All-on-4 replaces a full arch of missing or failing teeth using just four implants and a fixed bridge, often in a single day. At Dentistry on the Grove in Southbourne, Bournemouth, the implant team is led by Dr Philip McCauley, a visiting oral surgeon who has placed thousands of implants over 25 years. A single implant with a crown starts from £3,400.
As of September 2026, that’s the confirmed starting point for anyone in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole weighing up their options.
What is All-on-4 and how does it work?
The idea behind All-on-4 is simple, even if the surgery isn’t. Instead of replacing each missing tooth one by one, four implants are placed at carefully chosen angles in the jaw. A full arch of fixed replacement teeth is then attached to those four posts.
Two implants go in straight, near the front. The other two are angled further back, which lets your dentist avoid areas of weaker bone and skip the bone grafts that older implant techniques often needed.
The result is a full set of fixed teeth supported by a fraction of the implants a traditional approach would use. Fewer implants, less surgery, and for many patients, a faster path back to eating and smiling normally.
How much do dental implants cost in Bournemouth?
Here’s the honest answer. A single dental implant including the crown starts from £3,400 at Dentistry on the Grove.
Full-arch All-on-4 treatment is priced individually. It has to be. The number of implants, the complexity of your jaw, the type of bridge you need, and whether any teeth require extraction first all affect the final figure. Nobody can give you an accurate number without a scan and a proper look at your mouth.
What you can rely on is a clear, written treatment plan before you commit to anything. You’ll know the full cost, in writing, before a single implant goes in.
It’s worth comparing that against the alternative cost of doing nothing. Missing teeth left unreplaced can lead to bone loss in the jaw, shifting of the remaining teeth, and a harder, more expensive fix later on. The upfront figure for All-on-4 looks large next to a single filling, but it’s worth weighing against years of avoided problems, not just against the cheapest denture on the market.
Who places the implants at Dentistry on the Grove?
Dr Philip McCauley is a visiting oral surgeon with more than 25 years’ experience. He’s placed thousands of implants and lectures other dental professionals on implant placement, which tells you something most implant marketing doesn’t: this isn’t a technique he picked up recently.
He works alongside Dr Mike Wiktor, a general and implant dentist, as part of the practice’s implant team.
Most implant pages you’ll find locally talk about the brand of implant they use. Dentistry on the Grove would rather you knew who’s actually doing the surgery, and how many times they’ve done it.
Is same-day teeth possible with All-on-4?
Often, yes. One of the reasons All-on-4 exists as a technique is that it can support a temporary fixed bridge on the same day as implant placement, so you’re not left without teeth while everything heals.
That said, “same day” means same-day teeth, not same-day final result. The temporary bridge lets you eat, speak and smile while the implants fuse with the bone underneath, a process that takes several months. Once healing is complete, a final, more durable bridge replaces the temporary one.
Whether same-day teeth is right for you depends on your bone quality and the condition of the teeth being replaced. That’s exactly what your consultation, including an in-house OPG or CBCT scan, is for.
What happens at your implant consultation?
Your first visit starts with a conversation, not a drill. Dr Philip McCauley or Dr Mike Wiktor will examine your mouth, take a detailed history, and use in-house OPG or CBCT scanning to map your jaw in three dimensions.
That scan shows the exact bone volume and density available, which is what actually determines whether All-on-4 will work for you, and where the four implants should go.
You’ll leave with a written plan. No pressure to book anything on the spot.
Dentistry on the Grove’s scanning capability is strong enough that the practice also takes referrals from other local dental practices for implant cases. That’s not something every general practice can say.
Are dental implants painful?
Most patients describe implant placement as far more comfortable than they expected. It’s carried out under local anaesthetic, and for anxious patients, IV sedation can be arranged through 3H Dental Sedation Specialists, an external qualified anaesthetist.
Some soreness and swelling in the days afterwards is normal, similar to what you’d feel after a tooth extraction. Over-the-counter pain relief usually covers it.
The bigger discomfort, for most people, is the years of avoiding a dentist beforehand. Getting through the door is often the hardest part.
How long do dental implants last?
With good home care and regular hygiene visits, dental implants can last decades, in many cases for life. The implant itself, the titanium post fused into your jawbone, is the most durable part of the whole treatment.
The bridge or crown attached to it may need adjustment or replacement over the years, the same way any dental restoration wears with use. Regular check-ups at Dentistry on the Grove let the team catch small issues before they become bigger ones.
Looking after implants day to day isn’t complicated. Brush and clean around them as you would natural teeth, keep up with hygiene appointments, and avoid using your new teeth to crack nuts or open bottles. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for implant failure, so if you smoke, it’s worth raising with your dentist before treatment starts, not after.
None of this is a reason to put off a decision if All-on-4 is right for you. It’s simply what keeps a good result a good result for the next twenty years, not just the first two.
FAQ
How much do dental implants cost in the UK?
UK implant prices vary widely by practice and case complexity. At Dentistry on the Grove in Southbourne, a single implant including the crown starts from £3,400. Full-arch treatment such as All-on-4 is quoted individually after a consultation and scan, since the number of implants and the type of bridge needed both affect the final cost.
What is All-on-4 and how does it work?
All-on-4 is a technique that replaces a full arch of missing or failing teeth using just four implants, two placed straight and two angled, supporting a fixed bridge. It often avoids the bone grafts that older, denser implant patterns required, and can sometimes support a temporary bridge on the same day as surgery.
How long do dental implants last?
The implant post itself can last decades with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, in many cases for life. The attached crown or bridge may need adjustment or eventual replacement over time, similar to any other dental restoration.
Are dental implants painful?
Implant placement is carried out under local anaesthetic, and Dentistry on the Grove can arrange IV sedation through 3H Dental Sedation Specialists for anxious patients. Mild soreness afterwards is normal and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief, similar to recovering from an extraction.
Can I get implants in a single day?
Sometimes. All-on-4 can support a temporary fixed bridge on the day of implant placement in suitable cases, so you’re not without teeth while healing takes place. Whether this applies to you depends on your bone quality and overall dental health, which is assessed using in-house OPG or CBCT scanning at your consultation.
What to do next
If you’re missing several teeth, or facing the possibility, and want a straight answer on whether All-on-4 could work for you, book a consultation with the implant team at Dentistry on the Grove in Southbourne.
Call 01202 443882, or visit the contact page at Dentistry on the Grove to get in touch.
You can also read more about dental implants at Dentistry on the Grove, check the full fee list at Dentistry on the Grove, or find out about the practice’s implant referral service for other dental practices.
