Dental Bridges: Porcelain and Porcelain-to-Metal

Up until quite recently, in order to do a bridge of more than 3 teeth (2 supporting teeth and 1 missing tooth), it was necessary to use a metal framework, or substructure, to support the porcelain and be strong enough to last for years.  Unless such bridges were made so the metal was well-masked by the porcelain, there was the risk of a dark grey line being visible by the gum, and this is particularly unattractive when it's visible in your smile. Certainly you've seen an ugly grey line on a front tooth crown or bridge like this before:

 

Fortunately, we now have a way to 100% avoid this!  It's called "Zirconia."  And while you're probalby not interested in all the technical, chemical, engineering details that would be necessary to explain Zirconia , what you really want to know is that it is UNBELIEVABLY strong, and just as importantly, it is completely white!  And by "strong," I mean that the framework is so hard that you could take a hammer to it and not break it.  The porcelain that is layered on top for beauty is also strong, but we don't recommend testing it with a hammer. 

An 8-Tooth Zirconia Dental Bridge as a Smile Makeover

Shelly had one of those old porcelain-to-metal bridges for years and was never happy with its look.  She needed some other work done, too, and she ultimately chose metal-free, all-porcelain dental bridges to replace her top front 4 missing teeth (2 teeth on each side hold it up), along with porcelain veneers on the lower front teeth, porcelain bridges on the lower back teeth both sides, and some all-porcelain crowns.

 

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Metal-Free, All-Porcelain Dental Bridges

This is what an all-ceramic bridge looks like - notice that it is completely metal-free!  While the gold alloys used for dental bridges are completely safe, it's easier for a dentist/artist and dental lab technician/artist to create that natural, life-life look of real teeth when no metal is underneath.

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