Like every other type of dental bridge, the replacement tooth in a Maryland bridge is held in place with the support of adjacent teeth. Unlike traditional bridges, however, Maryland bridges do not require Houston dentists to reduce the size of supporting teeth. Only reduction of the back of the teeth is necessary so that the wings of the bridge can be bonded to them.

Dental labs make the wings of a Maryland bridge from metal or resin. In Houston cosmetic dentistry, the actual artificial tooth can be made from porcelain or porcelain fused-to-metal.

It normally takes at least two trips to a Houston cosmetic dentist to get fitted with one of these bridges. The main reason for this is that dental bridges must be made in a laboratory, and the laboratory will need very accurate, personal data on your teeth to make the bridge fit your mouth. To provide them with this, your first visit to your Houston cosmetic dentist will involve having your teeth examined and prepared for a bridge fitting.

We begin by numbing the area around your teeth so we can work on them without discomforting you. We also place a rubber dam in the back of your mouth to prevent any debris from falling into your throat.

Using a handpiece, we then remove decay from the teeth surrounding the gap. We also lightly reduce the surface areas of the backs of these teeth so they can later support the Maryland dental bridge we have made for you.

Most importantly, at this point, we take impressions of your teeth and create a model of your mouth using these impressions. This model is subsequently sent off to a dental lab. The lab, when it receives this model, will use it to create a bridge that provides an exact fit for your teeth and bite.

In the meantime, our Houston cosmetic dentists will fit you with a temporary bridge. This bridge will allow you to eat and speak normally, but you should be careful not to eat any hard foods or rely upon this bridge as you would a permanent one. It is, after all, only temporary.

After the lab has sent us your permanent Maryland bridge, we then call you in for your second appointment. At that time, we place it without bonding it in order to check the fit and the bite. If these things check out fine, we will bond the wings of the bridge to the teeth on either side.

These dental bridges offer several advantages.

--They provide replacement teeth for biting and chewing.
--They help you speak clearly.
--They prevent your teeth from shifting
--Best of all, they only need minor tooth preparation.

Maryland bridges result in stronger teeth, minimized chances of future tooth sensitivity, and healthier gums.

Labels: cosmetic dental bridge, cosmetic dental bridges, maryland bridge, maryland bridges