In brief: Most people having All-on-4 or All-on-6 treatment first wear a fixed acrylic bridge while the implants heal, then move to a final bridge. The main final options are hybrid acrylic on a titanium frame, porcelain fused to metal (PFM) and monolithic zirconia, which differ in strength, appearance, weight, repairability and upkeep.
Interim and Final Bridges
In an All-on-X treatment, a full arch of teeth is fixed onto four to six (sometimes more) implants. When the implants are stable enough for immediate loading, a temporary fixed bridge is usually screwed in within days of surgery, so you do not leave without teeth.
Many clinics use an acrylic interim bridge, which is light and easy to adjust. At Dazzle the interim bridge is a PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) temporary bridge, preferred for longevity and aesthetics. It is worn for roughly 3 to 6 months while the implants integrate with the bone. A new scan or impression is then taken and the final bridge is made. Our article on immediate loading for All-on-4 and All-on-6 explains the first stage.
Hybrid Acrylic on a Titanium Frame
A hybrid bridge has acrylic or composite teeth and pink gum fixed to a strong metal framework, usually a CAD/CAM-milled titanium bar. It is the long-standing standard for final All-on-4 bridges.
- Pros: lighter than ceramic, cushions bite forces slightly, looks natural with pink acrylic gum, and is the easiest final option to repair (a chipped or worn tooth can be replaced in the lab).
- Cons: acrylic wears, stains and absorbs odours over time, and teeth can debond or chip, especially in people who grind.
- Maintenance: expect periodic repairs, and often new teeth processed onto the same frame after several years of use.
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM)
A PFM bridge has porcelain baked onto a cast or milled metal framework. It has a long history on crowns and short bridges.
- Pros: porcelain resists staining and wear better than acrylic and can look very natural.
- Cons: on a full arch it is heavy, and the porcelain can chip under strong bite forces. Repairs inside the mouth are limited, and a large chip may mean remaking the bridge. A grey line can show at the gum if the metal edge becomes visible.
- Maintenance: regular checks of the porcelain and a night guard if you grind.
Because of the weight and chipping risk, PFM is used less often for full arches today than hybrid or zirconia bridges.
Monolithic Zirconia
A monolithic zirconia bridge is milled from a single block of zirconia, with the teeth and gum area shaded and glazed. There is no separate layer of porcelain to chip off.
- Pros: very strong, highly resistant to wear and staining, smooth and easy to keep clean, and metal-free at the surface.
- Cons: higher cost, a harder bite feel, and less translucency than layered porcelain in the most visible front teeth. If it does fracture, it usually has to be remade rather than repaired.
- Maintenance: little wear-related repair, but it still needs regular removal and cleaning by the dentist, and a night guard for grinders.
Some labs add a thin layer of porcelain to the front teeth only, to improve appearance where it shows. This looks better but brings back some chipping risk in those areas. Read more about the material in our zirconia guide.
Comparing the Options
- Strength and wear: zirconia highest, PFM good, hybrid acrylic lowest.
- Ease of repair: hybrid acrylic easiest, PFM and zirconia harder.
- Weight: hybrid acrylic lightest, PFM heaviest.
- Staining: zirconia and porcelain resist it; acrylic stains over time.
- Upfront cost: hybrid acrylic usually lowest, zirconia usually highest.
The right choice depends on bite force, grinding habits, the space available between the jaws, the opposing teeth, appearance goals and budget. Full-arch treatment at Dazzle starts from ₹3,00,000 per arch for All-on-4; see our fees page for current costs.
Caring for Any Full-Arch Bridge
Food and plaque collect under a fixed bridge, so daily cleaning matters as much as the material. Use a soft brush, a water flosser and floss threaders or interdental brushes under the bridge every day.
Your dentist will usually remove the bridge at intervals to clean it, check the screws and examine the gum and implants. Grinders should wear a night guard. Our All-on-4 maintenance guide covers the routine in more detail.
Final bridges at Dazzle are designed digitally and milled in our in-house lab. See the All-on-4 treatment page for how the full process works.
Want help choosing the right final bridge? Book a Consult at our Bandra West or Kemps Corner clinic.
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