---
title: "What Is Cantilever bridge? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A cantilever bridge holds a false tooth by attaching it to a natural tooth on only one side of the gap."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/cantilever-bridge
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Dentures and Bridges

# Cantilever bridge

A cantilever bridge holds a false tooth by attaching it to a natural tooth on only one side of the gap.

Most bridges are anchored at both ends. A cantilever bridge is anchored at one end. The false tooth, called a [pontic](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pontic), extends out from a crown on a single [abutment tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/abutment-tooth). Cleveland Clinic says a cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, except that the artificial tooth hangs over or extends across the gap when the bridge is bonded onto one abutment tooth. It can be used when there is a healthy tooth on only one side of the gap. Because the force falls on a single tooth, a cantilever is usually limited to places with light bite force, and the supporting tooth must be strong. Your dentist will talk with you about your options. See [dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-bridge) and our [dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bridge) page.

[Town Center Dental can helpDental Bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bridge)

## Related terms

-   [Pontic](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pontic)
-   [Abutment tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/abutment-tooth)
-   [Dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-bridge)
-   [Maryland bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/maryland-bridge)
-   [Dental crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-crown)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Dental Bridges: Types & Who Needs Them](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10921-dental-bridges)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)