Who may find this useful?
People with a missing tooth who want to understand different support principles.
← All explanationsResin-bonded bridge
How can a replacement tooth be held by a bonded wing?
A resin-bonded bridge is fixed replacement dentistry that uses an adhesive connection to replace a missing tooth. One or more wings attach to suitable neighbouring teeth, usually on their backs. It is also called an adhesive or Maryland bridge; it does not include an artificial root in the bone.
For training & practice ↓
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Span the gap
The pontic occupies the position of the missing tooth. Support comes from the adjacent tooth through a bonded wing, rather than from the bone. The number of wings and design are planned for the situation.
Provide a suitable bonding surface
Appropriate tooth surfaces and careful bonding are important. Existing restorations, supporting tissues, available space and the bite affect planning. The gap alone cannot establish suitability.
Care for the connection
The replacement tooth and its margins need to be accessible for cleaning. A bond can loosen; arrange a check if this happens rather than gluing it yourself. Reviews are part of care.
At a glance
How does planning start?
By examining the gap, supporting teeth, enamel surfaces and bite.
What is discussed for aftercare?
Cleaning beneath the pontic, reviewing the bond and what to do if it becomes loose.
Knowledge in motion
Explained in 36 seconds.
Three steps. No audio.
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Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available below.
Read the film text in English
Span the gap
The pontic occupies the position of the missing tooth. Support comes from the adjacent tooth through a bonded wing, rather than from the bone. The number of wings and design are planned for the situation.
Provide a suitable bonding surface
Appropriate tooth surfaces and careful bonding are important. Existing restorations, supporting tissues, available space and the bite affect planning. The gap alone cannot establish suitability.
Care for the connection
The replacement tooth and its margins need to be accessible for cleaning. A bond can loosen; arrange a check if this happens rather than gluing it yourself. Reviews are part of care.
Often confused
Adhesive bridge or implant?
An adhesive bridge attaches to natural adjacent teeth. An implant is an artificial root anchored in bone. They use different support principles.
Quick answers
Do adjacent teeth need full crowns?
A resin-bonded bridge usually does not require full-crown preparation. Targeted preparation and surface conditioning may still be needed, so no change to the tooth at all cannot be universally promised.
Will it suit every gap?
No. Location, loading, the bite and the condition of potential supporting teeth matter. An individual plan is needed; the term itself does not establish eligibility.
Will it last permanently?
A fixed lifespan cannot be promised. Care, design, bonding and loading influence performance. If it debonds, assessment determines whether rebonding or another approach is appropriate.
At the practice
For a personal discussion
An editorially suggested question for a discussion with Dr med dent Niusha Barahmand Pour:
Would my adjacent teeth and bite be suitable for an adhesive bridge?
The appropriate replacement depends on the full examination. An appointment can put the different support principles into context.
Discuss a missing toothAppointment selection at DoctolibLearning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge
- Pontic
- The artificial tooth spanning the gap.
- Abutment tooth
- A natural tooth supporting the replacement.
- Retainer wing
- A surface bonded to the supporting tooth.
Make the distinction
An adhesive bridge attaches to natural adjacent teeth. An implant is an artificial root anchored in bone. They use different support principles.
Sources and context
Editorial research: . General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.