Dental Bridges in Naples, FL
Live with a Complete Smile Again
There are many people who are missing at least one tooth, and those gaps affect more than just appearance. Missing teeth change your bite alignment, shift adjacent teeth out of position, and make chewing certain foods difficult. The longer a gap remains, the more your oral health deteriorates as surrounding teeth move and jawbone weakens.
At Advanced Prosthodontics and Implants Esthetics, Dr. Randold Binns and Dr. Aquino create custom dental bridges for Naples patients who need reliable tooth replacement. Our practice has served Southwest Florida for 40 years with prosthodontic care designed to restore both function and appearance. We provide treatment in English and Spanish throughout the Naples community.
Why Choose Advanced Prosthodontics & Implant Esthetics for Dental Bridges?
- Led by Two Accomplished Prosthodontists
- Dental Implant Bridges Available
- In-House Master Dental Ceramist
How Dental Bridges Work
A dental bridge literally bridges the gap left by missing teeth. The restoration uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors. We place crowns on these anchor teeth, with one or more artificial teeth suspended between them. The entire piece bonds together as a single unit, permanently restoring the gap. Unlike removable partial dentures, bridges stay fixed in place and you care for them just like your natural teeth through regular brushing and flossing.
Leaving gaps in your smile creates problems beyond appearance. Within the first three months of tooth loss, you can lose up to 25% of the bone in that area. This bone loss accelerates over time, changing your facial structure and making future tooth replacement more difficult. Adjacent teeth begin shifting toward the gap, tilting and rotating out of their proper positions. Opposing teeth may erupt further from the jaw, seeking contact they no longer have. These movements affect your entire bite, potentially causing jaw pain, uneven wear on remaining teeth, and difficulty chewing.
Types of Bridge Restorations
We provide several bridge options to match your specific situation and needs:
- Traditional bridges use crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap, supporting the artificial teeth between them. This approach works well when you have healthy natural teeth on both sides of the missing tooth and remains the most common type.
- Cantilever bridges attach to teeth on only one side of the gap. We use this design when only one adjacent tooth is available or suitable for crown placement, requiring careful planning to ensure the restoration withstands normal chewing forces.
- Implant-supported bridges use dental implants rather than natural teeth as anchors. When you’re missing several teeth in a row, placing an implant at each end of the gap bridges the space without involving natural teeth, preserving healthy tooth structure and providing the strongest foundation.
Modern bridges use materials selected for both strength and appearance. Porcelain provides the most natural look and works particularly well for front teeth. Porcelain fused to metal combines good appearance with added strength. All-ceramic bridges offer both durability and beauty without any metal. We select materials based on where the bridge will be placed, the forces it will experience during chewing, and your preferences regarding appearance.
Prosthodontic Approach to Bridge Design
Our three years of training beyond dental school focused on tooth replacement and restoration. This education shapes how we plan bridge treatment, select materials, and design restorations for long-term success. We evaluate bite forces, jaw movement, tooth position, and how surrounding teeth will interact with the bridge.
These biomechanical considerations determine the bridge design, the materials we select, and how we prepare the anchor teeth. Proper planning helps ensure your bridge functions well and lasts for many years. Dr. Binns is known throughout Southwest Florida for creating restorations with both technical precision and natural appearance. Every bridge we design aims to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth while providing reliable function.
The Bridge Process and Care
Creating a bridge typically requires two appointments. At your first visit, we prepare the anchor teeth by reshaping them to receive crowns and take detailed impressions of the prepared teeth and the gap. You’ll wear a temporary bridge between appointments to protect the prepared teeth and maintain normal function. Once your permanent bridge is ready, you return for placement where we check the fit carefully, adjust the bite as needed, and permanently cement the bridge in place.
Bridges require the same care as natural teeth through regular brushing and flossing, paying special attention to where the bridge meets your gums. Special floss threaders help clean beneath the artificial teeth where regular floss won’t reach. With proper care, bridges typically last 10 to 15 years or longer. Regular dental visits allow us to monitor the bridge and surrounding teeth, addressing any concerns before they become problems.
Making Bridge Treatment Accessible
Quality dental bridges represent an investment in your oral health, but our practice works to make prosthodontic care accessible to Naples-area patients. We partner with three healthcare financing companies offering flexible payment solutions. CareCredit provides six months of interest-free financing for qualified patients. Cherry offers competitive rates with approval for many patients. Proceed handles treatment plans with financing up to $70,000.
We operate as a fee-for-service practice, selecting materials and techniques based on what works best rather than insurance restrictions. However, we understand many patients carry dental insurance. We process benefits on behalf of all PPO providers and file claims to help you receive maximum coverage. Most PPO plans provide out-of-network benefits, and we’ll work with you to understand your coverage.
Financing Your Dental Implant Investment
At Advanced Prosthodontics & Implant Esthetics, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality dental care. We offer flexible payment plan options to make dental implants more accessible for our Naples patients, with monthly payments for single tooth implants starting at just $150 per month. We work with multiple financing partners to provide interest-free payment plans for qualified patients, and our team will help you explore all available options and create a payment solution that fits comfortably within your budget.
Note that pricing varies based on individual case complexity, treatment needs, and your unique oral health situation. A comprehensive in-person consultation and examination are required to provide an accurate, personalized treatment plan and quote. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your specific needs and provide transparent pricing information tailored to your case.
Schedule Your Bridge Consultation with Advanced Prosthodontics and Implants Esthetics
Missing teeth create problems that worsen over time. The sooner you address tooth loss, the better your options for replacement. If you have gaps in your smile or failing teeth, our Naples practice combines prosthodontic training with genuine patient care.
Contact us to schedule your consultation and learn how a custom bridge can restore your smile’s function and appearance.