What is a cantilever fixed bridge?

A cantilever bridge is dental fixed appliance that is anchored on only one side of a missing tooth. It can be utilized when there are not teeth available to support a bridge on both sides of a missing tooth. It is also sometimes used to replace a missing lateral incisor. The canine is prepared and a small two tooth bridge is attached to the prepared canine. Using the cantilever in this manner allows a dentist to avoid preparing the central incisor.

In general cantilever bridges are less desirable than implant supported restorations since the extra torque placed on the supporting teeth can damage them in the long run. It is not uncommon to see fractures of the abutment teeth supporting a posterior cantilever bridge. Also because of the flexing that these bridges experience, they are more prone to porcelain breakage. Cantilever posterior bridges require multiple prepared teeth to adequately support the bridge. Implant restorations do not involve the preparation of any natural teeth.