All-on-4 vs dentures: a cost and quality comparison for UK patients

If you are missing most or all of your teeth on one or both arches, two main treatment paths exist: removable dentures, or fixed implant-supported teeth. Understanding the real-world difference between them helps you make the right decision for your situation.

How dentures work

A denture is a custom-fitted removable plate that replaces missing teeth. It sits on the gum surface, held in place by suction, natural retention from the gum shape, and sometimes dental adhesive.

Full (complete) dentures replace all teeth on an arch. They are the option when no teeth remain.

Partial dentures replace some missing teeth and clip onto remaining teeth for stability.

Materials at Picasso:

• Hard acrylic (plastic): GBP 232 per arch
• Biosoft flexible: GBP 290 per arch

Flexible dentures are more comfortable for many patients as they adapt better to gum contours and cause less irritation. The additional cost is modest.

Dentures are removed for cleaning, usually overnight. They require periodic relining as the gum shape changes over time. Most patients adjust to eating and speaking with dentures, though some foods remain difficult.

How All-on-4 works

All-on-4 places four titanium implants into the jaw: two at the front in a straight position, two at the back angled up to 45 degrees. The angled placement maximises contact with available bone, which is why All-on-4 works for many patients who have experienced bone loss and might not qualify for straight implants.

Once the implants integrate with the bone (typically three to six months), a fixed arch of 12 to 14 teeth is permanently attached to them. The arch does not come out. It is cleaned like natural teeth, with brushing and flossing under the arch.

The result is teeth that feel fixed, function closer to natural teeth, and do not move during eating or speaking.

Dr. Tran Thanh Phong has placed All-on-4 implants since 2010 and has completed over 1,000 full-arch cases. He was the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading, where the temporary fixed arch is placed on the same day as the implants.

The bone loss problem with dentures

This is the most important long-term difference between the two options.

When a tooth is extracted, the jaw bone that previously surrounded its root no longer receives stimulation. Without stimulation, the bone begins to resorb, reducing in volume over months and years. A denture resting on the gum surface does not prevent this process.

Over five to ten years, bone resorption changes the shape of the gum ridges, causing the denture to fit less well. Repeated relining or new dentures become necessary. The facial appearance can change as the lower face loses bone support.

Implants integrate with the jaw bone. They transmit load through the bone during chewing, preserving bone volume in the same way natural tooth roots do. All-on-4 implants prevent the bone resorption that dentures allow to continue.

For younger patients or anyone expecting to live with this situation for twenty or more years, bone preservation is a significant reason to consider All-on-4.

NHS coverage

The NHS covers full and partial dentures under Band 3 in England, which costs GBP 332.10 per course of treatment as of May 2026. That course can include more than one denture if clinically needed.

All-on-4 is not NHS-funded. It is entirely a private treatment, in the UK or abroad.

Cost comparison

UK private prices

Picasso Dental Clinic, Vietnam (correct as of May 2026)

The Vietnam All-on-4 total cost

Patients rightly ask about the real all-in cost when travelling to Vietnam. A realistic estimate for one arch:

This compares to GBP 13,000 to GBP 25,000 at a UK private clinic. The saving on a single Osstem All-on-4 arch, even after full travel costs, is approximately GBP 8,000 to GBP 19,000.

Two-arch cases (upper and lower) double the implant cost but share the same flights and accommodation, making the proportional saving even larger.

Side-by-side comparison

Who suits each treatment

Dentures are the right choice when:

• Budget is the primary constraint and fixed teeth are not affordable
• Bone volume is severely depleted and implants require extensive grafting
• You prefer a reversible option with no surgery
• NHS Band 3 coverage meets your current need adequately

All-on-4 suits patients who:

• Want fixed teeth that do not come out
• Are willing to invest in a long-term solution that preserves bone
• Can manage two trips to Vietnam over a 6 to 12-month period
• Are comparing a UK quote of GBP 15,000 or more with the Vietnam alternative

When to stay in the UK

Stay with UK providers if significant health conditions make surgical procedures difficult. All-on-4 requires implant placement under local anaesthesia. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, blood-thinning medication, or a history of jaw radiation may need specialist medical liaison before and after surgery. That liaison is more straightforward to manage locally.

Also consider staying in the UK if your NHS dentures are currently working well and being adjusted under Band 3 cover. If the NHS option is meeting your functional needs, the case for private overseas treatment is weaker.

Further reading

• All-on-4 treatment at Picasso
• Dental implant pricing

For a free GBP quote on All-on-4 or denture treatment, send your OPG X-ray and describe your current tooth situation.

Get a free GBP quote