You’ve lost most of your upper or lower teeth, you’ve started digging into full-arch options, and the same two names keep popping up on every clinic’s website. So what’s really different between All-on-4 and All-on-6, and do those two extra implants actually make a difference in the end result? The short answer: yes, sometimes — but not always in the way the marketing would have you believe. Here’s an honest, side-by-side look at how the All-on-4 and All-on-6 techniques really compare.
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What does each treatment actually mean?
Both are full-arch dental implant solutions: a fixed bridge of 10 to 14 teeth, secured with screws onto titanium implants set into the jawbone. The number in each name simply refers to how many implants hold that arch in place — and that’s the first obvious distinction between All-on-4 and All-on-6.
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In All-on-4, the entire bridge rests on just four implants per jaw, with the two rear ones tilted at roughly 30 to 45 degrees to anchor into more bone. All-on-6 takes a different approach: six implants share the load along the arch, typically with two additional fixtures set further back.
Why does the number of implants matter?
More implants mean more anchor points, and that shifts three things at once: how chewing forces get distributed, how much bone is actually engaged, and how the bridge holds up over decades of daily use. This is the structural difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6 that patients rarely hear spelled out. Four implants can absolutely hold a full bridge securely — long-term studies going back to the late 1990s have shown as much. Six implants, though, build in redundancy. Should one fixture ever fail, five are still there carrying the load.
Who is All-on-4 designed for?
All-on-4 was designed with one group in mind: patients facing moderate to advanced bone loss who’d rather not go through grafting. The trick lies in angling the back implants, which lets the surgeon anchor them in the denser bone toward the front of the jaw while bypassing the sinus area on the upper arch altogether. For plenty of UK patients who’ve spent years in dentures and watched their bone height shrink, it’s often the only fixed solution that sidesteps a sinus lift or bone graft.
It also tends to be quicker. Surgery is usually completed in a single day, and a temporary fixed bridge is fitted within 24 to 72 hours, which is where the same-day implant concept comes from.
When is All-on-6 the better choice?
All-on-6 works well for patients who still have a decent amount of bone left, especially in the upper jaw, where the bone tends to be softer by nature. Those two additional implants spread the load more evenly across the molar area—something that really comes into play if you grind your teeth or bite down hard. It’s another practical point to think about when weighing up All-on-4 versus All-on-6.
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Specialists often recommend six implants for the upper arch since the maxilla isn’t as dense as the mandible. In the lower jaw, four implants will usually do the job—the bone there is harder and holds onto the fixtures more securely.
How do recovery and surgery compare?
Both procedures are carried out under local anaesthetic, with sedation available if you’d prefer it. Most patients liken the discomfort during the first three to five days to having a wisdom tooth out — easily managed with paracetamol and ibuprofen. Any swelling usually settles within a week.
The healing period before your final zirconia or porcelain bridge goes in is about the same either way—three to six months, give or take, while the implants fuse with the bone. In the meantime, you’ll wear a fixed temporary bridge and stick to soft foods.
What about cost?
The price gap between All-on-4 and All-on-6 comes down to the additional implants, abutments and time spent in the chair. In the UK, a single implant usually runs £2,000–£2,500, which means a full-arch case done privately in Britain can climb to £15,000–£25,000 per jaw. Costs abroad tend to be lower, though the actual figure depends on your bone quality, the implant brand and the bridge material you choose. For a proper quote you’ll need an examination — there’s more detail on the full mouth dental implants page.
Which lasts longer?
Both achieve strong survival rates above 94% at ten years when placed by experienced surgeons using well-established systems like Straumann, Nobel Biocare or Osstem. Where All-on-4 and All-on-6 really differ over the long run is in redundancy. Lose a single implant on an All-on-4 and the entire bridge typically has to come out for rework. With All-on-6, the bridge often keeps working while the failed implant is replaced.
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How do you decide which one suits you?
It comes down to four things, and your surgeon will assess each one with a CBCT scan:
- Bone volume and density in the jaw
- Whether you grind or clench your teeth
- Upper arch versus lower arch
- Your budget and how much grafting you want to avoid
If you’re still trying to decide between All-on-4 and All-on-6 for your own mouth, don’t let price be the deciding factor — a professional assessment really is essential.
The honest aftercare point
Whichever route you choose, the job isn’t done the moment you land back home. You’ll still need a UK dentist or hygienist to review the bridge every six months, clean around the implants and keep an eye out for early signs of peri-implantitis. Before you travel, check that your local practice is willing to look after implants fitted overseas, most are happy to, but it’s worth a quick call to be sure.
At GençDental, we look after UK patients here in Istanbul. Send us your X-ray or a few recent photos, and we’ll put together a free, no-obligation treatment plan that walks you through how All-on-4 compares to All-on-6 for your particular case — and whether a different approach might actually suit your mouth better.
Is All-on-6 always better than All-on-4?
No. All-on-6 gives more support and redundancy, but All-on-4 is often the right choice when bone volume is limited or you want to avoid grafting. The best option depends on your scan, not on the higher number.
Can I switch from All-on-4 to All-on-6 later?
Not really. Once implants are placed and a bridge is fitted, adding two more fixtures is complicated and usually means redesigning the whole bridge. It’s better to choose the right option from the start after a CBCT scan.
Is the surgery painful?
Surgery itself is done under local anaesthetic with optional sedation, so you don’t feel it. Afterwards, most patients manage with standard painkillers for three to five days. Swelling and bruising can last about a week.
Do I get teeth the same day?
Usually yes. Both All-on-4 and All-on-6 cases typically receive a fixed temporary bridge within 24 to 72 hours of surgery. The final zirconia or porcelain bridge is fitted three to six months later once the implants have integrated.
Will my UK dentist look after the bridge?
Most NHS and private practices are happy to clean and check implant bridges placed abroad. Confirm this with your GP or dentist before you travel and book a hygienist appointment for around six weeks after your final bridge is fitted.
