by Pedro Coelho • 7 August 2025 • 5 min read
It sounds like magic—missing teeth fixed in a couple of dentist appointments. Full mouth dental implants are praised as life-changing for bringing back toothy smiles and confidence to those who have struggled with missing teeth for years. At times, some treatments are advertised as being able to restore all teeth in just a day! Is that all true? Let’s find out.
Is Total Smile Restoration Truly Possible with Full Mouth Dental Implants?
Yes, dental implants form the roots of prosthetic teeth and with a full set you will be able to smile wide and bright as you used to. Implant-supported artificial teeth are indistinguishable from natural teeth. No one will be able to tell your teeth are prosthetic. There are different techniques for restoring all missing teeth on a jaw with implants. Right now, the most popular method is All-on-4, which allows dentists to place 16 artificial teeth on a jaw with just four implants. It’s less invasive than traditional implant surgery and is more cost-effective for full restoration. For those who require more stability, All-on-6 comes highly recommended. It’s very similar to All-on-4, except this method uses six implants instead of four, providing more support for those with thinner jawbones. If you have experienced severe jawbone loss or gum problems, dental implants may still be a possibility! Specialty devices like zygomatic and subperiosteal implants can facilitate artificial teeth where other types of implants fail. With implants, you are not only getting your smile back but also your ability to chew and speak comfortably. Implants offer better bite strength than dentures, and you don’t need to soak them overnight! You should brush and floss your artificial teeth just like you did with the natural ones. Implant-supported teeth feel much closer to natural teeth than dentures.
Getting Dental Implants is the Easy Part
Receiving dental implants requires complex oral surgery, but thanks to modern advancements in dental technology, these procedures have become more accurate and effective than ever. You can learn whether you qualify for implants with a single consultation and then arrange the surgery soon after. The length of the surgery will depend on the type of implants you get. All-on-4 procedures, for example, are shorter than traditional implant surgery, and you can receive all implants in one appointment. This technique also enables patients to avoid bone grafting, which reduces the surgical timeline even further.
Keeping Your Implants Working is Another
While you can get most implant surgeries in one sitting, you will still need to come in for follow-up appointments to make sure they are functioning as intended. First, there will be a post-surgical check-up to make sure your body is healing properly. Then, once the healing process is complete, you will have an appointment to fit the prosthetic teeth. Afterwards, you will have to brush and floss as instructed to ensure the longevity of your new smile. Taking care of prosthetic teeth is not that different from taking care of natural teeth. Even if the surgical phase is quick, long-term care is essential for the proper functioning of implant-supported teeth.
Do Understand the Risks of the Full Mouth Dental Implants Procedure
Receiving implants is an invasive surgical procedure, and as such, there will be some risks. Good dentists discuss the risks of implant surgeries with patients in detail. Keep in mind that if you have existing health conditions, they may affect the risk of the procedure for you. In general, implant surgeries are usually highly successful when performed by a qualified dental specialist. In the UK, implant-supported teeth have a five-year survival rate of 97.1%, according to the British Association for Dental Implantology. Implant failure may be rare, but it’s very important to discuss how your individual and lifestyle factors affect surgical risk before choosing this option.
Read the Fine Print about "Same Day Teeth"
Same-day teeth procedures promise new teeth in one appointment. However, whether that’s possible depends on the type of implants you get and the number of procedures you undergo. Typically, dentists don’t attach artificial teeth to implants right after the surgery. Your wounds would need to heal first, and then the implant has to integrate into the jawbone before the prosthetic crowns are attached.
What most practices mean by “same-day teeth” is that you can receive a set of retainers or dentures to use right after the surgery. For example, following All-on-4 surgery, dentists attach a temporary set of teeth until you are fully healed. These temporary teeth are not attached to the implants, but they will restore your smile and allow you to chew comfortably. It is not possible to receive temporary teeth right after every type of implant surgery. If you are receiving specialty implants, such as zygomatic implants, you may have to fully heal before your smile is restored.
Preparatory Procedures May Affect the Cost of Full Mouth Dental Implants
When you get a quote for dental implants of any kind, the cost usually only covers the implants, surgery, the prosthetic teeth, and the follow-up appointments. If your dentist determines that you need bone or gum grafting before placing implants, these will add to the overall price of the treatment. Therefore, always consider the total cost of the treatment when you choose implants, especially if you have preexisting conditions like gum disease or jawbone loss. Choose a clinic that offers transparent cost breakdowns, so you are fully informed in advance.
Get Professional Advice Before Making a Final Decision
Full smile restoration with implants is generally considered to be an effective and successful procedure. However, the treatment timeline can vary from what’s advertised depending on your individual needs. If you are considering getting implants but have concerns regarding recovery or cost, we can offer you professional advice. Call us for more information about implants or book a free appointment with a dentist for a medical opinion.
Malavi Sivakanesan
Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.