Who full-mouth implants suit
Full-arch implants are for people who have lost all their teeth in one jaw, or whose remaining teeth are too loose or broken to keep. Very often the starting point is a denture problem: a lower denture that floats, an upper one that needs adhesive every morning, or not being able to chew properly any more.
They suit you best if you want teeth that stay in, you are willing to have surgery, and you can commit to cleaning around a fixed bridge every day. They are a harder choice if your health makes surgery risky, if you smoke heavily, or if keeping a fixed bridge clean would be difficult for you. In that case an implant overdenture is often the better answer.
Your options for a full arch
| Option | Implants per jaw | Removable? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implant overdenture | 2–4 | Yes, you clip it out to clean | Fewer implants, lower cost, easier to clean and repair |
| All-on-4 fixed bridge | 4 | No | Works with less bone at the back because the rear implants are angled |
| All-on-6 fixed bridge | 6 | No | Spreads the load; useful where bone allows and the bite is strong |
| Conventional complete denture | 0 | Yes | No surgery; least stable, especially in the lower jaw |
“Hybrid denture” and “fixed full-arch bridge” usually mean the same thing: a full set of teeth on a frame, screwed to implants. Our hybrid dentures page covers the materials in more detail.
What treatment involves
- Consultation, scan and records. A CBCT scan shows the bone in 3D. We also look at your bite, your lip and smile line, and how your face is supported, because a full arch changes more than just the teeth. You get a written plan with fixed and removable options priced side by side.
- Planning your teeth before your implants. Dr. Adish is a prosthodontist, so he designs where the teeth should sit first and then plans the implants to support them. This is what makes the final teeth look natural and lets you clean under them.
- Surgery day. Any remaining teeth that can’t be kept are removed, and the implants are placed under local anaesthetic in the same appointment. For one jaw this usually takes two to three hours.
- Temporary teeth. If the implants are firm enough, a fixed temporary bridge is attached within a few days. You keep to soft food for the first six to eight weeks while the bone heals.
- Final teeth. After about three to six months, we take new impressions, try the teeth in, check speech and appearance with you, and fit the final bridge.
Recovery and getting used to your new teeth
The first week is the hardest: swelling, bruising and a soft diet. Most people take two or three days off work. Speech can feel odd for a week or two while your tongue adjusts.
Cleaning is what decides how long the implants last. We show you how to clean under the bridge with a water flosser and special floss or brushes, and we see you regularly. At least once a year we unscrew the bridge for a professional clean and to check the screws and implants.
What affects the cost
Full-arch treatment is usually quoted per jaw. The main things that change it are:
- the number of implants (four or six) and the implant system
- whether you need extractions or bone grafting
- the temporary teeth, and the material of the final teeth (acrylic on a metal frame, or zirconia)
- whether you are treating one jaw or both
You receive one itemised, written estimate covering everything from the scan to the final teeth and the first review, so there are no surprise stages. See the implant cost guide for how to compare quotes.
Risks and limits to understand first
- Surgery risks: swelling, bruising, infection and, less often, numbness from the nerve in the lower jaw or problems with the sinus in the upper jaw. The scan is how we plan around these.
- An implant that doesn’t integrate. With four or six implants the plan can usually continue, but the implant may need replacing.
- Wear and breakages. Acrylic teeth wear and can chip; a fixed bridge can loosen at a screw. These are repairable but are part of the long-term cost.
- Gum inflammation around the implants if cleaning is difficult. This is the most common long-term problem and the most preventable.
If you aren’t ready for surgery, a well-made complete denture is a sound starting point, and it can often be converted to an implant overdenture later.
Questions patients ask us
What is the difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6?
Both hold a fixed, full arch of teeth. All-on-4 uses four implants, with the back two angled to avoid the sinus or the nerve, so it often works where bone is limited at the back. All-on-6 spreads the bite over six implants, which can help in a strong bite or where bone allows. The choice comes from your scan, not from a preference for one name.
Will I leave the clinic with teeth?
In many cases a fixed temporary bridge is attached within a few days of surgery, so you are never without teeth. This depends on how firmly the implants hold when they are placed. If they aren't stable enough, you wear a temporary denture while they heal, and we tell you this before surgery if it is likely.
How long does full-mouth implant treatment take?
From the first scan to the final teeth, usually three to six months per jaw. Extractions and implants are often done in the same appointment. If you need bone grafting first, our implantologist does it at the clinic, and it adds a few months.
Are full-mouth implants painful?
Surgery is done under local anaesthetic. Expect swelling and soreness for several days afterwards. It is more than with a single implant, because more of the mouth is involved. Most people manage with prescribed painkillers and a soft diet for the first week or two.
How long do full-arch implant teeth last?
The implants themselves can last for decades with good care. The teeth on top wear with use; acrylic teeth often need replacing after several years, while zirconia or ceramic teeth last longer but cost more and can chip. Regular reviews let us catch wear early.
Can I take the teeth out?
Not a fixed bridge. It is screwed to the implants and only we remove it, at review appointments, for a thorough clean. If you would prefer teeth you can take out, an implant overdenture is the removable alternative, and it needs fewer implants.
Is there an age limit?
No. Health, bone and the ability to keep the teeth clean matter much more than age. Plenty of people have full-arch implants in their seventies and eighties.
Sources
ADA MouthHealthy: dental implants ↗Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS: dental implants patient information ↗ADA MouthHealthy: dentures ↗Last updated 14 October 2026. This page explains options in general terms; your own plan comes from an examination.