What Are All on 6 Dental Implants?

You’ve lost most of your upper or lower teeth, your dentures wobble every time you try to eat, and someone down the pub happened to mention all on 6 dental implants. So now you’re sat there wondering what it really involves, whether it’s going to hurt, and if it’s actually the right answer for a mouth that’s seen better days. Here’s a plain British English walkthrough, minus the sales pitch.

The short version: all on 6 dental implants is a full-arch restoration where six titanium implants support a fixed bridge of teeth. You walk out of surgery with teeth in place. No taking them out at night. For most people dealing with serious tooth loss, it’s a real upgrade from removable dentures.

How does the all-on-6 technique actually work?

Across a single arch, whether upper or lower, the surgeon sets six implants into the jawbone. Two sit up front. The remaining four spread out toward the back, usually tilted so they anchor into denser bone and steer clear of the sinus. On the same day, or at least within 72 hours, a temporary fixed bridge gets screwed into place. Then comes the healing stretch of 3 to 6 months, during which osseointegration happens (that’s when the bone actually fuses to the titanium), and after that you get the final bridge, either zirconia or a hybrid.

Six implants distribute chewing load more evenly across the arch than four do. That’s the core clinical case for all on 6 dental implants, especially when your bone volume holds up and you’re after durability in the back molars, which take the heaviest bite forces.

Who is a good candidate?

Not everyone needs six. Honestly, four does the job for a lower jaw in many cases, whereas six works out better up top since the bone there is softer and you’ve got the sinus getting in the way. You’re likely a candidate for all on 6 dental implants if:

• You’ve lost most or all teeth in one arch, or the remaining teeth are failing.
• Your CBCT scan shows enough bone height and width, or you’re willing to have a small graft.
• You’re a non-smoker, or willing to stop around surgery.
• Your general health is stable, including any diabetes.

Failure rates climb for heavy smokers and diabetics whose blood sugar is all over the place, though that alone won’t get you turned away. If either sounds like you, take a look at implants for diabetics and implants for smokers.

All-on-6 vs all-on-4: what’s the real difference?

With four implants, you can bring back a full arch. Add two more anchors and you spread the load across six points instead, which tends to help long-term stability, particularly up top where the bone is softer. All-on-4 usually wins on speed and cost, and since the back implants are tilted, you often skip the graft altogether. All-on-6 wants a bit more bone to work with, but the payoff is stronger support toward the back of your prosthetic bridge. For the full rundown, take a look at this piece on the difference between all-on-4 and all-on-6.

Does it hurt?

The op itself is done under local anaesthetic, and yes, you can have sedation on top if that helps you relax. You’ll feel pressure while it’s happening, but not actual pain. Expect swelling, bruising and a dull ache for the first 3 to 5 days, though ibuprofen and paracetamol take the edge off nicely. Honestly, most people tell me it was easier than they’d built it up to be. Then it’s soft foods only for 6 to 8 weeks, giving the implants time to fuse with the bone.

How long does the whole process take?

From that first consultation right through to the final bridge, you’re looking at 3 to 6 months. If you’re flying in, the surgical trip itself runs about 5 to 7 days. Then you return for the permanent bridge after healing wraps up. For a fuller breakdown, check this piece on how long the dental implant process takes.

What about cost, and why is it cheaper in Turkey?

In the UK, you’re looking at roughly £2,000 to £2,500 per implant, which pushes a full arch on six implants somewhere between £14,000 and £25,000 in private practice. Turkey usually comes in 60 to 70 percent cheaper for the same work. What’s behind that gap? Cheaper lab work, lower staff wages and smaller property bills, not corners cut on quality. The serious clinics fit the same brands you’d get anywhere else, Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Osstem. Your own quote will depend on what an exam turns up, but the reasoning behind the price gap is laid out in why implants are cheaper in Turkey.

What does aftercare look like once you’re back in the UK?

Here’s the bit most blogs quietly gloss over. Every six months you’ll want a UK dentist or hygienist looking over the bridge, plus yearly periapical X-rays and a proper clean around the implants with the right instruments. Sort out a local dentist before you fly and let them know what you’re planning. The biggest long-term threat with all on 6 implants is peri-implantitis, that’s gum infection around the implant, and nine times out of ten it comes down to plaque rather than anything that happened in surgery. A water flosser makes a real difference.

How long do all-on-6 implants last?

Research puts implant survival past the 95 percent mark at the 10-year point, provided the placement is done right and you keep up with maintenance. Those titanium roots? They can stick around for decades. The bridge sitting on top is the part that actually wears down, and you’re probably looking at a refurbishment or a full swap somewhere between 10 and 15 years, earlier if grinding is an issue for you. Not sure if all on 6 dental implants is really the right call for your situation? You’ll want a proper professional assessment before deciding anything, and the all-on-6 service page walks through what the procedure actually involves.

What could go wrong?

Let’s be honest, no implant procedure comes without some level of risk. You might run into implant failure (somewhere around 1 to 5 percent), sinus complications with upper implants, a bit of temporary numbness in the nerves for lower ones, or mechanical hiccups like a chipped tooth on the bridge itself. Picking a seasoned oral surgeon and sticking to the aftercare guidance slashes most of those odds. Ask to see actual before-and-after cases, and look into what the surgeon actually specialises in, because implants sit firmly in surgical territory, not cosmetic.

If you’ve been quoted eye-watering numbers in the UK for all on 6 dental implants and want a second opinion, GençDental treats UK patients in Istanbul. Send your recent X-ray or a few clear photos of your smile and we’ll put together a free, no-obligation treatment plan and quote tailored to your bone, bite and budget.