What Are Full Mouth Dental Implants? Cost, Procedure, Pros
- Sadiq Quasim
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Full mouth dental implants replace every tooth in the upper or lower jaw by anchoring a fixed bridge to four–six titanium posts. In the UK, each jaw costs roughly £4,000–£15,000, depending on system and surgeon. People choose this solution because it feels and functions like natural teeth, eliminates wobbling dentures, and can deliver a complete smile in just one day.
In the guide below we break down popular configurations such as All-on-4 and All-on-6, walk you through the treatment timeline from consultation to final bridge, and compare real-world prices, benefits and drawbacks. You'll also find a simple candidacy checklist and straight-talking advice on finance and aftercare so you can choose with confidence.
Understanding Full Mouth Dental Implants
When dentists talk about “full mouth” or “full arch” implants they mean replacing every tooth in one jaw with a single, screw-retained bridge supported by four to six titanium fixtures. Systems such as All-on-4, Same-Day Teeth and Smile-in-a-Day all follow this principle; the names simply describe implant numbers or the speed at which a provisional bridge is fitted. Unlike placing 14 individual implants, the posts are angled to make best use of the existing bone, so grafting is often avoided and treatment time shortened.
How They Differ From Traditional Dentures
Permanently fixed – no daily removal or adhesives
Chewing force close to natural teeth, so steak and apples are back on the menu
Slimline bridge covers no palate, improving taste and speech
Stimulates the jawbone, helping to prevent resorption Maintenance is similar to real teeth: brush, floss and attend hygiene visits, rather than soaking plates overnight.
Implant-Supported Overdentures vs Fixed Bridges
An overdenture clips on to two–four implants and can be removed by the patient. It costs less but moves slightly during function.
Feature | Overdenture | Fixed full-arch bridge |
|---|---|---|
Typical cost (per jaw) | £6k–£9k | £12k–£18k |
Stability | Moderate | High |
Daily removal | Yes | No |
Cleaning ease | Simple off-mouth | In-mouth techniques |
Repairs | Cheaper | More complex |
Materials and Technology Used Today
Leading brands such as Straumann and Nobel Biocare supply the fixtures, while bridges can be milled from high-strength acrylic, zirconia or porcelain-fused-metal. Digital CBCT scans, 3-D planning software and guided surgical templates now allow micron-level accuracy, shorter chair-time and predictable aesthetic results.
Popular Treatment Options Explained
Full-arch treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all; dentists choose from several implant configurations to match bone quality, speed requirements and budget. Below is a whistle-stop tour of the options you’re most likely to be offered.
All-on-4 and All-on-6
Four or six posts are placed, with rear implants angled to avoid sinus or nerves, often sidestepping bone grafts. A temporary bridge is fitted immediately, with the definitive version 3–6 months later.
Zygomatic and Pterygoid Implants
With extreme upper-jaw bone loss, extra-long implants anchor in the cheek (zygoma) or pterygoid plate. This specialist surgery costs more (from £20k per arch) and is normally performed under sedation.
Same-Day / Immediate-Load Systems
If initial torque exceeds 35 N cm and gum health is good, implants can be “loaded” straight away. Patients leave with fixed teeth, but must stick to a soft diet for six-eight weeks.
Conventional Two-Stage Full Arch Implants
Where bone grafting, medical issues or smoker status rule out immediate loading, the classic two-stage route is safer. Implants heal beneath the gum for 3–6 months before the bridge is screwed on.
The Treatment Journey: Timeline and Procedure
Replacing a full arch is not a single appointment fix. Most patients move through six predictable stages spanning three to eight months, although same-day systems shorten the gap between surgery and a confident smile. The overview below shows what happens and when.
