DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Full set of dental implants cost in the UK: all-on-4 explained
Replacing a whole arch of teeth with implants is one of the biggest dental decisions you can make, both clinically and financially. Techniques like all-on-4 and all-on-6 fix a full set of teeth onto a small number of implants, which is why they are popular with people who want to move on from loose dentures. This guide breaks down what drives the cost and where you can trim it, with the real prices below drawn from actual patients.
The quick version
- A full arch is not just lots of single implants added up. All-on-4 uses four posts to carry a fixed bridge, so it is a different, more designed piece of work.
- Prices are usually quoted per arch, so a full mouth means roughly double a single arch.
- The material of the final teeth, acrylic versus zirconia, makes a big difference to both the price and how long they last.
- A full arch of implants is almost always private treatment, as the NHS does not fund it for cosmetic or comfort reasons.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 56% more than the advertised NHS or list price for implant.
NHS / list prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £2,000“Then came the speel for an implant, £2000 each, need 2”
- £3,000“the last costing £3,000 but that included an extraction”
- £4,000“My dentist quoted me £4,000 for an implant but that includes needing to have several bone grafts”
- £6,000“I was quoted it would be around £4000 but then additions were put on and I was quoted £6000”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
Full arch implant costs vary because you are buying a whole system rather than one tooth. The number of implants used, four, six or more, changes the fee, and so does the material of the fixed teeth on top. A temporary set is fitted first, then a stronger permanent bridge later, and premium zirconia costs far more than acrylic. Your jawbone matters too, since thin or soft bone may need grafting before anything can be placed. Because the NHS does not cover this treatment, there is no capped charge like the NHS Band 3 fee of £332.10 that applies to NHS dentures or bridges, and private full arch fees sit far above that band.
How to pay less
- Compare all-on-4 against a well-made set of implant-retained dentures, which use fewer implants and often cost less while still clipping firmly in place.
- Ask exactly what the quote includes, such as the temporary teeth, the final teeth, follow-up visits and any grafting, so you can compare like for like.
- Get more than one opinion, because a private dentist may recommend six implants where another is confident four will do.
- Ask about staged payment or 0% finance so the cost is spread rather than paid up front.
Common questions
What is the difference between all-on-4 and dentures?
All-on-4 fixes a full set of teeth permanently onto four implants, so nothing comes out at night and there is no plate across the roof of your mouth. Traditional dentures rest on the gum and are taken out to clean. There is also a middle option, implant-retained dentures, which clip onto a couple of implants and can be removed. Each suits a different budget and lifestyle.
Is a full set of implants ever available on the NHS?
Realistically no, not for comfort or appearance. The NHS may fund implants only where there is a serious medical reason, and that is assessed case by case. Most people needing a full arch will be looking at private treatment, so it is worth budgeting on that basis from the start.
How long do full arch implants take to complete?
Often several months from start to finish. Many clinics fit a temporary set of teeth on the same day the implants go in, then let everything heal before the permanent bridge is made and fitted. The exact timeline depends on how well your bone heals and whether any grafting was needed.