Procedure
Full Mouth Dental Implants - UK Guide 2026
Full mouth dental implant treatment replaces every tooth in both the upper and lower arches. Depending on the case, this can be done using two All-on-4 or All-on-6 bridges, or individual implants supporting multiple crowns and bridges.
Who is this treatment for?
Ideal for patients who are missing most or all of their teeth, suffer from failing dentures, or have advanced gum disease affecting the entire mouth and want a permanent, fixed reconstruction.
How the treatment works, step by step
- 01
Specialist consultation and full planning
Full mouth cases require a detailed workup: CBCT scans, 3D photographs, digital smile design, and sometimes a CT-guided surgical plan. Most clinics offer a staged approach to break down the cost.
- 02
Arch-by-arch surgery
Most patients have one arch treated first (commonly the upper), followed by the lower arch weeks or months later. Immediate temporary bridges are placed on the day so the patient is never without teeth.
- 03
Healing and provisional phase
Over several months, the implants integrate and the patient wears provisional bridges. This phase is used to refine bite, speech, and aesthetics before committing to the final restoration.
- 04
Final permanent bridges
The final bridges - typically monolithic zirconia or hybrid acrylic - are milled to the patient's specifications and fitted. Full mouth cases are reviewed annually thereafter.
What's included in a typical private quote
- Specialist consultation and CBCT scans of both arches
- Digital smile design and treatment plan
- Surgical placement of 8-12 implants in total
- Extractions of failing teeth where required
- Same-day temporary bridges (upper and lower)
- Final fixed bridges (both arches)
- Sedation where clinically appropriate
- Multi-year review programme and warranty
Common add-ons that affect the price
These are the most common items that may raise the final quote. A good consultation will tell you which of these apply to your case before you commit.
- Bone graft (per site) £300 - £1,200
- Sinus lift (upper) £1,000 - £2,500
- IV sedation per session £350 - £800
- Zirconia full-arch upgrade £2,000 - £5,000 per arch
Are you a good candidate?
Most UK patients can have this treatment, but the following factors make a difference to clinical planning and long-term success:
- Most or all teeth missing or failing
- Sufficient bone volume - grafting is planned into the quote where needed
- Good general health and controlled medical conditions
- Non-smoker or willing to stop during treatment
- Commitment to a staged, multi-month treatment plan
UK pricing at a glance
| Treatment | Unit | Typical range | Average | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Tooth Dental Implant | per tooth | £1,800 - £3,500 | £2,500 | 3-6 months |
| All-on-4 Dental Implants | per arch | £9,000 - £15,000 | £12,000 | 4-8 months |
| Full Mouth Dental Implants | both arches | £18,000 - £30,000 | £23,000 | 6-12 months |
Ranges are typical UK private-practice prices. Actual quotes depend on case complexity, bone condition, and materials used.
When does a full mouth reconstruction make sense?
Full mouth dental implant treatment is the right choice when most or all of the teeth are missing, severely damaged, or supported by failing gums. It is also the best option for patients who have struggled with traditional dentures for years and are tired of removable teeth slipping, ulcerating, or impairing speech and eating.
A full mouth reconstruction is a significant clinical and financial commitment, but it is also the treatment that most patients describe as "life-changing" in follow-up interviews. The combination of restored function, appearance, and self-confidence is unmatched by any removable alternative.
Should you do both arches at once or stage them?
Most UK specialists recommend a staged approach: treat the upper arch first, let it integrate for 3-6 months, then treat the lower arch. The main reasons are:
- Recovery is significantly easier when you have a stable opposing arch to eat on during healing
- Staging spreads the surgical load and makes sedation or anaesthesia plans simpler
- You can spread the cost across financial years or finance plans more comfortably
- Refinements to the first arch inform the planning of the second, improving the final result
Some clinics do offer same-day full mouth surgery, but it is typically reserved for patients with strong general health, clear bone, and specific lifestyle constraints.
How much of a full mouth case is finance-friendly?
Full mouth reconstructions are one of the cases where FCA-regulated finance can be most useful. Most UK clinics will split the quote across the two arches, which means you can set up separate finance plans for each stage and manage the cash flow over 2-4 years in total. On a £25,000 two-arch reconstruction, typical monthly repayments range from £400 to £700 depending on deposit and plan length.