Stage | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
Consultation | Week 0 | CBCT/iTero scan, oral exam, quote |
Planning | Week 1–2 | 3-D guide design, bridge shade selection |
Surgery | Week 3–4 | Extractions (if needed) and implant placement |
Provisional bridge | Same day / 24 h | Fixed acrylic teeth fitted, soft-diet starts |
Healing | Month 1–4 | Osseointegration checks, hygiene visits |
Final bridge | Month 3–8 | Zirconia/porcelain bridge screwed in, bite fine-tuned |
1. Consultation and 3-D Assessment
Your dentist reviews medical history, photographs your bite and takes a low-dose CBCT scan to measure bone. Ask about experience, implant brand and after-hours support before signing anything.
2. Pre-Surgery Preparation
Expect advice on quitting smoking, stabilising diabetes and starting a chlorhexidine rinse. Prophylactic antibiotics and a soft-food shopping list are often provided.
3. Surgery Day: Placing the Implants
Under local anaesthetic with optional IV sedation, failing teeth are removed, the jaw trimmed, and 4–6 implants inserted at 35–45 N cm torque. Discomfort is usually mild once anaesthetic wears off.
4. Immediate Provisional Bridge Fitting
A prefabricated acrylic bridge is screwed on before you leave. Stick to fork-soft foods for six to eight weeks to protect the new fixtures.
5. Healing Phase (Osseointegration)
Bone knits to the titanium surface, locking implants solidly in place. Attend review visits; call immediately if you spot swelling, pus or bridge movement.
6. Final Restoration Appointment
The temporary is swapped for a custom-milled zirconia or porcelain bridge. Bite, speech and shade are checked, and you’ll receive a night-guard plus written cleaning instructions.
UK Pricing Breakdown and Payment Options
Costs vary with implant numbers, materials and clinic overheads, but the ball-park figures below cover the vast majority of UK full-arch cases.
Treatment option | Typical cost per jaw | Typical cost both jaws |
|---|---|---|
All-on-4 fixed bridge | £12,000 – £15,000 | £22,000 – £28,000 |
All-on-6 fixed bridge | £14,000 – £18,000 | £26,000 – £34,000 |
Zygomatic / pterygoid | £20,000 + | £38,000 + |
Implant-supported overdenture | £6,000 – £9,000 | £11,000 – £16,000 |
Prices rise with premium brands (Straumann, Nobel Biocare), IV sedation, laboratory grade (acrylic vs monolithic zirconia), bone grafting and the surgeon’s experience. Most private clinics, including ours, spread the bite through 0 % finance over 12–18 months, longer-term credit, or staged payments aligned with each treatment phase. Routine dental insurance rarely covers implants, and NHS funding is limited to exceptional reconstructive cases, with lengthy waiting lists.
Comparing UK Prices With Abroad
Hungary, Turkey and Spain often advertise full arches from £7,000, but add flights, hotels, time off work and potential revision visits and the saving shrinks. UK treatment offers stronger consumer protection, easier follow-up care and no language barrier—important if problems arise two years down the line.
How to Read a Quote and Avoid Hidden Fees
Insist on an itemised estimate listing scans, extractions, provisional bridge, final bridge, reviews and any maintenance kit. Red flags include “from” pricing without a CBCT scan, charges for emergency appointments, or warranties shorter than five years on the bridge screws and framework.
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Long-Term Outlook
Choosing full mouth dental implants is a sizeable investment, so it helps to weigh the day-to-day upsides against the surgical effort, cost and future maintenance. The quick reference points below distil what patients in our clinic most often report once the dust has settled and the bridge has bedded in.
Key Benefits
Bite strength of 200 – 300 N, letting you crunch apples and steaks again
Fixed in place – zero rocking, adhesives or overnight soaking
No acrylic palate, so speech sounds natural and food tastes unmasked
Titanium posts keep the jawbone loaded, slowing age-related shrinkage
Longevity: implants can last decades and bridges 10–15 years with proper hygiene
Potential Drawbacks and Risks
Higher upfront spend than dentures or overdentures
Minor surgical risks: infection (≈2 %), nerve or sinus irritation, bruising
Bridge may need refurbishing as gum levels change over time
Strict cleaning regime essential; poor care can lead to peri-implantitis and failure
Are Full Mouth Implants Worth It?
