While crowns can be made of pure porcelain, porcelain isn't strong enough to serve as a bridge unless it is in a very low-stress situation. It is brittle and will break under normal chewing forces when used for a bridge.

Some patients have a metal sensitivity. If that's you, metal can now be avoided with a new technology using a very strong ceramic called zirconia. Zirconia has so much tensile strength that it has earned the nickname ceramic steel, and it has enough strength to withstand chewing forces. In addition to its application in dental treatments and joint replacements, it is used in aerospace and other high-tech industries. Zirconia is translucent and, while it isn't as aesthetic as pure porcelain, on the back teeth it is difficult to tell from natural tooth structure.