If you’re exploring ways to replace all your teeth, you’ve probably come across terms like traditional dentures, snap-on dentures, or All-on-4® dental implants.

Many people tell us they’re confused about the differences. Some have been told they’re not suitable for implants. Others have heard of “ Teeth in a day” or “Firm Fit teeth” but aren’t sure what that really means. And quite a few patients don’t even realise how many options are available now — or that they might be a candidate after all.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the differences between dentures, implant-retained overdentures, and All-on-4® full mouth dental implants — including how they work, how long treatment takes, what they feel like, and what to expect with cost.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which option may suit your lifestyle, goals, and long-term comfort.

Option 1: Traditional Full Dentures

Traditional full dentures are removable acrylic plates that sit on top of your gums. They rely on suction, and sometimes adhesive to stay in place. They’re often the first solution people think of when they lose all their teeth. Many of us are familiar with dentures because we have seen or know someone who wears dentures.

Benefits:

• Affordable teeth replacement option

• No major surgery apart from removing the remaining teeth

• Improvements in technology have made dentures more realistic and natural-looking.

Limitations:

• Loose and rub against the gum

• May need to use denture glue to keep them in place

• May affect speech

• Difficult to eat hard or sticky food

• Need to be removed and cleaned daily

• Bulky as dentures are big and cover the entire jaw

Many of our patients begin their journey with full dentures. However, over time they find themselves wanting something more secure and more natural.

We’ve heard stories from people who stopped smiling in photos… who avoided dinners with friends… all because they were afraid their dentures might slip or fall out.

It’s heartbreaking and far more common than most people realise.

Option 2: Overdentures (Snap-On Dentures / Implant-Retained Dentures)

This is where things get a bit confusing for patients — because overdentures are often called different names: snap-on dentures, implant-retained dentures, removable implant dentures, and FirmFit teeth.

Overdentures use 2–4 dental implants to help stabilise the denture. Overdentures are more stable than traditional ones as they clip onto implants for a better hold. But they still need to be taken out every night and cleaned, just like removable dentures.

Benefits:

• More stable than regular dentures

• Can improve confidence while talking or eating

• More affordable than All-on-4®

• Eliminate the need for denture glue

Limitations:

• Still removable

• Need to be taken out at night

• Can feel bulky (especially the upper denture with a palate)

• May require bone grafting in some cases

• Recommended for the lower jaw, but can become less stable over time due to bone shrinkage

• Not ideal for the upper jaw due to softer bone and higher failure rates, unless a bar is made to join the implants together — however this would lead to much higher cost.

• Not ideal for the upper jaw due to softer bone and higher failure rates, unless a bar is made to join the implants together – however this would lead to much higher cost.

This is something we a about with patients all the time. It feels like a halfway option – better than dentures, but not quite like having natural teeth again.

You go through surgery, healing, and cost — but at the end of the day, it still comes out at night. For some people, that’s fine. But others are disappointed once they realise what it really involves.

Option 3: All-on-4® Dental Implants (Full Mouth Dental Implants)

Some people hear the term ‘traditional dental implants’ and wonder how that compares to All-on-4® Implants. Traditional full mouth dental implants technique involves placing individual dental implants for each or every second missing tooth, sometimes requiring 8 to 10 implants per arch, along with bone grafting and multiple surgical stages. Just for reference, the cost of a single dental implant in Australia typically ranges from $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity and clinic. While this approach can work well when replacing a few teeth, for full-mouth restoration it tends to be more invasive, more expensive, and can take many months or even years to complete.

That’s where All-on-4® Dental Implants comes in.

All-on-4® is a modern, graft-free dental implant solution that allows us to restore an entire arch of teeth — using just four strategically placed implants.

What makes it different is the way those implants are placed — at precise angles to maximise the contact with your existing bone. That means, you don’t need bone grafting, even if you’ve been told you’ve had bone loss or insufficient jaw bone. It’s also far less invasive and much more streamlined than traditional methods.

And unlike overdentures, All-on-4® is not removable. These are fixed teeth — they stay in your mouth, they don’t come out at night, and you care for them just like your natural teeth.

The whole concept behind All-on-4® was to give patients a faster, more stable, and more comfortable solution — often allowing for a full set of fixed teeth within 1-3 days, not months.

Benefits:

• Fixed permanent solution — teeth stay in 24/7

• Feels and functions like natural teeth

• Slim, streamlined design (no bulky palate)

• No adhesives, no daily removal

• No bone grafting needed

• Full smile restored in just 1–3 days

Limitations:

• Higher upfront cost

• Requires surgery

We’ve had patients tell us they finally enjoyed steak again, something they hadn’t dared to try for years. One man even shared that he hadn’t touched his flute in over 15 years. After his All-on-4® treatment, he picked it up again and said:

“It’s like I finally have my life back.”

Treatment Time & Process

Full Dentures:

• Immediate dentures can be pre-made and inserted on the same day as teeth removal — however it typically takes 2 to 3 months of healing before the dentures become more comfortable for chewing

• May need relines or replacements every few years

Overdentures:

• The entire process may take 3–6 months

• Surgery is required to remove the remaining teeth, and to place the implants.

• The dentures can only be connected to the implants after a minimum of 3 months healing.

• The implants do not support the denture — they only help to hold them in place.

• Instead, overdentures sit and are supported by the gum, just like traditional full dentures.

All-on-4®:

• First set of fixed teeth placed within 1–3 days of surgery

• Full healing and final bridge in 6 months

• No period without teeth

• Teeth are fully supported by the 4 implants, with no pressure on the gum when eating.

Cost Comparison

Options	Typical Cost Range (AUD)
Dentures	From $3,000 per arch
Overdentures	From $10,000 per arch
All-on-4®	From $24,000 per arch

While the upfront cost of All-on-4® Dental Implants is higher, it reflects the long-term nature of the solution. For many, it offers a stable, fixed option with fewer compromises over time.

Traditional dentures do not prevent bone loss. As the jawbone gradually shrinks, dentures can lose their fit, often requiring relines or replacements to stay functional and comfortable.

Overdentures—especially in the lower jaw—add stability by clipping onto implants. While this can improve function, they still feel more like traditional dentures: they need to be removed for cleaning and while sleeping, and they may not replicate the feel or function of natural teeth. In the upper jaw, where bone quality tends to be softer, overdentures can also have a higher rate of complications over time.

When patients consider the cumulative costs of ongoing adjustments, additional implants, and the potential for continued discomfort, many feel that All-on-4® offers a simpler and more lasting solution. That said, every option has its place depending on your goals, budget, and oral health. We’re here to walk you through each one so you can make the choice that feels right for you. Book your free consultation today.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choosing the right solution depends on your goals, health, and lifestyle. There’s no one-size-fits-all — but there is an option that fits your unique situation.

Some people are just starting to explore their choices. Others have lived with dentures for years, dealing with discomfort or worry about fit. And some have been told implants aren’t possible due to bone loss or other issues.

But with advances like zygomatic implants and graft-free All-on-4®, many who thought they had no options are now enjoying fixed, confident smiles.

That’s why it’s worth sitting down with a team who can honestly review your situation for your best interest — no pressure, just clarity so that you can make an informed decision for yourself. Book your free consultation today.

Because at the end of the day, you deserve to eat, speak, and smile with real confidence — every single moment, not just some.