Maryland bridges in Londonminimally invasive front-tooth replacement that spares the healthy teeth next door.
A thin metal or zirconia wing is bonded to the back of one neighbouring tooth, holding a false tooth in place. Minimally invasive, great for front teeth, from £1,030.
What is a Maryland bridge?
A Maryland bridge — also called a resin-bonded or adhesive bridge — is a dental restoration used to replace a single missing tooth, most often at the front of the mouth.
It consists of a false tooth (pontic) attached to a thin metal or ceramic wing that is bonded to the back of one neighbouring tooth. Because the wing sits behind the anchor tooth, it isn't visible when you smile, and very little — if any — drilling of healthy enamel is required.
This makes the Maryland bridge one of the most conservative, tooth-preserving ways to close a single front-tooth gap, and a great option for younger patients waiting for jaw growth to finish before implants.
Why patients choose this treatment with us
- ✓Preserves tooth structure — neighbouring teeth generally don't need to be significantly reshaped or crowned
- ✓No surgery typically required — a non-surgical option with no incisions or healing period
- ✓Discreet design — the bonding wing sits behind the teeth and isn't normally visible when you smile
- ✓Fewer appointments — treatment can often be completed in two to three visits
- ✓Supports adjacent teeth — helps prevent neighbouring teeth from drifting into the gap over time
- ✓Established technique — Maryland bridges have been used in clinical practice for several decades with well-documented outcomes
Is this treatment right for you?
- •Single missing front tooth (upper or lower)
- •Adults with a healthy anchor tooth alongside the gap
- •Cases where an implant isn't possible or affordable yet
- •Younger patients waiting until bone growth is complete for implants
Unsure? Book a consultation and we'll give you a straight answer — including when a different treatment might serve you better.
Important considerations
While Maryland bridges offer a conservative approach, they are not suitable for every patient or every situation. They work well for front teeth where biting forces are lower, but may not be appropriate for back teeth. The bond can occasionally fail under heavy biting forces or in patients who grind their teeth.
Best for front teeth
Performs very well on incisors and canines where biting forces are lower. On back teeth the repeated chewing load can shear the bond.
Bond can fail under heavy load
Patients who grind or clench at night, or who have a heavy bite, are at higher risk of debonding. A nightguard often helps protect the bridge.
Anchor tooth must be healthy
We need an unrestored, structurally sound neighbouring tooth to bond to. Large existing fillings or crowns reduce the chance of long-term success.
Clinical assessment is essential
It is important to have a clinical assessment so your dentist can determine whether a Maryland bridge is the most appropriate option for you, or whether an alternative such as a traditional bridge or implant may be more suitable.
We'll talk through whether a Maryland bridge, traditional bridge or implant is the right fit at your consultation — no pressure to commit on the day.
Why London patients choose Adult Braces Clinic for maryland bridge
Regulated, experienced and transparent. Every appointment is delivered by a named GDC-registered dentist at our CQC-registered South Kensington clinic.
CQC-regulated clinic
Independent inspection, documented clinical governance and full indemnity — the same standards as any trusted London dental hospital.
GDC-registered dentists
Every dentist and hygienist holds a verifiable GDC number. You'll meet a named clinician who stays with you from first visit to final review.
£30 consultation
No obligation assessment with a written plan and clear pricing before any treatment begins.
0% finance available
0% finance via Tabeo Broker Ltd (FCA-authorised credit broker) — subject to status, terms apply. Representative example: £3,000 over 12 months at 0% APR = 12 × £250.
Members save ~50%
Our practice membership (from £20/month) gives you routine care plus up to 50% off restorative, cosmetic and hygiene treatments.
Same-week appointments
Evening and Saturday slots in South Kensington. Urgent cases seen the same day wherever possible.
Your treatment journey, step by step.
Consultation & assessment (≈ 30 mins)
We examine your teeth, take X-rays, and check the anchor tooth's health and bite forces across the gap to confirm a Maryland bridge is clinically suitable.
Minimal preparation (≈ 45 mins)
A small enamel preparation on the back of the anchor tooth (often no anaesthetic needed) followed by a precise digital scan.
Lab fabrication (1–2 weeks)
Custom zirconia or metal wing with a porcelain pontic, made in our UK lab and shade-matched to your surrounding teeth.
Bonding & fitting (≈ 45 mins)
The bridge is checked for fit, bite and appearance, then bonded securely with a high-strength adhesive and polished.
What patients say after treatment
Verified Google reviews from our London patients.
Reviews are streamed live from our verified Google Business profile. Treatment outcomes depend on individual clinical factors — individual results may vary.
Our clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under our registered provider, Medical and Dental Limited, and every clinician is registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). We operate under documented clinical governance and full indemnity. Provider ID: 1-20629579981.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about adult braces in London.
A Maryland bridge (also called a resin-bonded or adhesive bridge) is a type of dental bridge used to replace a missing tooth. It consists of a false tooth (pontic) attached to a thin metal or ceramic wing that is bonded to the back of an adjacent tooth, requiring little to no drilling of the anchor tooth.
Maryland bridges at our London clinic start at £1,030 (or from £515 for members on our £20/month plan). This reflects its more conservative preparation compared to a traditional 3-unit bridge. 0% finance and flexible payment plans are available subject to status.
Typically 7–12 years. The most common reason for replacement is the bond loosening over time — re-bonding is usually straightforward and relatively inexpensive.
They work best on front teeth where bite forces are lighter. On back teeth the repeated chewing load often causes the bond to fail earlier, so we generally recommend a traditional bridge or implant instead.
