teeth that provide adequate support for the edentulous region. Those with poor oral health or a high-risk risk may not be the ideal candidates for this restorative operation, as the supporting teeth and bone must be able to bear the weight of the missing tooth.