A bridge involves replacing the missing tooth or teeth by attaching a replacement tooth to the adjacent tooth or teeth. They are permanent fixtures, and do not need to be removed. There are three main types of bridges:

Maryland Bridge

Maryland bridges are where a ‘wing’ is used to support the missing tooth. They are generally considered to be a more conservative option than a traditional bridge, as they require very little (sometimes no) removal of existing tooth structure. They are generally only used for front teeth. Your dentist will be able to assess if you are a suitable candidate for this type of bridge.

Cantilever Bridge

Cantilever bridges are where one tooth is used to support the missing tooth using a full crown (as opposed to the wing used in a Maryland bridge). This approach is also more suitable for front teeth, or where neighbouring teeth are heavily filled and require crowns.

Traditional Bridge

Traditional bridges are where the teeth on both sides of the missing tooth are crowned, and this is used to support the replacement tooth. This is often considered to be a better option for back teeth, or where the surrounding teeth are heavily filled and require crowns.