A traditional bridge requires the neighbouring teeth to be crowned (significant drilling) to support the false tooth. A Maryland bridge bonds a fine wing to the back of just one anchor tooth — much more conservative, but less suited to heavy bite forces. See the comparison table above for a side-by-side view.
Occasionally the bond can debond, particularly if the bite is heavy or the patient grinds at night. If it ever feels loose, contact us straight away — in most cases the bridge can be cleaned and re-bonded without needing to remake it.
The preparation is so minimal that local anaesthetic is often not needed at all. Most patients describe the appointment as comparable to a polish, with bonding generally well tolerated.
Brush twice daily as normal, floss carefully around the wing, and use a super-floss or interdental brush under the pontic. Avoid biting hard foods (nut shells, hard-crust bread) directly on the false tooth, and let us know early if you grind at night so we can make a guard.
The preparation is deliberately minimal — usually only enamel is touched on the back surface of the anchor tooth. If the bridge is ever removed, the anchor tooth can typically be returned to its original state, making this one of the most reversible bridge options.
Good candidates have a single missing front tooth, a healthy unrestored anchor tooth alongside the gap, and a light bite without heavy grinding. We'll confirm at your consultation after checking your bite, gum health and the anchor tooth's structure.
The two main alternatives are a traditional 3-unit bridge (best for back teeth or when the anchors already need crowns) and a dental implant (best long-term option, but requires surgery and 3–6 months of healing). For temporary replacement, a removable acrylic denture is the cheapest option.
Your clinical team for this treatment
GDC-registered dentists with decades of combined experience. Every patient has a named clinician from first consultation to final review.
Clinical DirectorDr. Yasha Y Shirazi
Principal Dentist & Clinical Director
University of Regensburg, Germany
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Shirazi leads our dental team with a passion for excellence and patient-centred care.
Dr. Kamran Yazdi
Dentist
DDS, MSc Conservative Dentistry (UCL), Dip Oral Dental Science (UCL)
Restorative and cosmetic dentistry with an MSc in Conservative Dentistry from UCL Eastman.
Dr. Andreia Phipps
Dentist
BDS (Br), ORE (UK), ADS Certificate in Cosmetic & Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry
A friendly and enthusiastic dentist with a passionate interest in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry.
Dr. Reza Davari
Dentist
London Gold Medal — Outstanding Achievement
Awarded the London Gold Medal for outstanding achievement. Known for exceptional attention to detail and a calm, gentle manner.
Is a Maryland bridge right for you?
Good candidates
- ✓Single missing front tooth (upper or lower)
- ✓Healthy, unrestored anchor tooth beside the gap
- ✓Young patients waiting for jaw growth to finish before implants
- ✓Cases where implant surgery isn't possible or affordable yet
- ✓Light bite on the anchor side (no heavy grinding)
Other options may be better
- !Back-tooth gaps — chewing force tends to debond the wing
- !Heavy grinders or clenchers
- !Anchor tooth already restored with a large filling
- !Very long spans needing multiple replacement teeth
Maryland bridge vs traditional bridge vs implant
All three replace a missing tooth, but the trade-offs in tooth preservation, surgery, time and cost are very different.
| Factor | Maryland bridge | Traditional bridge | Dental implant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth preparation | Minimal — back of anchor only | Significant — anchor teeth crowned | None on neighbouring teeth |
| Surgery required | No | No | Yes — implant placement |
| Treatment time | 2 visits over 2 weeks | 2–3 visits over 3 weeks | 3–6 months total |
| Typical lifespan | 7–12 years | 10–15 years | 20+ years |
| Starting price | From £1,030 | From £1,495 | From £2,950+ |
| Preserves natural tooth | Yes — reversible | No — anchor teeth reshaped | Yes — neighbours untouched |
| Best for | Single front tooth, light bite | Back teeth, heavier bite | Long-term, any position |
Prices are guide-only starting points. Your written plan after consultation will confirm the right option for your case.
See real maryland bridge transformations
Browse genuine before & after photographs from our London patients. All images are shown with consent and reflect individual clinical outcomes.
View Smile GalleryIndividual results may vary. Outcomes depend on clinical factors and cannot be guaranteed.
Maryland bridge aftercare
- No drilling = no numbness to wear off — eat normally straight away
- Avoid biting directly on the pontic for 48 hours
- Floss carefully around the wing; use a super-floss under the pontic
- Avoid very hard foods that could shear the bond (nut shells, hard-crust bread)
- If the bridge ever feels loose, call immediately — usually re-bondable
Spread the cost with 0% finance
Don't let cost delay essential care. We offer 0% interest-free finance on qualifying treatments, subject to status.
Interest-free, subject to status
Lower monthly payments (APR applies)
Finance is provided by a regulated third-party lender, subject to status and affordability checks. Full written terms provided before agreement.
Visit our restorative dentistry clinic in London
Our South Kensington clinic is a two-minute walk from the tube station, on the Piccadilly, Circle and District lines — easily reached from Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Kensington, Fulham, Earl's Court, Hammersmith, Westminster, Mayfair, Belgravia, Notting Hill and the rest of Central London.
South Kensington — Open 7 Days
- Mon, Wed9am–6pm
- Tue, Thu9am–8pm
- Fri8am–5pm
- Sat10am–4pm
- Sun10am–4pm
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Let's get you smiling again
Chat to a GDC-registered dentist at our South Kensington clinic. Honest advice, published prices, zero pressure — promise.
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