Should You Get All-on-4 Dental Implants or Dentures in Chester?
Have a full set of missing or failing teeth? Trying to decide if All-on-4 is worth the cost, or if dentures will be the better, more affordable solution? Both treatments effectively replace a full row of missing teeth, but they do it very differently.
At Tudor House Dental Surgery in Chester, we offer both missing teeth solutions and have put together a guide below to help patients consider their tooth replacement options clearly, taking everything into consideration from cost, stability, appearance and long-term suitability.
Full set of missing teeth treatment options:
- All-on-4 replaces a full arch with fixed implant-supported teeth
- Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable appliance
- All-on-4 offers fixed stability with no denture adhesive
- Dentures rely on suction and cover the upper palate
- All-on-4 is a palateless denture that you can wear all the time
Explore All-on-4 dental implants or explore dentures.
All-on-4 dental implants vs dentures overview
| Comparison | All-on-4 | Dentures |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Replaces a full arch of missing or failing teeth with fixed implant-supported teeth | Replaces missing teeth with a removable appliance |
| Stability | Fixed in place, very stable and does not move | Rely on suction, removable and can loosen and move |
| Treatment time | Teeth placed in a dental, final bridge placed around 3 months later | Around 3 weeks to be custom-made |
| Durability | Dental implants can last decades and may never need replacing | Typically last around 10 years, may need relining, adjusting or replacing as your gums and jawbone change |
| Biting power | Can restore up to 90% of natural biting power | Often provides much less biting power than fixed implant teeth |
| Diet restriction | Patients can eat tougher, crunchier or chewier foods more confidently | Sticky, hard, chewy or crunchy foods may be difficult |
| Comfort | Fixed, less bulky and does not rub against the gums | Can rub, feel bulky or cause sore spots if the fit changes |
| Maintenance | Daily cleaning around fixed teeth and regular dental reviews | Removed and cleaned daily and taken out overnight |
| Cost | From £17,500 or £364 per month | From £825 |
The best solution depends on your goals
- All-on-4 dental implants replace a full arch of teeth using 4 implants
- Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable appliance
The main difference between dentures and All-on-4 is that one relies on suction (dentures), and the other is permanently fixed (All-on-4). As dentures are removable, they are taken out overnight, which means patients really only replace missing teeth for a short time.
With All-on-4, you can forget that you have missing teeth because they’re permanently fixed, which means they’re only removable by a dentist, making them dentures you can wear all the time and go about your life with no restrictions.
Stability
- All-on-4 is a fixed solution, meaning they do not move 🏆
- Dentures rely on suction and adhesives to stay in place
As All-on-4 teeth are fixed to dental implants, they’re designed not to move when eating, speaking, chewing, laughing or smiling. Dentures, on the other hand, even if they’re well-made and modern, can loosen over time as the gums and jawbone change, causing movement that leads to rubbing, slipping and sore spots. All-on-4 avoids this because dental implants in the jaw stimulate the bone, replacing the root of the tooth, not just the aesthetics.
The benefit here is that All-on-4 never comes loose, slips out or causes accidents, which means patients can talk and eat better and enjoy a solution that not only restores appearance but almost full function.
Treatment times
- All-on-4 is placed in a day with temporary teeth 🏆
- Dentures are quicker as they only take 3 weeks to be made
All-on-4 treatment typically takes longer because we need to wait for the dental implants to heal and integrate with the bone before treatment is complete. While temporary teeth can be placed the same day as surgery, the final bridge is typically placed about 3 months later.
Dentures, on the other hand, typically win for initial speed as they don’t require much planning or surgery to be placed; however, All-on-4 can still give patients fixed temporary teeth even quicker; they just won’t be your permanent set.
Durability
- All-on-4 dental implants can last 25+ years 🏆
- Dentures typically last around 10 years
Dental implants can last for decades and might never need to be replaced. The All-on-4 bridge attached to the implants might require maintenance or replacement over time, but they’re still exceptionally durable, lasting up to 20 years. Dentures, on the other hand, require adjustments and relining more periodically due to changes to your gums and jawbone. So, when it comes to long-term durability and value for money, All-on-4 comes out stronger.
Function
- All-on-4 restores up to 90% biting force 🏆
- Dentures restore up to 25% biting force
All-on-4 restores up to 90% of natural biting power, making it the closest in function to natural teeth. Removable dentures typically restore only 20% to 25%, making eating feel less secure and limiting the foods patients can eat confidently, as dentures often move around when biting tougher foods. With dentures, patients are typically advised to avoid steak, crunchy bread, apples, nuts or chewy sweets, whereas All-on-4 typically has no problems.
Comfort and appearance
- All-on-4 teeth are lightweight and natural 🏆
- Dentures can feel bulky and cause discomfort
All-on-4 dental implants are less bulky than dentures and are designed to keep the roof of the mouth uncovered (palateless dentures). Traditional dentures, on the other hand, cover the palate and can rub against gums, causing sore spots and discomfort. In comparison, All-on-4 can feel and look much more natural and secure.
Maintenance
- All-on-4 is cleaned pretty much like normal teeth 🏆
- Dentures are removed and cleaned daily
All-on-4 teeth stay in the mouth and are cleaned daily with careful brushing, interdental cleaning and regular dental reviews. In comparison, dentures are removed, cleaned and usually taken out overnight to give the gums a rest and keep the denture clean. Both options require good maintenance, but the maintenance routines differ. All-on-4 is like caring for fixed teeth, whereas dentures require separate cleaning.
Cost
- All-on-4 is more expensive, requiring a higher initial investment
- Dentures are the lower upfront cost option 🏆
All-on-4 dental implants at Tudor House Dental Surgery cost from £17,500 (all-inclusive pricing), with monthly finance from £364 per month over 60 months. Dentures are cheaper initially, costing from £825, but require more repairs, relining and replacements throughout their lifetime. In some cases, All-on-4 is more of a one-off cost.
Book a free consultation in Chester to explore which option is best suited to you
All-on-4 is often the better option for patients who want fixed, stable teeth that do not move, greater biting power, fewer dietary restrictions, and a less bulky, more comfortable alternative to full dentures. Dentures are better if you want a cheaper option that does not involve surgical placement.
At Tudor House Dental, we can help explore your options and assess your suitability before explaining if All-on-4 or dentures is the right solution, or perhaps help you explore other in-between solutions like implant-retained dentures instead.
Our dental practice in Chester has been trusted since 1983 and offers free on-street parking outside, clear fees and finance options to help make larger treatments more manageable. To book an appointment, call 01829 741284 or book online.
