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Full-arch bridge and denture materials

Full-arch implant teeth are made of acrylic resin on a metal frame, metal-ceramic, or zirconia. Provisional (temporary) full-arch teeth in the All-on-4 consensus are acrylic.

Fixed full-arch bridges

A fixed full-arch bridge replaces all teeth in one jaw and is attached to implants.5 The research covers three main material groups.

  • Acrylic on a metal frame. Studied in older series as gold-acrylic bridges.1
  • Metal-ceramic. Porcelain on a metal frame.1
  • Zirconia. One piece of zirconia, either monolithic or with porcelain added.2

Results by material

MaterialResult
Metal-ceramic implant bridges93.9 percent survival at 10 years1
All implant bridges, including older gold-acrylic80.1 percent survival at 10 years1
One-piece zirconia full-arch bridges1.4 percent failure, short term2

In the zirconia review, 285 full-arch bridges in 223 patients were studied.2 Minor complications occurred in 14.7 percent, nearly all chipping of the porcelain layer.2 The authors noted that monolithic zirconia with only gum-colored stain may reduce chipping but needs long-term study.2

Wear and repair over time

A systematic review of fixed full-arch implant bridges followed for at least 5 years found complications build up with time.3 Chipping or fracture of the veneering material was the most common technical complication: 33.3 percent at 5 years and 66.6 percent at 10 years.3 The authors stated that these events often do not cause bridge failure but require repair time and cost.3

Provisional (temporary) teeth

When teeth are attached on the day of surgery, a provisional bridge is worn during healing.4 The All-on-4 consensus (2017) states the provisional must be rigid, non-flexible and strong enough not to fracture.4 Fracture of provisional acrylic bridges was the most common prosthetic complication in that consensus.4

Removable dentures

The ACP describes denture teeth as plastic or resin, with pink plastic replacing gum tissue.6

General information about dental implants. Treatment decisions are made with a licensed dentist.

Sources

  1. Pjetursson BE et al. Survival and complication rates of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses after at least 5 years. Clin Oral Implants Res 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Bidra AS et al. Full-arch fixed implant-supported zirconia prostheses: systematic review. Eur J Oral Implantol 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Papaspyridakos P et al. Complications with fixed implant rehabilitations for edentulous patients. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Penarrocha-Diago M et al. Consensus statements on All-On-4 standard treatment. J Clin Exp Dent 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. American Academy of Periodontology: Full Mouth Dental Implants. perio.org
  6. American College of Prosthodontists (GoToAPro): Dentures. gotoapro.org

Evidence

Sourced facts

Each line links to the study or the specialty body it comes from.

  1. The ACP describes a removable partial denture as a metal framework with pink plastic replacing gum tissue and plastic or resin denture teeth.

    American College of Prosthodontists (GoToAPro): Dentures · checked October 2, 2026

  2. A systematic review of 285 one-piece zirconia full-arch implant bridges reported a 1.4 percent failure rate and minor complications in 14.7 percent, mainly chipping of veneered porcelain.

    Bidra AS et al. Full-arch fixed implant-supported zirconia prostheses: systematic review. Eur J Oral Implantol 2017 · checked October 2, 2026

  3. A systematic review of fixed full-arch implant prostheses reported chipping or fracture of veneering material as the most common technical complication: 33.3 percent at 5 years and 66.6 percent at 10 years.

    Papaspyridakos P et al. Complications with fixed implant rehabilitations for edentulous patients: systematic review. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2012 · checked October 2, 2026

  4. The All-on-4 consensus (2017) states the provisional prosthesis should be rigid and strong enough not to fracture, and that fractures of provisional acrylic prostheses are the most common prosthetic complication.

    Penarrocha-Diago M et al. Consensus statements on All-On-4 standard treatment. J Clin Exp Dent 2017 · checked October 2, 2026

  5. Implant-supported fixed bridges in metal-ceramic had 93.9 percent survival at 10 years; including older gold-acrylic designs, overall bridge survival was 80.1 percent at 10 years.

    Pjetursson BE et al. Survival and complication rates of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses after at least 5 years: systematic review (EAO). Clin Oral Implants Res 2012 · checked October 2, 2026

  6. The AAP describes full-mouth implant restorations as full bridges or full dentures attached to abutments.

    American Academy of Periodontology: Full Mouth Dental Implants · checked October 2, 2026

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Dr. Michael Pawlus
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Dr. Michael Pawlus

Periodontist · Sarasota

ICOI Fellow, ICOI Diplomate · AAP member

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Featured doctorDr. Michael Pawlus · Sarasota