All-on-4 vs All-on-6: your questions answered
The questions people ask us most, answered as plainly as we can.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026The short version: both four and six implants can give you a full arch of fixed teeth that lasts many years with good care. Six spreads the load and keeps a margin; four needs less bone and often avoids grafting. Research shows similar survival. Your 3D scan, your bite and your health decide which suits you.
Each answer links to the page that covers it in detail. Can't see your question? Ask us.
More detail
- All-on-4® explained and All-on-6 explained
- Bone loss and grafting
- What if an implant fails?
- Success rates and research
- How the choice changes the cost
Common questions
What's the difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6?
The number of implants holding a full arch of fixed teeth: four or six. With four, the back two are usually tilted to reach better bone. With six, implants are spread further along the jaw, which needs more bone.
Which is better, All-on-4 or All-on-6?
Neither for everyone. Reviews found no significant difference in implant or bridge survival. One upper-jaw review found less bone loss with six. The right choice depends on your scan.
Can I switch from four to six later?
Sometimes extra implants can be added later, but the bridge usually has to be remade to fit them. It's better to decide on the number before treatment.
How long do All-on-4 and All-on-6 last?
With good care, the implants can last many years; there's no lifetime guarantee. The teeth on top wear and may need repair or replacement. Daily cleaning and check-ups matter most.
Is All-on-6 more painful than All-on-4?
There are two more implant sites, so there may be a little more swelling in the first days. Most people find the recovery similar.
Do I need a bone graft for All-on-6?
Sometimes, if the back of the jaw has shrunk. Four implants with tilted back implants can often avoid a graft. A 3D scan shows which applies to you.
Will I have teeth on the day?
Often within days, with both options: a temporary fixed bridge, if the implants are firm enough. Otherwise a temporary denture is used while they heal.
How much more does All-on-6 cost?
Usually a little more. At Precious Dental the difference is £500 for both jaws. Elsewhere, compare itemised quotes for both.
Can I get All-on-4 or All-on-6 on the NHS?
Rarely. The NHS says implants are usually only available privately, except for some people who can't wear dentures, for example after mouth cancer or an accident.
Is All-on-4 a brand?
All-on-4® is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare. Many clinics use the term for any four-implant full arch. Ask which implant brand will be used. This site isn't affiliated with Nobel Biocare.
What should I ask my dentist?
How many implants per jaw and why, shown on your scan; which brand; whether you need a graft; what the bridge is made of; what happens if an implant fails; and what's included in the price.
Who writes this site?
Precious Dental, a dental clinic in Antalya that offers both options. We benefit if you choose us, and we say so on every page. Medical content is reviewed by our implant dentist.
Sources
- Polido et al. (2018), Clinical Oral Implants Research — Number of implants placed for complete-arch fixed prostheses: systematic review and meta-analysis
- Sharaf et al. (2024), Heliyon — Four or six implants for maxillary fixed prostheses: systematic review and meta-analysis
- NHS — Dental treatments (implants usually only available privately)
- Oral Health Foundation — Understanding dental implants
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Only a scan can settle it.
Send us an X-ray or scan if you have one. A dentist will tell you which option suits your bone, and say so honestly if neither is the right step.