What is Right for You: All-on-6 or All-on-4 Dental Implants?

By - Rohit
15.08.2018 17:45:00
What is Right for You: All-on-6 or All-on-4 Dental Implants

All-on-4 or All-on-6 which one is Better?

All-on Implant Methods

All-on procedures are cutting-edge approaches in Dental Implant Treatment. As the names suggests, All-on-4 and All-on-6 implant systems involves surgically placement of either 6 or 4 titanium based dental implants in a strategic position and pattern inside the jaw bones so as to act as safe anchors for the fully-artificial top and/or bottom dental prosthesis.

If you are looking for replacing many of the missing teeth or all the teeth in either of the jaws or both the jaws, "All on 4" and "All on 6" treatment procedures will be the point of discussion with the Dentist most of the times. Though both the treatment concepts appear to be very similar and look to achieve similar results, they have some key difference in the procedures. The present article is written with a view to highlight the similarities and differences between the two treatment concepts.

The Treatment Basics

Both All on 6 and All on 4 are treatment solutions for patients looking to replace almost all the teeth in a single jaw or both the jaws. Both treatment protocols involve surgical placements of Dental Implants in the jaw.  The Dental Implants placed are the foundations for support to fixed teeth. As the name denotes the term "All on" denotes replacement of all the teeth (generally first molar to first molar). Imagine all your Implants connected to each other to support the missing teeth, which is essentially more important than replacing each missing tooth with an Implant. All on 6 works on the same basis replacing the missing teeth, joined together over 6 Implants instead of 4 Implants joined together in All on 4.

Difference Between Both Procedures

One of the obvious difference is the number of Implants placed in the jaw. All on 6 utilizes 6 Implants while All on 4 utilizes 4 Implants. The decision to choose a particular procedure is often based on clinical and radiological expertise of a Dental practice.

We at ADC, believe and recommend that All on 6 procedures definitely provides better strength and stability. Patients report of more comfort and better longevity with 6 Implants instead of 4. Patients must understand that every time they bite, the pressure has to be evenly dispersed on Implants for which placement of additional 2 Implants provides significant strength, retention, stability and long term benefit. 4 is the minimum number but definitely not the best.

Patients with compromised bone structure in the posterior region (Back tooth region) are often the preferred choices for All on 4 procedure to avoid extensive bone grafting procedure which can be expensive and time consuming.

Which One is Best for You?

Both All on 6 and All on 4 Implant Treatment Protocols offer great permanent solutions to people to replace and regain their lost smiles. Ask your dentist which procedure does he/she recommend "All on 6" or "All on 4"? Do not hesitate in asking the question "Why"?

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The Advantages of All-on-6 Dental Implants

All-on-6 offers all the extraordinary benefits of All-on-4 but with one fundamental difference. All-on-6 is the surgical implantation of 6 implants instead of 4 in the upper and lower jaws, which may be deemed to be a more suitable option in special cases or based on the specific needs of a particular patient.


  • Extra Stability

Prosthodontists prefer the All-on-6 protocol as it can provide even greater strength and stability for some patients. Depending on the condition of the mouth, gums, and jawbone, it may be determined that the patient would be best served by the additional two implants in an All-on-6 procedure instead of an All-on-4 procedure.

  • Enhanced Jaw Support

The additional two implants of the All-on-6 system further stimulate the jawbone, providing increased protection against bone density loss over the long term. In cases where bone density loss is deemed to be of greater concern, this method can provide the extra assurance and peace of mind for the patient that their replacement teeth will remain solid and secure for many years to come.

  • Eating Is Enhanced 

Once meticulously placed, All-on-6 dental implants will exhibit superior strength and durability, and dramatically facilitate improvement in one’s eating ability over the long term. What’s more, unlike the dentures the All-on-6 design does not use OverDentures nor does it cover the roof of one’s mouth, so not only will chewing become effortless, your palate will also savour more natural flavours. 

The Advantages of All-on-4 Dental Implants

All-on-4 is a revolutionary technique that offers brilliant results to patients. But, precisely what are the reasons that make All-on-4 so popular?

  • Completely Restores The Smile 

All-on-4 gives patients with long term denture wearers and tooth decay something to smile about. The innovative method restores one’s smile, facial structure, and muscle tone after bone loss, chronic tooth decay or infection.. Offering unrestricted use of one’s teeth and mouth again is an integral feature of All-on-4, greatly enhancing one’s quality of life. Furthermore, your new set of teeth will be uniform, gleaming, and quite perfect, resulting in greater self-confidence.

  • One Single Treatment

Unlike traditional implants, which require a minimum of six months to heal and fuse with the Jaw bone, the All-on-4 system produces results in a very short and convenient timeframe. Patients receive immediate, new, functional set of teeth in one same-day, prompting a smile on the same day.

  • No Bone Graft, For the Most Part

Bone grafting or Sinus Lifts may be necessary when a patient’s jaw has been determined to not be capable of supporting a dental implant. The bone graft procedure mandates an extended healing time to provide the required bone density improvement to the patients jaw. However, thanks to the advanced techniques used to perform the All-on-4 procedure, the most vulnerable areas in a patient’s jawbone are easily isolated, reducing or even eliminating the need for a graft.

  • Pleasantly Affordable 

Cost is a significant factor in one’s commitment to dental implant treatment. ADC works with our patients to provide easy financing alternatives in the event that insurance coverage does not sufficiently account for dental implant procedures of this nature. To get a better idea of what the cost of an All-on-4 procedure will look like, contact our office today to arrange for your no-obligation consultation and have all your questions answered.

Getting Started With A Full-Mouth Restoration

If you or someone you love is experiencing the troubles of deteriorating health due to multiple lost or missing teeth, there’s no time to waste in getting the treatment needed to restore the mouth and regain full function. The process is straightforward, and it all starts with a comprehensive consultation and examination. The best way to find out answers to all your questions and get a clear picture of what the All-on-4 or All-on-6 treatment will mean for you is to contact the team here at ADC™- Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry. Our friendly team of expert dental health professionals will guide you through the entire process, and let you know exactly what you can expect at each step along the way. We’re here to help you regain a higher quality of life and better overall well-being with a new, beautiful smile.

If you have any more questions or look to learn more about "All on 6" or "All on 4" procedures, please write back to us

Contact us today to book your consultation. We look forward to seeing you soon!