Losing most or all of your teeth changes far more than just your smile. Eating, speaking, and feeling confident in everyday situations all shift. A full set of dental implants offers a fixed, long-term solution, but for most people, the first and most pressing question is how much it actually costs. At Fitzroy Dental Practice in Fitzrovia, London, we believe that understanding the investment clearly is the starting point for any honest conversation about full-arch treatment.
What does a full set of dental implants actually mean?
A full-arch dental implant restoration replaces every tooth in either the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both. Rather than placing an individual implant for each missing tooth, your dental surgeon uses a smaller number of strategically positioned titanium posts to anchor a complete fixed prosthesis.
The two most established approaches are All-on-4, which uses four implants per arch, and All-on-6, which uses six. Both allow a full arch of teeth to be permanently secured so the result looks, feels, and functions far closer to natural teeth than conventional dentures can manage.
How is a full-arch implant different from individual implants for every tooth?
Placing a separate implant for each missing tooth across a full arch would typically require fourteen to sixteen implants, a lengthy, expensive process that many patients are not suitable for due to bone loss. Full-arch treatment uses angled or strategically distributed implants to maximise contact with available bone, often without the need for extensive bone grafting.
This makes full-arch treatment more accessible, faster to complete, and more cost-effective per tooth than individual implants across an entire jaw. For patients considering how to get new teeth after significant tooth loss, it is typically the most practical fixed option.
How much does a full set of dental implants cost in the UK?
Full-arch dental implant costs vary considerably depending on the number of implants used, the materials chosen for the prosthesis, whether any preparatory treatment is needed, and the practice you attend. As a general guide for private treatment in London:
- All-on-4 per arch: typically £10,000–£18,000
- All-on-6 per arch: typically £13,000–£22,000
- Full mouth replacement (both arches): typically £20,000–£40,000+
These figures reflect the complete treatment package: implant surgery, the temporary same-day prosthesis fitted immediately after surgery, and the final permanent restoration placed once osseointegration is confirmed. Additional costs may apply for CBCT scanning, extractions of remaining teeth, or bone grafting where needed.
At Fitzroy Dental Practice, we provide a fully itemised written treatment plan following your assessment, so you know exactly what each stage involves before committing.
Why does the cost vary so much between practices?
Price differences reflect genuine clinical variables: the implant brand used, the quality of the dental laboratory fabricating the prosthesis, whether the practice employs an in-house implant surgeon or refers externally, and the level of pre-surgical planning technology such as CBCT imaging and guided surgery software.
Practices advertising unusually low full-arch prices sometimes use budget implant systems or offshore laboratories. This can affect the longevity and appearance of the final result. When evaluating quotes, ask specifically what implant brand is being placed, where the prosthesis is fabricated, and what is included in the package price.
Is a full set of dental implants available on the NHS?
In the vast majority of cases, full-arch dental implant treatment is not available on the NHS. Dental implants fall outside routine NHS provision and are funded only in exceptional clinical circumstances, typically through specialist hospital settings for patients with specific medical needs. For most patients seeking a full set of dental implants, private treatment is the realistic pathway.
How much is All-on-4 compared with All-on-6 and which is better value?
All-on-4 costs less than All-on-6 primarily because it uses two fewer implants and the surgery is typically shorter. The All-on-4 design places the two rear implants at an angle to maximise contact with available bone, which often removes the need for bone grafting, a further cost saving for many patients.
All-on-6 distributes support across six posts, which some clinicians prefer for patients with stronger bone volume or heavier biting forces. It is not inherently superior to All-on-4; the right choice depends on your bone anatomy, bite pattern, and the clinical assessment your surgeon carries out. Most patients find that the difference in outcome between the two is far less significant than the quality of planning and execution.
What about same-day teeth does that change the cost?
Both All-on-4 and All-on-6 typically involve immediate loading, fitting a provisional prosthesis on the same day as surgery. This means most patients leave the clinic with a full set of functioning teeth on the day of their implant procedure. The same-day provisional is not the final restoration; it is replaced with the permanent prosthesis, usually within three to six months, once the implants have fully integrated with the bone.
Immediate loading is generally included within the quoted package price at reputable practices rather than charged as an add-on.
What affects the total cost of a full mouth of dental implants?
Beyond the base implant and prosthesis costs, several factors can add to the overall investment:
- Extractions: any remaining teeth that need removing before implant placement carry a separate fee
- Bone grafting: if significant bone loss has occurred, grafting may be required before implants can be placed; this adds cost and extends the treatment timeline
- CBCT scanning: three-dimensional imaging is essential for safe implant planning and is sometimes charged separately from the consultation fee
- Sedation: IV sedation is available for anxious patients and adds to the overall cost
- Final prosthesis material: titanium-reinforced hybrid prostheses cost more than basic acrylic alternatives but offer greater durability
Can I spread the cost of full-arch implant treatment?
Yes. At Fitzroy Dental Practice, we offer 0% interest-free finance over 12 months with no deposit required. For full-arch treatment, which represents a significant investment, longer finance arrangements may also be available; ask our patient coordinators for details when you book your consultation.
Finance makes it possible to access quality treatment without the need for a large upfront payment, and avoids the compromise of choosing a lower-quality provider on price alone.
How do I find out whether I am suitable for full-arch dental implants?
A thorough assessment is essential before any full-arch treatment plan is finalised. At Fitzroy, this includes a clinical examination, a review of your medical and dental history, and a CBCT scan to assess bone volume and anatomy in three dimensions. This imaging allows our implant team to plan the precise position and angle of each implant before any surgery takes place.
Most patients with significant tooth loss are suitable for some form of full-arch treatment, even those who have experienced bone loss. Whether All-on-4 is achievable without grafting, or whether a staged approach is needed, depends on findings from the scan.
How long does the full treatment take from first consultation to final teeth?
For patients who proceed with immediate loading, the timeline typically runs as follows: consultation and CBCT scan at the first visit, surgery and same-day provisional prosthesis at the second, and a series of review appointments over the following three to six months before the final permanent prosthesis is fitted. The total treatment journey most patients complete within four to seven months, though this varies depending on individual healing and any preparatory work needed beforehand.
If you would like to understand your full-arch implant options in detail, the implant team at Fitzroy Dental Practice would be glad to carry out an assessment and provide a transparent, itemised quote. To book a same-day implant consultation at Fitzroy Dental Practice, find us at 14 Fitzroy Square, Fitzrovia, London W1T 6AH. Call us on 020 7387 3317 or book online.
