Modern crowns and bridges often use tooth colored metal ceramics like zirconia, which is incredibly strong, aesthetic, and very friendly to the surrounding gums. When not using zirconia, we often use tooth colored glass-ceramic materials which are very aesthetic but are not quite as strong or as friendly to the gums as zirconia.
Historically crowns and bridges were made of metal, and then a porcelain fused to metal to make it look more aesthetic. These materials do still have a place in Dentistry, but they are being used less commonly.
Looking to the future, these 3D printed hybrid materials will be increasingly used in dentistry, but until the technology better refined, we will be continuing to use the modern materials that are very well researched, with great long term track records for our patients.