Abstract: A dental appliance includes a lingual section adapted to engage at least one abutment tooth. A first tissue replacement portion extends from one end portion of the lingual section. A second tissue replacement portion extends from another end portion of the lingual section. A buccal or labial gate is adapted to engage the at least one abutment tooth. A hinge is partially formed by an end portion of the gate. A latch may be disposed at another end portion of the gate. The end portion of the gate is comprised of a tissue replacement material. The dental appliance is made by forming the hinge portion and/or the latch portion of the gate as well as corresponding hinge and gate recesses in the tissue replacement portions by application of curable tissue replacement material into exposed regions within investment material or by application of secondary curable material to formed components of cured tissue replacement material to selectively bond to certain portions of the tissue replacement portions.