Would a porcelain bridge look natural without any metal showing?
Yes. If you are an appropriate candidate, a porcelain bridge can look as natural as your own teeth (or in many cases better), in color and shape, in proportion and alignment, without the appearance of any clasps or metal. Some bridges are designed with a metal support structure or a metal lining, covered with porcelain, called porcelain fused to metal (PFM). At one point in time, most restorations were made this way. When placed, they usually can often look opaque or “flat” because they do not let light pass through like a natural tooth. There can also be a tell-tail dark band showing through the teeth or showing next to the gum-line that is undesirable (often the darkness invades the adjacent gum tissue as an adverse reaction). All porcelain bridge restorations are what we prefer to use unless there is a compelling reason otherwise. Again, when properly seated, they are virtually as strong as, or stronger than, their metal predecessor. Click here for detailed information and video.
