single tooth

The most common method for replacing a single missing tooth is with a fixed bridge that is cemented to the teeth on either side of a missing tooth. With all fixed bridges the teeth adjacent to the space must be reduced to properly hold the bridge. The most conservative bridge is a Resin-Bonded Bridge (RBB), sometimes called a Maryland bridge. the resin-Bonded Bridge offers the advantage of minimal reduction of adjacent teeth to support the missing tooth. this type of bridge can only be used under certain circumstances. A conventional bridge requires that the teeth on either side of the space be reduced in size to take room for crown which are then cemented onto the prepared teeth. The artificial replacement tooth is attached to these crowns prior to cementation. when properly maintained, the resin bonded bridge and the conventional bridge can last many years.

Implants can be considered to replace a single tooth. Often when the teeth on either side of the space are in good health, an implant may be the most conservative means of replacing the missing teeth because the adjacent teeth do not have to be reduced.