For most suitable patients the quality-of-life pay-off outweighs the cons. Being able to laugh without a plate lifting, enjoy chewy food and forget you even have false teeth often justifies the price over the 10-plus years the restoration is expected to serve.
Recovery, Maintenance, and Lifespan
Recovery is usually straightforward, but the first weeks demand extra care so the implants knit to bone and the gums settle.
Pain Management and Healing Tips
Expect swelling for 48 h and ache up to five days. Use cold packs, take ibuprofen or paracetamol, sleep propped up. Contact the clinic if pain worsens or bleeding continues.
Oral Hygiene Routine
Start brushing from day two with a soft brush; angle bristles under the bridge and finish with a water flosser. Hygienist checks every three months keep plaque away.
Dietary Guidelines During Recovery
Liquids and fork-soft foods only for two weeks—soups, yoghurt, mashed potato. Weeks three-eight add pasta, omelettes, fish, then slowly return to normal chewing.
Long-Term Care to Maximise Implant Lifespan
Avoid smoking; wear a night-guard if you clench; book annual X-rays and six-monthly screw-tightening checks. With this regimen implants can last decades and the bridge 10–15 years before refresh.
Candidate Checklist: Are Full Mouth Implants Right for You?
Not everyone needs, wants, or can safely tolerate a fixed full-arch bridge. The ideal candidate enjoys good general health, has healthy gums, enough jawbone (or is happy to undergo grafting), and is prepared to quit smoking and brush like a pro. Certain medical conditions can make surgery risky or healing unpredictable, so it pays to run through the quick self-test below before booking a consultation.
Item to consider | ✓ / ✗ |
|---|---|
I have stable blood sugar and no recent heart issues | |
I don’t take long-term bisphosphonate or steroid medication | |
A 0 % finance payment fits my budget | |
My dentist says I have adequate bone – or I’m open to grafting | |
I can commit to meticulous daily cleaning and 3–6-monthly hygiene visits | |
I’m willing to stop smoking (or I don’t smoke) |
A single ✗ doesn’t always rule you out, but more than two likely means you’ll need an alternative or additional preparatory treatments.
Alternatives If You’re Not a Candidate
Implant-retained overdentures (clip-on, removable)
Conventional full or partial dentures
Single or multiple implants placed over time
Staged extractions with bone grafting to build future implant support
Quick Answers to Common Patient Questions
Below are snappy answers to the questions we hear from patients every single week at consultations.
How Much Do Full Mouth Implants Cost in the UK?
Expect £12k–£15k per arch for a fixed bridge; lab fees and sedation extra; see Pricing section for detail.
Can the Entire Mouth Really Be Done at Once?
Yes, immediate-load systems fit provisional bridges the same day; complex cases may need staging.
How Painful Is the Procedure?
With local anaesthetic and optional sedation, surgery is painless; mild swelling and soreness follow.
How Long Do Full Mouth Implants Last?
Implants can serve decades; bridges usually refresh after 10–15 years if hygiene is excellent.
Are They Available on the NHS?
Only for exceptional reconstructive needs, such as cancer defects; most patients fund treatment privately.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
Full mouth dental implants give you a fixed, natural-looking smile by attaching a single bridge to four–six titanium posts.
Typical UK investment sits between £12,000 and £15,000 per jaw, with finance plans softening the blow.
Treatment spans consultation, surgery, healing and final bridge; same-day options can shorten the visible gap.
Big wins include solid chewing power, bone preservation and ditching messy denture adhesive; risks revolve around surgery, hygiene discipline and future bridge refresh.
You’re a strong candidate when general health, bone density and budget align—and you’re willing to keep your implants spotless.
Still weighing things up? A face-to-face chat is the quickest way to get personalised answers, a 3-D scan and an itemised quote. Book your complimentary implant consultation at Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics and start the journey to teeth you can trust.
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