Types of Dental Bridges: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Best Uses

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Losing a tooth can make eating, smiling, or even speaking feel tough. It can also shift your other teeth out of place. Dental bridges are a trusted solution to fill those gaps, restoring your smile and bite. This guide covers the main types of dental bridges, their pros and cons, and when they are most effective. Whether you’re missing one tooth or considering options for your oral health, this information will help you discuss your concerns confidently with your dentist.

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What Are Dental Bridges?

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Dental bridges are fixed devices that replace missing teeth with a fake tooth, called a pontic, held in place by nearby teeth or implants. They help you chew, speak, and smile better, keep your teeth aligned, and protect your jawbone. Unlike implants, which need surgery, bridges are faster to place. Unlike removable dentures, they stay put without glue and don’t rest on your gums or palate.

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Types of Dental Bridges

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There are four main types of dental bridges: traditional, cantilever, Maryland (resin-bonded), and implant-supported. Each has a unique design and materials, suited to where your missing teeth are, your oral health, and your needs. Traditional bridges are the most widely known because they have been around for longer, and are reliable without requiring any surgical intervention.

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Below, we explain each type, how they’re placed, their benefits, drawbacks, and best uses.

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Traditional Dental Bridges

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A traditional bridge uses a pontic held by crowns glued onto healthy teeth on both sides of the gap. It needs strong neighboring teeth to work.

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The process takes 2-3 visits: First, the dentist numbs the area and shapes the nearby teeth to fit crowns. They take impressions, place a temporary bridge, and later cement the final bridge (crowns and pontics). Materials include porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) for strength and low cost, all-ceramic or zirconia for a natural look, or metal alloys for back teeth.

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• Benefits: Lasts at least 5-15 years with good care, handles strong chewing, and looks natural.
• Drawbacks: Shaping teeth removes enamel permanently, which can lead to sensitivity or decay. A bad fit may lead to plaque or gum problems.

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Ideal for individuals with healthy teeth on both sides of the gap, particularly for replacing molars or premolars that experience heavy chewing. It’s excellent if nearby teeth already have or need crowns.

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Cantilever Dental Bridges

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A cantilever bridge holds the pontic with a crown on just one neighboring tooth, ideal when there’s no tooth on one side of the gap.

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The process is like a traditional bridge but shapes only one tooth: numbing, reshaping, impressions, a temporary bridge, and cementing the final bridge over 2-3 visits.

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Materials include PFM or metal alloys for strength; zirconia is less common due to cost.

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• Benefits: Less invasive since it affects only one tooth, it works for narrow gaps, and it avoids surgery.
• Drawbacks: Less stable with one anchor, risking tooth breakage or loosening; not great for heavy chewing areas.

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Unlike traditional bridges, it uses one-sided support, making it perfect for narrow gaps with no tooth on one side or when sparing the other side matters. Best for low-chew areas.

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Maryland Bonded Bridges (Resin-Bonded Bridges)

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A Maryland bridge uses a pontic with metal or porcelain wings glued to the back of nearby teeth, keeping most of your natural teeth untouched.

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The process is quick, often 1-2 visits: the dentist lightly etches nearby teeth for gluing, takes impressions, and bonds the bridge with special cement. No major tooth shaping or numbing is needed. These are typically only used for temporary solutions, as chewing can overload these, causing it to debond or come off.

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Materials include a metal frame with a porcelain pontic for looks, all-ceramic options, or lightweight composites.

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• Benefits: Barely touches your teeth, affordable, and looks great in visible areas; fast and comfortable to place.
• Drawbacks: Not very strong and may come loose over time; not suited for molars due to chewing pressure.

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Ideal for front teeth where appearance is crucial, such as replacing an incisor, particularly for individuals with minimal chewing demands or younger patients requiring a temporary solution.

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Implant-Supported Bridges

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Implant-supported bridges attach pontics to titanium implants placed in your jawbone, not relying on nearby teeth.

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The process has two steps: first, dental implants are placed, followed by 3-6 months of healing as they integrate with the bone. Then, the dentist connects your implants to a bridge.

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Materials include zirconia or porcelain for the bridge and titanium implants that work well with your body.

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• Benefits: Lasts 10-20+ years, keeps your jawbone healthy by stimulating it, and doesn’t touch nearby teeth; great for multiple missing teeth.
• Drawbacks: Implants cost more and have standard surgery risks; implant supported bridges also take longer due to the healing process.

