A bridge is a fixed prosthesis that is used to replace one or more missing teeth.

	Purpose
	To replace missing teeth in order to prevent the drifting of neighbouring teeth into the tooth space, which will result in crooked teeth or abnormal bite To restore the functions of teeth, including mastication, speech and aesthetics ¡@ ¡@

	Mechanism
	A bridge is being anchored by the teeth on either side of the tooth space; it can also be fixed by a metal wing extending from either side of the bridge. A bridge can be used together with crowns. ¡@ ¡@

	Material
	Porcelain fused to gold ¡@ ¡@

	Types
	Conventional Bridge ¡@ Mechanism ¡@ ¡@ The crowns on both ends of the bridge act as anchors and hold the bridge in place. ¡@ Properties ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ Suitable for stress bearing area ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ Bridge can be relatively longer ¡@ Procedures for conventional bridge ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The neighbouring teeth on both sides of the tooth space are shaped according to the design of the bridge. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ Impressions of the upper and lower dental arches are taken and the bite registration is recorded. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The bridge is fabricated in the dental laboratory. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The finished bridge is tried in the patient's mouth and adjustment is made accordingly. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The bridge is cemented onto the prepared teeth. ¡@ ¡@ ¡@ ¡@ Cantilever Bridge ¡@ Mechanism ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The bridge is only supported or fixed on one neighbouring tooth. ¡@ Properties ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ Suitable for low stress bearing area ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ Can only replace one missing tooth For example, replacement of a lateral incisor by a cantilever bridge anchored by the central incisor ¡@ Procedures for cantilever bridge ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The neighbouring tooth of the missing tooth shaped according to the design of the bridge. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ Impressions of the upper and lower dental arches are taken and the bite registration is recorded. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The bridge is fabricated in the dental laboratory. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The finished bridge is tried in the patient's mouth and adjustment is made accordingly. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The bridge is cemented onto the prepared tooth. ¡@ ¡@ ¡@ ¡@ Maryland Bridge ¡@ Mechanism ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The bridge is anchored by metal wings extending from both ends, and composite resin is used to bond the metal wings to the neighbouring teeth. ¡@ Properties ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ Only suitable for low stress bearing area ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The teeth used to support the bridge should have enough enamel structure ¡@ Procedures for Maryland bridge ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The inner surfaces of neighbouring teeth of the missing tooth are shaped according to the design of the bridge. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ Impressions of the upper and lower dental arches are taken and the bite registration is recorded. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The bridge is fabricated in the dental laboratory. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The finished bridge is tried in the patient's mouth and adjustment is made accordingly. ¡@ ¡@ ¡´ The bridge is bonded onto the prepared teeth. ¡@ ¡@ ¡@ ¡@