I've been thinking about getting a Maryland Bridge?

Question

Please tell me your experience after getting a Maryland Bridge, the cost, the comfort level, the pain involved in putting the bridge in.

Answer 1

Maryland bridges are not the most popular type of bridge for restoring a missing tooth. The problem comes in the retention of the supports on the abutment teeth. Maryland bridges are famous for coming off. Even with the improvement of dental adhesives in the past few years, Maryland bridges still have a reputation of being somewhat of an "old fashioned" concept in dentistry. I would really recommend that you consider a traditional bridge with full crowns as the abutments. It will be more expensive, but you won't have any trouble in comparison.
I am unsure of the cost of a Maryland bridge - that will vary region to region and as far as comfort - it will be a vey comfortable process as very little preparation is required.

Answer 2

Maryland Bridge Prep

Answer 3

As a long term sufferer of BOTH vertigo and claustaphobia I find the Dartford Crossing bit of a nightmare - in both directions. Haven't been there for a long while - but can't imagine it's changed - ie Bridge over (travelling South) and Tunnel back (returning North). Choice doesn't come into it. If you're OK on heights - the bridge affords 'good views' - but it can be rather breezy up there. If breeze turns to strong wind - or gales - they reduce speed limits even further. Toll booths (for both N/S traffic) are on the S side - and if you have plenty of loose change, you need simply toss the requisite coins into a bin - and drive on. Booths are manned - for awkward people who only have a £10 note - want change - and want to cause a mile long tail-back. It's a very 'busy crossing ' but works quite well most of the time. The occasional mishap CAN cause serious snarl-ups. I was a regular 'user' from the time the original SINGLE (2-way tunnel) was opened in 1963. They then had to build a 2nd tunnel - ie 2 lanes each - one N one S - but ever-increasing traffic made it necessary to build The Bridge. As said - the bridge caters for all southbound travellers - and the 2 tunnels cater for those going north. Quite easy - once you get used to it. ; )))

Answer 4

I agree with Nachos.
I did MarylaNds for some of my patients in the early days. The most common problem is that they get loose and fall off. Recementing is very difficult.They also have difficulties with metal show-thru wherein the abutment teeth appear slightly greyed.
They should not be joined across 2 teeth or the risk is that the bridge will loosen off one tooth and allow decay underneath. This can have devastating consequences by the time the patient realises there is a problem. It should only be glued to 1 tooth, or not at all.
The concept was admirable for conserving tooth structure, but the mechanics is poor and the failure rate is unacceptable. Don't get one.

Answer 5

I'm a dentist.

First and foremost, Nachos is a hygienist, and therefore doesn't know much of anything about dentistry.

That being said, he/she is right in the statement that maryland bridges are not as strongly retained as "traditional" bridges. Make no mistake about it, though, they are well-retained.

They have other advantages, though.

When they fail, they rarely fail catastrophically like traditional bridges do. Because maryland bridges are bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth (with only minor tooth preparation), decay is much less of an issue. When decay does occur, the involved teeth are virtually always restorable. Traditional bridges are much more prone to recurrent decay, and when they do get decay under them, the decay spreads in areas that are 1. tougher to clean, and 2. tougher for the doctor to see. Hence, often times, by the time a traditional bridge has failed, one (or both) of the supporting teeth need to be extracted.

Additionally, because maryland bridges require such little preparation of adjacent tooth structure, they often allow patients to explore other prosthetic options (such as implants) when finances permit. A maryland bridge is easy to remove, and sometimes the prepared supporting teeth don't need any sort of restoration once it has been removed.

Obviously, maryland bridges have their limitations, and they do require monitoring on the doctor's and patients' parts. Any mobility of the prosthesis (which is more likely to occur than with traditional bridges) requires a visit to the doctor for recementation because it can cause harm to the other supporting tooth. Also, maryland bridges are not suitable for replacing molars and, in my opinion, premolars, or any teeth that tend to take a lot of occlusal (or disocccluding) forces.

Overall, maryland bridges can be an excellent prosthetic option for anterior teeth.

Every treatment has its advantages and limitations, and times when they are appropriate and inappropriate. A hygienist is NOT qualified to tell you what they are.

Answer 6

Your dentist should determine if you are a candidate for this type of bridge.
It is generally used on anterior (front) teeth.
Nacho is right, they are typically considered "old fashioned".
Sometimes there are issues of the metal showing through the adjacent teeth after patients have had the bridge a while.
Please consult your dentist and let him determine the best course of treatment for you.
Best Wishes!