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Chosen for not needing nearby teeth, it’s ideal for multiple missing teeth, weak neighboring teeth, or those wanting a long-lasting option. It feels very natural for big gaps.

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Key Considerations for Choosing a Dental Bridge

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Your dentist will assess your oral health to determine the best type of bridge, considering the strength of nearby teeth for traditional or cantilever bridges, or your jawbone for implants (you may need a bone graft if the level of your current bone is inadequate). Any gum disease or decay must be sorted first.

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Location of Missing Teeth

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The location of missing teeth matters: molars need traditional or implant bridges for chewing power while front teeth require most aesthetically appealing options where less drilling/reduction is best, such as with dental implants. 

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Balancing looks and function is essential. Ceramic or porcelain bridges blend naturally in visible areas like front teeth. Metal-alloy or PFM bridges are stronger for back teeth, where chewing is tougher. Your dentist will help match the material to your needs.

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Cost

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Costs vary depending on materials, number of teeth, and location, with Maryland bridges being the most affordable, traditional and cantilever bridges in the middle, and implant-supported bridges the most expensive. 

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However, keep in mind that with dental implant bridges, although more expensive initially, we can typically remove them for cleaning purposes and maintenance. With traditional bridges, they cannot be removed for access or investigation - so they tend to have a shorter lifespan for this reason- as decay or fracture would typically mean they need to be replaced or removed altogether.

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Lifestyle Factors

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Your lifestyle affects choices: smoking or diabetes raises implant risks, and teeth grinding can harm Maryland bridges (a nightguard helps). Maryland bridges are the least invasive, while implant-supported ones require more care initially due to surgery, but are easier to maintain later.

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Materials and Advancements

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Bridges use PFM (strong but may show metal), all-ceramic/zirconia (natural for aesthetics and allergy-safe), metal alloys (tough for back teeth but less pretty), or composites (light for Maryland bridges).

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Procedure and What to Expect

Each bridge type has its own process and feel. Here’s what to expect, including timelines and sensations.

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Traditional Dental Bridges

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• Procedure: Takes 2-3 visits over 2-3 weeks. The dentist numbs and shapes nearby teeth to fit crowns, takes impressions, places a temporary bridge, and later cements the final one. 
• Experience: You may feel mild soreness after shaping, eased with over-the-counter painkillers. Temporary bridges might feel bulky. Once the final bridge is placed, it feels natural, letting you eat normally soon, though it could take a few days to get used to.

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Cantilever Dental Bridges

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• Procedure: Like traditional, takes 2-3 visits over 2-3 weeks. Only one tooth is shaped and numbed. Impressions, a temporary bridge, and final cementing follow. 
• Experience: Soreness is minimal, like getting a single crown, and painkillers help. The bridge may feel less steady since it’s held by one tooth, so avoid hard or sticky foods especially at first. It settles in but may feel different for heavy chewing.

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Maryland Bonded Bridges (Resin-Bonded Bridges)

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• Procedure: Typically 2 visits. The dentist lightly roughens nearby teeth for gluing, often without numbing. Impressions are taken, and the bridge (pontic with wings) is glued on. No temporary bridge is needed.
• Experience: Almost no discomfort since it’s so gentle. The bridge feels light, great for front teeth. You can eat soon, but skip hard or sticky foods to avoid loosening.

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Implant-Supported Bridges

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• Procedure: A multi-step process over 3-6+ months. First, implants are placed surgically with numbing, followed by 3-6 months of healing. Then, the bridge is attached. Temporary dentures may be used during healing.
• Experience: Surgery causes mild to moderate soreness for a few days, helped by painkillers. Avoid hard foods while healing. Once attached, the bridge feels very natural, great for chewing, with a week or two to adjust.

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Maintenance and Longevity

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Good care makes bridges last longer, with specific needs for each type. Here’s how to care for them and how long they last.

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Traditional Dental Bridges

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• Maintenance: Brush twice daily with gentle fluoride toothpaste. Floss under the pontic with superfloss or water flossers to stop plaque. Skip hard/sticky foods like toffee or ice. Visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings at intervals advised by your dentist or hygienist.
• Longevity: Lasts 5-15 years, depending on care, material (PFM lasts well), and avoiding grinding. Feels sturdy for chewing but needs thorough cleaning to avoid tooth decay.

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Cantilever Dental Bridges

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• Maintenance: Like traditional, brush, floss under the pontic, and avoid hard foods. Checkups ensure the single supporting tooth stays strong. Be extra careful due to the single anchor.
• Longevity: Lasts 5-10 years, shorter than traditional due to one-sided support. May feel less steady for heavy chewing, so eat carefully.

