What is the difference between All-on-4 and a denture?
A denture is a removable set of teeth that rests on the gums. All-on-4 is a full arch of teeth fixed onto four implants in the jaw; All-on-6 uses six. A denture comes out every night. An All-on-4 arch stays in, and only your dentist can remove it.
Both replace a full arch of missing teeth. They differ in how they feel, how well you chew, what happens to the bone, and what they ask of you in time and money.
How do they feel day to day?
Dentures rely on suction and the shape of the gums. Many people get used to them, but some find them loose, especially in the lower jaw, and use adhesive. An upper denture also covers the palate, which can affect taste and the feeling of food.
An All-on-4 arch is fixed, so it does not move when you speak, laugh or eat. The palate stays uncovered. Most people describe it as feeling much closer to their own teeth.
How well can you chew?
Fixed implant teeth usually allow much stronger and more comfortable chewing than a conventional denture, because the force goes into the bone through the implants rather than pressing on the gums. With a denture, many people avoid hard or sticky food.
What happens to the jawbone?
After teeth are lost, the bone that held them slowly shrinks, because it is no longer stimulated by chewing. A denture does not stop this, so over the years it often needs relining or remaking as the gums change shape. Implants carry chewing forces into the bone, which helps to preserve it where they are placed.
How are they cleaned?
A denture comes out and is cleaned by hand, and the gums are cleaned too. An All-on-4 arch is cleaned in place with a soft brush, interdental brushes and a water flosser, especially under the bridge. A professional clean once a year, with the arch removed by a dentist, keeps the implants healthy. We show you the routine on your last day.
What does the treatment involve?
A denture needs impressions and a few fitting visits, without surgery. All-on-4 needs a 3D scan, implant surgery under local anaesthetic (sedation is available), and two trips: a fixed temporary arch is fitted within a few days of surgery, and the final arch follows three to six months later. Our All-on-4 page shows the day-by-day plan.
Who is a good candidate for each?
All-on-4 often suits people who have lost, or are losing, most teeth in one jaw, have enough bone for four or six implants (sometimes with angled placement), and are in good enough general health for minor surgery. A denture can be the better choice if surgery is not advisable, or as a temporary step.
Health conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, recent radiotherapy to the jaw, or heavy smoking raise the risks of implant treatment. The doctor goes through your medical history before proposing a plan.
How do the costs compare?
A denture costs much less at the start. All-on-4 is a larger investment: implants, surgery, a temporary arch and a final arch made by a ceramist, over two trips. Over the long term the gap narrows somewhat, because dentures need relining and replacing more often. Our starting prices are on the prices page.
Is there a middle option?
Yes: an implant-retained denture, sometimes called an overdenture. It clips onto two to four implants, so it is much more stable than a regular denture, but you still take it out to clean it. It usually costs less than a fixed arch, and it can be a good fit for the lower jaw.
How do we help you decide?
With a 3D scan, an honest look at your health and expectations, and a written plan that names the number of implants, the materials and every visit on both trips. Send us your photos or X-ray, and the doctor will explain which options suit you.