bracket on Maryland bridge

[yasminiandevil]

I have a Maryland bridge and it is not bracketed, but the brackets on the teeth on each side of the bridge keep coming off because they have no support from the non-bracketed bridge tooth. Is it possible to bracket a Maryland bridge tooth? If not, why?

[Miss Smiley]

I don't see why not, I have brackets on my bridge and crowns, none have come off of those so far. The only bracket that came off was from a virgin tooth. You should ask your ortho what they suggest.

[rsprouse]

I have a Maryland bridge and it is not bracketed, but the brackets on the teeth on each side of the bridge keep coming off because they have no support from the non-bracketed bridge tooth.

I doubt that is why the brackets keep coming off.

Is it possible to bracket a Maryland bridge tooth? If not, why?

Yes it is possible, but it is a bad idea. How old is the bridge? Have you had it re-cemented or has it stayed since originally inserted? A traditional Maryland bridge is not the most retentive restoration out there. If you apply force to the pontic (that's the "fake" tooth or teeth) it will cause different angled forces on the retainer (the part of the bridge bonded to your natural teeth) and will likely break the cement bond and cause the bridge to fall out.

Good Luck,
Rory

[yasminiandevil]

Why *do* the brackets keep coming off then? It's been exactly one week since I was braced and already I've had to have 3 brackets replaced. I've been eating mostly soft foods and even Ensure for breakfast all week. This is so frustrating.

[rsprouse]

Why *do* the brackets keep coming off then? It's been exactly one week since I was braced and already I've had to have 3 brackets replaced. I've been eating mostly soft foods and even Ensure for breakfast all week. This is so frustrating.

I have no idea why in your particular case. But I can tell you that somehow you are generating a force larger than the bond of the composite between the tooth and bracket. The teeth could have been contaminated with moisture between etching and bonding, you could have an interference, the wire could be generating an awkward directioned force on the brackets, etc.

Good Luck,
Rory

[Miss Smiley]

My one bracket that fell off my virgin tooth was because of the force of the wire and that tooth being born in such a funny angle. For now, the ortho has decided to keep it off and none of my teeth seem to mind it.