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Maryland Bonded Bridges (Resin-Bonded Bridges)

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• Maintenance: Brush gently with soft toothpaste to protect the glue. Floss carefully under the pontic to avoid loosening wings. Don’t bite hard foods (like apples) with the pontic. Regular checkups check the glue’s strength.
• Longevity: Depending on the material, it can typically last 5-10 years with careful use to prevent loosening. Feels light, perfect for front teeth, but not great for heavy chewing.

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Implant-Supported Bridges

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• Maintenance: Brush twice daily and floss around implants and under pontics with threaders or water flossers to avoid gum issues. Skip hard foods during healing. See your dentist regularly to clean implants and check bone health.
• Longevity: Lasts 10-20+ years, with implants possibly lifelong. Feels most natural for chewing, even in tough areas, but needs good gum care.

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All types let you eat normally with care, but cantilever and Maryland bridges are less sturdy for heavy chewing.

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Risks and Complications

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Each bridge type has specific risks, as well as general ones, such as rare allergies or mismatched looks. Here are the risks and how to handle them.

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Traditional Dental Bridges

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• Risks: Shaping teeth can lead to decay or sensitivity; a poor fit may cause plaque or gum trouble. Bridges can fail if supporting teeth get cavities or break.
• Fixes: Brush and floss under pontics well, see your dentist regularly, and use a nightguard if you grind your teeth.

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Cantilever Dental Bridges

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• Risks: The single supporting tooth may break or loosen due to extra stress; not great for heavy chewing, increasing failure if overused.
• Fixes: Chew carefully, keep up good hygiene, and get regular dental checkups to watch the supporting tooth.

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Maryland Bonded Bridges (Resin-Bonded Bridges)

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• Risks: Most likely to come loose if wings unglue; weak for molars, risking failure in high-chew areas.
• Fixes: Handle gently, avoid hard/sticky foods, and don’t forget routine dental checks to reglue if needed.

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Implant-Supported Bridges

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• Risks: Surgery risks include infection or implant failure (1-5%), and poor hygiene can lead to gum issues. Healing time raises risks if not watched.
• Fixes: Keep hygiene strict, get professional cleanings, and avoid smoking or uncontrolled diabetes to help in the healing process.

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Compared to other options, bridges skip implant surgery risks but don’t preserve bone like implants; dentures are gentle but wobbly.

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Making an Informed Choice

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Consult your dentist for X-rays and checks to determine the best bridge for your specific gap, health, and budget. Ask: Which bridge fits my needs? What are long-term costs versus benefits? Balance looks (Maryland or ceramic for natural appearance), strength (traditional or implant for chewing), cost, time, and risks. For front teeth, focus on looks; for back teeth, prioritize strength.

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Other options, like implants, are permanent but require surgery, while dentures are removable and cheaper but less steady.

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FAQs

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Which is the most common dental bridge?

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Traditional, for its strength and flexibility.

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How do dentists choose the best bridge?

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Based on your health, gap location, budget, and lifestyle.

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What happens if I choose not to restore my missing tooth/teeth?

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In this case, the dentist will check and inform you of risks, such as neighbouring teeth tilting towards the missing space, overeruption of teeth above or below the missing tooth. Nevertheless, functionally, you may experience altered chewing/ change in bite, and aesthetically, this may be obvious to others.

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Which looks most natural?

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Ceramic or Zirconia for visible areas.

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Which lasts longest?

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Implant-supported.

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Which is the least invasive?

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Maryland.

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Can you eat normally with bridges?

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Yes, but skip extremes; cantilever/Maryland aren’t great for heavy chewing.

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Do bridges feel different by type?
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Yes, implant-supported feels most natural.

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How do bridges compare to implants or dentures?
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Bridges are fixed and faster than implants (surgical, permanent); dentures are removable but less stable. Today, implant-supported bridges are increasingly popular as they do not require us to reduce any tooth structure or create extra load on neighbouring teeth. 

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Conclusion

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Dental bridges—traditional, cantilever, Maryland, or implant-supported—offer innovative ways to restore missing teeth, improving your smile, maintaining your bite, and overall oral health. Each has benefits, such as strength or aesthetics, and challenges, like cost or risks. Understanding them helps you pick the right one with your dentist. Book a visit to check your options and make an informed decision. With the right bridge and care, you can enjoy a healthier and full smile for years to come. 

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