Smile In A Day dental implants

Expert review by:

Dr Neil Sikka, Director of Dentistry, Bupa Dental Care

What is Smile In A Day treatment?

Smile in a day is a treatment to replace missing or failing teeth with a full set of dental implants in one appointment. A dental implant is a small screw placed into your jawbone that supports a false tooth.

In most cases, four to six implants are placed into your jaw. An entire arch of custom-made false teeth are then attached to the implants on the same day. So, unlike multi-stage implants, you don’t need to have multiple surgeries or wait months for your jawbone to heal.

Your dentist might suggest smile in a day treatment if you have several missing teeth or wear dentures that don’t fit properly.

Smile in a day can restore your smile instantly, especially if you’ve struggled with poor oral health for a long time. It can also help you feel more confident and make eating and speaking easier. You might also hear smile in a day be called:

teeth in a day
same-day teeth
full mouth dental implants
All-on-4 dental implants
immediate implants

attachment points in the jawbone secure the implant in place

The diagram shows how the implants are fitted onto the jawbone.

How does All-on-4 work?

Step 1: Consultation and treatment options

If you’re interested in smile in a day treatment (also known as All-on-4), the first step is to arrange a consultation with your local dental practice. Your dentist will explain all your tooth replacement options, answer any questions, and help you decide on the best treatment for you.

Step 2: Assessments and scans

If you’re a potential candidate for smile in a day, your dentist will carry out a thorough examination of your dental health. This will include taking a 3D scan and special dental x-rays, to check if your jawbone is strong enough to support implants. They might also take moulds of your mouth.

Your dentist will use the results of your scans to create a personalised treatment plan, including how many implants you need and where they’ll be placed. They may want to see you a number of times, so they can carefully plan your procedure. Your dentist will explain how many appointments you’ll need, what’s involved, and the full cost. You’ll have the chance to ask questions before giving your consent to proceed.

Step 3: Implant placement

On the day of treatment, your dentist will inject a local anaesthetic into your gums to numb the area, so you don’t feel pain. If your procedure is complex or you’re very nervous, they might be able to offer you dental sedation, to help you relax.

Your dentist will make a small cut in your gum, drill a small hole, and place four to six implants in your jaw at precise angles. The implants are strategically placed to provide a strong foundation for your new teeth.

Once the implants are in place, your dentist will fit an attachment called an abutment to the top of them. An abutment is a small connection that acts as a secure base for your false tooth to screw into. Finally, a set of temporary false teeth are secured on top of the abutment. This means you leave with a complete set of new teeth on the same day. These teeth are designed to look natural and feel secure, so you can start eating and speaking comfortably straight away.

Over the next few months, your jawbone and dental implants fuse together (a process called osseointegration). Then your dentist will fit your permanent teeth. These are custom-made for you in a lab and look like real teeth and gums.

Step 4: Follow-up and aftercare

After your new teeth are fitted, your dentist will give you detailed advice on caring for your implants. You’ll need to attend follow-up appointments so they can check your implants are healing well. It’s important to take good care of your implants and attend regular check-ups with your dentist and hygienist. This will help keep your implants healthy and ensure they last for many years.

What are the benefits of Smile In A Day?

If you’re thinking about replacing loose, failing or missing teeth, your dentist will explain all your options and help you choose the best treatment for you. Here are some of the benefits you might find with smile in a day.

Fast and convenient. If your jawbone is healthy enough, smile in a day can give you a new smile in less than 24 hours. Your dentist will plan your treatment in advance and fit your new teeth on the same day as your implants, often after removing failing teeth. This means fewer appointments and fewer surgical procedures overall. Unlike conventional implants, you won’t need to wait months for your jawbone and implant to fuse together, and your smile can be restored in one day.
Improves your self-esteem. Loose or missing teeth can make some people feel self-conscious and reluctant to smile. Same-day dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth, helping you to feel more confident in your smile.
Looks natural and lasts a long time. Smile in a day dental implants are designed to look just like natural teeth. Your dentist will work with you to choose the shape, size and colour that suits your smile. They can also last for many years if you take good care of them.
Helps you eat and speak comfortably. Same-day dental implants are permanently fixed in your mouth, so you can eat and speak easily. Unlike dentures that may slip or feel loose, dental implants feel secure and comfortable, allowing you to enjoy hard or crunchy foods again.
Prevents bone loss and teeth shifting. When teeth are missing, the bone that once supported them starts to shrink because it’s no longer needed. Over time, your remaining teeth may also start to move into the gaps left behind by missing teeth. This affects the shape of your face and the way your teeth fit together (your bite). But dental implants replace your tooth roots, encourage new bone to form and keep your other teeth in the correct position.

Who is eligible for same-day dental implants?

Same-day dental implants aren’t suitable for everyone, so your dentist will carry out a detailed assessment to check if this treatment may be right for you.

For smile in a day to work, you need plenty of healthy jawbone. This is because the implants need to stabilise in your jaw and support your new teeth immediately without moving. If you’re not eligible right away, your dentist may suggest other treatments first. For example, a bone graft to increase the amount of bone in your jaw, or improving your oral health.

You might be eligible for smile in a day treatment if you:

are missing multiple teeth
wear dentures that don’t fit properly
have enough healthy jawbone to support implants
look after your teeth and don’t have infections or gum disease
don’t smoke, take drugs, or are willing to quit
are generally in good health and can heal well
don’t take medications that slow bone healing (like some used for osteoporosis or cancer)
don’t grind your teeth (bruxism), which can put stress on implants

What are the alternatives to Smile In A Day treatment?

If same-day teeth implants aren’t the right option for you, here are other options your dentist might suggest to replace your missing teeth.

Multi-stage dental implants. These are individual implants placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Each implant acts like a natural tooth root and is topped with a crown. They look and feel very natural but usually take a few months to complete because the bone needs time to heal around the implant.
Removable dentures. These are full or partial sets of teeth that you can take out for cleaning. They’re the most affordable option and don’t require surgery, but they can feel less secure and may need adjustments over time.
A traditional dental bridge. A bridge fills the gap left by missing teeth by attaching a false tooth (or teeth) to the natural teeth on either side. It’s fixed in place, so you don’t remove it, but your dentist does need to remove some of your existing teeth on either side.

Before and after: Real patient results

Find your closest Bupa dental practice

Treatments and symptoms

Services

Finance calculator

Cost of treatment

250

50000

Please enter a value between £250 and £50,000.

Repayment term

3 months

60 months

Repayments must be made over 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months

Deposit (Optional)

Monthly payment

£0 per month

Total to pay back (excl. optional deposit): £0

Total interest payable: £0

Please note the above quotation is an indicative cost and actual monthly payments may vary by +/- 5p per month.

0% APR representative

0% interest rate

Find your nearest practice

Bupa Dental Care is a trading name of Oasis Dental Care Limited, Vantage Office Park, Bristol, BS16 1GW, whose company registered number is 00478127. Oasis Dental Care Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA registration no: 710559.  Oasis Dental Care Limited is a credit broker and not a lender. 

Terms and conditions:

All loans subject to eligibility, status, affordability and a credit check. Finance applicant must be aged 18 or over, a UK resident, have a UK bank account and be in permanent employment. Oasis Dental Care Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA registration no: 710559. Oasis Dental Care Limited is a credit broker and not a lender. Finance is provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register no. 704348. Registered Office: Novuna House, Thorpe Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 3HP. Registered in Cardiff under company no. 1630491. The register can be accessed through www.fca.org.

Smile In A Day dental implants

What is Smile In A Day treatment?

How does All-on-4 work?