can i replace all my teeth with implants

People ask this for two very different reasons. Some have already lost most of their teeth and struggle with dentures. Others have teeth that are loose, decayed or repeatedly painful and wonder whether to replace them all in one go. The answer to the first group is often yes. For the second group, the first question is whether some of those teeth are worth saving.

The main options

• Implant-retained overdenture: a removable denture that clips onto two to four implants. It stays put while eating and speaking, is easier to clean and costs considerably less than fixed teeth. Two implants in the lower jaw make a big difference for people whose lower denture floats.
• Fixed full-arch bridge: a full row of teeth screwed onto four to six implants in one jaw, which only the dentist removes. It feels closest to natural teeth, but needs more bone, more planning, careful cleaning under the bridge and a higher budget.
• Individual implants for every tooth: rarely needed or advised. It means many more surgeries and cost without a clear benefit for most people.

Should healthy or treatable teeth be removed?

Natural teeth that can be saved with gum treatment, root canals or crowns are usually better kept. Removing them for implants is irreversible, and implants have their own risks over decades. A responsible plan removes only teeth that cannot reasonably be saved. If anyone suggests extracting teeth that are sound, get a second opinion.

Who is a good candidate

• General health stable, with diabetes and blood pressure controlled.
• Enough bone, or bone that can be built up, assessed with imaging. A CBCT scan is almost always advised for full-arch planning; we will tell you where it is done and what it costs.
• Willingness to stop tobacco and commit to daily cleaning and regular reviews.
• Realistic expectations about time: from planning to final teeth often takes several months.

What the journey looks like

1. Examination, X-rays and a scan, followed by a written plan with options.
2. Removal of teeth that cannot be saved, often with temporary teeth so you are never without teeth in public.
3. Implant surgery, sometimes with grafting.
4. Healing for a few months, wearing temporary teeth.
5. Final teeth made and fitted, then regular maintenance visits.

How we approach it

Implants and full-mouth rehabilitation are among Dr Avinash Bamane's main clinical interests. A full-arch case is planned as a team: he or Dr Rashmi sees you first, then brings in the right specialist, usually a prosthodontist for the teeth and an oral surgeon or periodontist for the surgery. See our prosthodontics department. You get the plan written down with alternatives, and you decide afterwards in your own time. Nobody at our clinic is paid on what you spend.

Cost and payment

A full-arch plan is quoted after imaging and planning, because the number of implants, grafts and type of teeth vary so much. For reference, our current published fee for a single implant is from ₹80,000, and for a conventional complete denture ₹80,000. Monthly plans are available for treatment from ₹60,000, with a 40% advance; the pay-in-advance benefit on implants and dentures is capped at 10%. Details are on our payment options page. If fixed teeth are out of reach, a well-made denture, or an overdenture on two implants, is a sound choice. Our denture page explains those options.