Smile in a Day means walking out with a fixed set of teeth on the same day your implants are placed, rather than waiting months in a denture. As of May 2026, 72 Dental in Coulsdon offers this full-arch approach through its in-house implant team, for patients losing or missing a whole jaw of teeth. The name is catchy, though, and it does cause confusion.
So let us clear up what it actually is.
The biggest myth, sorted first
The name suggests you arrive with failing teeth in the morning and leave that afternoon with your final, permanent smile. That is not quite how it works, and any honest dentist will tell you so.
Here is the reality. On the day of surgery, the implants go in and a fixed set of temporary teeth is fitted on top, so you never go home toothless. Those teeth are real, they are screwed in, and you can smile and eat soft food with them. But they are a provisional set. Your gums and bone need a few months to heal and settle around the implants, and only then is the final, stronger set made and fitted.
So “teeth in a day”, yes. “Final teeth in a day”, no. The day gives you a working smile immediately while the foundation knits underneath. That distinction is the whole thing, and getting it straight upfront saves a lot of disappointment.
How full-arch implants actually work
A traditional approach replaces missing teeth one implant at a time, which gets expensive and slow across a whole jaw. The full-arch method, often called All-on-4, takes a smarter route.
Instead of one implant per tooth, the surgeon places four implants, sometimes six, at carefully chosen angles in the jaw. Those few implants act as anchors for a full bridge of teeth. Angling them lets the surgeon use the denser bone you still have, which often means you can avoid bone grafting that older techniques required. Less surgery, fewer implants, and a fixed result the same day.
The principal at 72 Dental, Dr Raman Sandhu, holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons of England and is an advanced practitioner in implant dentistry, so the planning behind these cases is detailed and deliberate, not rushed to fit a marketing promise.
Who Smile in a Day actually suits
This is not for someone missing a single tooth. It is for people facing the loss of most or all of one or both arches, or who already wear dentures and have had enough of them.
You might be a good candidate if you:
- Have several failing teeth in a jaw that cannot be saved
- Already wear a full or partial denture and want something fixed
- Have enough jawbone for angled implants, which a scan will confirm
- Are in reasonable general health and not a heavy smoker
- Want to avoid a removable plate that clicks, slips, or covers the roof of your mouth
And you might not be ready if active gum disease needs treating first, or if a health condition affects healing. That is exactly what the assessment is for. Nobody promises you a result before they have looked properly.
Smile in a Day compared with the alternatives
It helps to see full-arch implants next to what most people are choosing between.
| Option | Fixed or removable | Time to teeth | Feels like | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional dentures | Removable | A few weeks | A plate you take out nightly | Lower cost, non-surgical replacement |
| Implant-retained dentures | Removable, clips on | Months, after healing | Secure but still removable | More stability than a plate, easier cleaning |
| Smile in a Day full arch | Fixed, screwed in | Same day, provisional set | Closest to natural teeth | Replacing a whole arch with fixed teeth |
| Single implants per tooth | Fixed | Months per tooth | Natural, one tooth at a time | A few gaps, not a whole jaw |
The right choice depends on your bone, your budget, and how much you value something fixed over something removable. You can read more about the Smile in a Day approach and about implant-retained dentures to weigh up the difference.
What the day itself looks like
Surgery for a full arch usually takes a few hours under local anaesthetic, with sedation available for nervous patients. The failing teeth, if any remain, are removed, the implants are placed, and impressions or scans guide the fitting of your provisional fixed teeth.
You go home the same day with a working set. There is some swelling and soreness for a few days, managed with ordinary pain relief, and you stick to soft foods while everything settles. Over the following months your bone fuses to the implants, a process called osseointegration, and once it is solid the final teeth are made and fitted. After that, you care for them much like natural teeth, with brushing, cleaning underneath, and regular check-ups.
What does Smile in a Day cost?
Full-arch implant treatment is a significant investment, and UK prices reflect the surgery, the implants, and two sets of teeth. As a broad guide, a single full arch in the UK typically runs into the low to mid five figures, with both arches higher again. Exact figures depend on your scan, the number of implants, and the materials chosen, so a fixed quote only follows a proper assessment. Finance options can spread the cost, and you can see the practice’s finance plans for how that works.
FAQ
Do I really get teeth on the same day?
Yes, but they are a provisional fixed set, not your final teeth. On the day of surgery the implants are placed and a fixed temporary bridge is fitted on top, so you leave with a working smile and never go home without teeth. Your final, stronger set is made and fitted a few months later, once the bone has healed around the implants.
Is Smile in a Day the same as All-on-4?
Essentially, yes. All-on-4 is the technique of supporting a full arch of teeth on four angled implants, sometimes six, and Smile in a Day describes the patient experience of receiving fixed teeth on the day of surgery. At 72 Dental in Coulsdon the two terms describe the same treatment, planned and placed by the in-house implant team.
Will it hurt?
The surgery is done under local anaesthetic, so you feel no pain during the procedure, and sedation is available if you are anxious. Afterwards, expect some swelling and soreness for several days, which ordinary pain relief manages well. Most patients report the recovery is more comfortable than they feared, especially compared with the years of trouble that led them to treatment.
Can anyone have full-arch implants?
Not everyone. You need enough jawbone for the angled implants, reasonable general health, and any gum disease treated first. Heavy smoking and some medical conditions affect healing and may rule treatment out or need managing. A consultation with a scan is the only way to know for certain. Dr Raman Sandhu and the implant team assess each case individually before recommending anything.
How long do the implants last?
Dental implants are designed as a long-term replacement and, with good cleaning and regular check-ups, the implants themselves can last many years, often decades. The teeth attached to them may need maintenance or eventual replacement over time, much like anything that does daily work. Looking after them properly and attending reviews gives them the best chance of lasting.
What to do next
If you are tired of failing teeth or a loose denture, the first step is finding out whether full-arch implants suit your case. 72 Dental in Coulsdon will scan your jaw, explain your realistic options, and give you a clear plan and quote before you commit to anything.
Call 020 8660 3308 or visit the dental implants page to learn more, or book through the contact page.
