Picking Your Full-Arch Bridge
The implants are the foundation; the bridge is what you see and chew with. How our three materials compare, and how Dr Sharma helps you decide.
Which Material Is Best for a Full-Arch Implant Bridge?
There's no single best; it comes down to budget, bite and how long you want the teeth to last before any rework. In Hamilton we offer acrylic at £12,500 per arch (light, cheapest, easy to mend), solid zirconia at £15,000 (hard-wearing and stain-proof) and zirconia on a titanium bar at £18,500 (strongest, and the most lifelike). The implants and surgery are identical under all three.
Start with What Stays the Same
Whichever bridge you pick, the work underneath doesn't change. You get the same CT planning, the same MegaGen AnyRidge implants, the same guided surgery and the same fixed temporary teeth on surgery day where the bone allows. 2 The material only comes into play about three months later, when the permanent bridge is made from a digital scan.
So the choice isn't for ever: the implants can carry more than one bridge over their life.
Acrylic: Light and Repairable
Denture-grade acrylic teeth are set into pink acrylic gum, with a reinforced metal frame running through the middle for stiffness. It's the lightest of the three, and a chipped tooth can usually be mended at the chair.
The trade-off is wear. Acrylic is softer than enamel, so biting edges flatten and tea or red wine can stain it, and most need their teeth renewing eventually. At £12,500 per arch it's the sensible first bridge for a lot of people.
Hold the Samples Before You Choose
Dr Sharma will show you all three at a free consultation in Hamilton.
Zirconia: Hard and Stain-Proof
Zirconia is a ceramic so tough it's used for hip joints. The bridge is milled from a single block, then shaded and glazed so the teeth have some translucency and the gum looks pink. It shrugs off coffee and barely wears.
It's heavier than acrylic and very rigid. On the rare occasion it does fracture, it can't be patched in the mouth and has to go back to the laboratory. At £15,000 per arch it's the step up most people take when they want teeth that look the same in ten years as on day one.
Titanium Bar: Strength Underneath
Here a titanium framework is milled by computer to sit exactly on your implants with no strain, and zirconia teeth are bonded onto it. The metal spine gives the bridge its strength, which helps on long spans and in people with a forceful bite. The zirconia gives you the most natural-looking finish of the three.
A damaged section can often be replaced without remaking the lot. It's our top option at £18,500 per arch.
At a Glance
| Feature | Acrylic | Zirconia | Titanium bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee per arch | £12,500 | £15,000 | £18,500 |
| Over the years | Edges wear down | Barely changes | Barely changes |
| Coffee and red wine | Can discolour | Resists stains | Resists stains |
| If a tooth chips | Often fixed same day | Back to the lab | Sections can be swapped |
| Often chosen by | First-time patients, tighter budgets | Those wanting low upkeep | Heavy biters, long spans |
All three are screwed in place.
Helping You Decide
Dr Sharma will ask about a few things before recommending one:
- What you're biting against. Natural teeth, a denture or another implant bridge each load the bridge differently.
- Clenching or grinding. A heavy bite is harder on acrylic and leans the choice towards the bar. A night guard protects any of them.
- Budget now and later. Acrylic costs less today; zirconia usually needs less spent on it over the years.
- Looks. If a natural finish matters most, the ceramic options win.
Your written plan states the chosen material and the fee before you go ahead. 1
Care Is the Same for All Three
Clean under the bridge every day with a water flosser, keep three-monthly hygiene visits, and wear a night guard if you grind. Our guide to everyday life with a full arch has the detail, and the All-on-4 explainer covers what sits underneath.
Questions
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to say what is right for your teeth.