Fort Myers, FL · Se Habla Español
Custom-fitted, non-removable restorations that give you back the function and appearance of a natural, healthy tooth.
A cracked, decayed, or missing tooth does not have to mean living with discomfort or hiding your smile. Depending on what is going on with the tooth, the right fix is usually one of two well-established restorations rather than something experimental or invasive.
At Smiles of Fort Myers, we use dental crowns and bridges to restore damaged teeth and close the gaps left by missing ones for patients in Fort Myers, FL. Both are custom-fitted, non-removable, and designed to give you back the function and appearance of a natural, healthy tooth.
Dr. Victor Galvan and Dr. Claudia Orta bring more than a decade of combined dental and healthcare experience to patients in Fort Myers, FL. Dr. Galvan completed advanced training in implant dentistry through the AAID MaxiCourse and holds a Moderate Sedation Permit for patients who want extra comfort during treatment.

A crown, sometimes called a cap, fits over the surface of a natural tooth or a dental implant to restore its strength and shape. A bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth and is anchored in place by the natural teeth or crowns on either side of the empty space. Nearly 90 percent of adults ages 20 to 64 have had decay in their teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and crowns are one of the most common ways to protect a tooth once decay has progressed beyond what a filling can address.
The right restoration depends on whether the tooth is still there or already missing.
| Situation | Likely Restoration |
|---|---|
| Tooth is damaged or decayed but still intact | A crown fitted over the existing tooth |
| Tooth is missing, with teeth remaining on either side of the gap | A bridge anchored to the surrounding teeth |
| Tooth was lost and an implant was placed | A crown fitted onto the implant |
A consultation with our team is the clearest way to confirm which option fits your specific situation.
Have a damaged or missing tooth? Talk with our team about the right restoration.
Did you know? The Etruscan civilization is credited as one of the earliest cultures to restore damaged teeth with crowns, using materials like ivory, gold, and bone. Those materials remained the standard well into the 20th century, before porcelain crowns became the norm.

Today, crowns and bridges are customized specifically to your bite and can usually be placed in as little as one or two dental visits.
The affected tooth or teeth are reduced to ensure a proper fit.
We take an impression of your bite and match the color to your natural teeth.
If a dental lab is fabricating your restoration, you may wear a temporary in the meantime.
Your permanent crown or bridge is cemented into place and checked for fit.
Your teeth will need a few days to adjust following placement, so mild sensitivity to hot and cold, or soreness in the surrounding gums, is normal and usually manageable with ibuprofen.

Many patients put off restorative work because they feel anxious about dental visits. Smiles of Fort Myers offers IV sedation at our Fort Myers office, and Dr. Victor Galvan, who holds a Moderate Sedation Permit, can talk with you about whether it is a good fit for your health history. You can learn more on our sedation dentistry page.

The cost of a crown or bridge depends on the material you choose and how many teeth are involved, so a personal evaluation is the best way to get an accurate number. We accept most insurance plans, though coverage varies from plan to plan, and our team can check your benefits before treatment begins. If several teeth need attention at once, a coordinated plan such as full mouth reconstruction may be worth discussing.
We also offer 0% APR financing and our in-house Smile Program membership plan for patients without insurance. You can find more payment details on our financial information page.
Dr. Victor Galvan and Dr. Claudia Orta bring more than a decade of combined dental and healthcare experience to every consultation at our Fort Myers, FL office, and Dr. Galvan’s advanced training in implant dentistry and IV sedation gives anxious patients an added layer of comfort. We also offer 0% APR financing and our in-house Smile Program membership plan for patients without insurance, so cost does not have to stand between you and a complete smile.
If you are ready to talk through your options with our dentists, we would be glad to walk you through what crowns and bridges could look like for you. Contact our office to schedule your consultation.
We speak English and Spanish. Se habla español.
Completed a two-year postdoctoral residency at AEGD NYU Langone dental medicine, with advanced training in endodontics, oral rehabilitation, pain management, and infection control. Fluent in English and Spanish.
Earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Florida after a ten-year nursing career. Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology, with advanced training in implant dentistry and IV sedation. Fluent in English and Spanish.