Re-Bond or Replace Your Maryland Bridge?

Posted by AllSmiles

Six months ago, the Maryland Bridge that I got in 2000 loosened for the first time. My dentist re-bonded the bridge, but since that time, the bridge has fallen off twice. The bridge was loose, so whatever my dentist did seems to have made the issue worse. The bridge is not secure. The bridge is in excellent condition, so I don’t want to replace it. Should I try another dentist to re-bond it or will the repeated bonding tries ruin it anyway? Thanks. Nathan from IL

Nathan,

Some dentists describe a Maryland bridge as an easy fix for a missing tooth. However, it requires precision at every step. When a dental bridge won’t stay in place, the issue is usually a dentist’s technique.

A dentist must shape the supporting teeth correctly and design the bridge to resist movement. Also, the bonding process is a detailed procedure that relies on specific materials and steps.

What Makes Bonding Last for a Maryland Bridge?

For a Maryland bridge with metal wings to stay in place, a dentist must accurately complete surface treatment and use the right materials.

Before bonding, the dentist needs to address several key steps:

• Thoroughly clean the metal wings of the bridge
• Etch the metal surfaces to create retention
• Select a bonding agent designed for metal
• Apply a specialized resin, such as Panavia, for a durable bond

If a dentist skips any of these steps or does them incorrectly, the bridge is much more likely to loosen.

What Might a Dental Bridge Last for Decades?

A dental bridge that stays in place for almost 30 years reflects quality in the design and tooth preparation.

When your bridge failed, the issue likely wasn’t the bridge itself but how your dentist re-bonded it. Once a Maryland bridge comes off, a dentist must clean and re-etch the metal wings

How Can You Find a Dentist to Re-Bond a Bridge?

Not every dentist works regularly with metal bonding systems. We suggest the following approach to find the right provider:

• Look for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training
• Ask if they are experienced with metal-bonding systems like Panavia

• Ask the staff to confirm with the dentist. You want someone who is comfortable with these techniques—not someone who is guessing.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. We cater to patients with dental anxiety.