All-on-4 vs All-on-6

Which Treatment Is Right for You?

Both All-on-4 and All-on-6 are proven, established treatments for replacing a full arch of missing teeth. Both provide fixed teeth. Both require two visits. Both have excellent long-term success rates when correctly planned. The decision between them is not simply about cost — it depends on your bone volume, bite forces, anatomy, and long-term expectations.

This guide explains the clinical difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6, how Elit Dental Clinic prices and structures each treatment, and what factors genuinely influence which option is most appropriate for you.

What Is the Difference Between All-on-4 and All-on-6 ?

The fundamental difference is the number of implants placed per jaw.

All-on-4 places four implants per jaw — two at the front of the arch, positioned vertically, and two towards the rear, angled at approximately 30 to 45 degrees. This angled placement maximises contact with available bone and reduces the need for grafting in patients with reduced posterior bone volume.

All-on-6 places six implants per jaw, distributing support more evenly across the arch. The additional two implants provide extra anchor points, which reduces the load carried by each individual implant and can improve biomechanical performance over time.

Neither treatment is universally superior. The correct choice depends on your clinical situation — specifically your bone quality, bone volume, bite forces, and long-term functional demands. A panoramic X-ray and a clinical examination are sufficient to guide an accurate initial recommendation for most patients.

Quick Comparison: All-on-4 vs All-on-6

Feature	All-on-4	All-on-6 ★ Recommended
Implants per jaw	4	6
Implants (full mouth)	8	12
Final restoration	20 Screw-Retained Zirconia Crowns	24 Elite Monolithic Zirconia Crowns
First visit cost	€3,500	€5,000
Second visit cost	€4,000	€4,500
Full mouth total	€7,500	€9,500
Surgery	Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon	Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Temporary teeth	Included (Visit One)	Included (Visit One)
Number of visits	2 Visits	2 Visits
Healing period	Between Visit One & Visit Two	Between Visit One & Visit Two

Bone Quality and Implant Suitability

Bone volume is one of the most important factors when choosing between the two treatments.

All-on-4 was designed specifically to work in jaws where posterior bone volume has reduced over time. The angled rear implants reach areas of denser, more available bone — meaning that patients who might otherwise require bone grafting can often proceed directly to treatment.

All-on-6 requires sufficient bone volume at six positions across the arch. Patients with well-preserved bone may benefit from the additional support that six implants provide, particularly if they have higher bite forces or are younger patients seeking maximum long-term structural support.

It is not possible to determine suitability from a photograph or a conversation alone. Sending your panoramic X-ray to Elit Dental Clinic is sufficient for the team to assess your bone quality and make an accurate initial recommendation. This step ensures your treatment plan is based on your anatomy — not on assumption.

Long-Term Load Distribution

Each implant carries a share of the biting forces transferred through your restoration. With four implants, each one bears a greater proportion of that load. With six, the load is distributed across more anchor points.

A peer-reviewed systematic analysis published in the Batna Journal of Medical Sciences (Houari et al., 2026) reviewed 16 clinical studies comparing both protocols. The findings reported osseointegration rates of 94.6% to 100% for both techniques, with overall implant survival exceeding 95% in most studies. Biological complications such as peri-implantitis were reported more frequently in All-on-4 configurations (10.3%) than in All-on-6 (1%) in some studies, and patient satisfaction remained high for both approaches, ranging from 86% to 97%.

All-on-6 may offer a slight advantage in situations involving higher biomechanical risk — such as bruxism (teeth grinding), extended cantilevers, or lower bone density — though the research notes this is not consistent across all studies. For many patients, All-on-4 performs excellently across decades of use.

Final Restorations: What You Receive

The permanent teeth fitted at your second visit differ between the two treatments.

All-on-4 at Elit Dental Clinic includes 20 individual screw-retained zirconia crowns. Because the teeth are individual units rather than a single bridge, any crown that requires servicing in the future can be addressed without replacing the entire restoration.

All-on-6 includes 24 Elite Monolithic Zirconia Crowns — again as individual units. The higher crown count reflects the greater arch coverage supported by six implants, and the Elite Monolithic Zirconia specification offers high strength and a natural translucency.

Individual screw-retained crowns are a significant practical advantage in both treatments. Your local dentist can manage routine maintenance without needing to return to Turkey.

What Is Included in Both Treatments

Regardless of which treatment you choose, both All-on-4 and All-on-6 at Elit Dental Clinic include:

• Surgery performed by an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
• Premium implant systems and premium multi-unit abutments
• Digital treatment planning
• 3Shape intraoral scanning
• Digital Smile Design
• CAD/CAM workflow
• In-house laboratory

Specialist surgical involvement matters. An Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon brings training specific to the jaw, bone anatomy, and the structural precision that full-arch implant surgery demands. This affects not just the outcome of the surgery itself, but the long-term position and stability of every implant placed.

Treatment Timeline: Two Visits, Fixed Teeth

Both treatments follow the same two-visit structure.

Visit One
Your implants are placed by the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. Before you leave the clinic, temporary fixed teeth are fitted. You return home with functioning teeth — not a removable denture, not a gap. The healing period then begins, during which osseointegration takes place: the implants fuse with your jawbone to create a permanent foundation.

Visit Two
Once healing is complete and osseointegration is confirmed, your permanent zirconia crowns are fitted. Your smile, bite, and function are finalised at this appointment.

Why Does All-on-6 Cost More?

The price difference between All-on-4 (€7,500) and All-on-6 (€9,500) reflects the additional treatment involved — not a higher margin.

All-on-6 includes:

• Four additional implants (12 total vs 8 total for full mouth)
• Four additional implant positions requiring surgical planning and placement
• Additional surgical time in theatre
• 24 zirconia crowns rather than 20
• More laboratory time and more restorative appointments

The €2,000 difference is a direct reflection of clinical work and materials. If your anatomy and clinical profile are equally suited to both treatments, this cost difference is worth considering. If your clinical profile indicates that six implants would better serve your long-term outcome, the additional investment addresses a genuine need.

Which Treatment May Be Right for You?

All-on-4 may be more appropriate if:

• Your posterior bone volume is reduced
• You want to avoid bone grafting procedures
• You have moderate functional demands
• Budget is an important factor in your decision

All-on-6 may be more appropriate if:

• Your bone volume is well-preserved across the full arch
• You have higher bite forces or a history of bruxism
• You are a younger patient seeking maximum long-term structural support
• You want the broadest possible load distribution across the arch

These are general indicators, not a diagnosis. Only a clinical assessment with imaging can confirm which treatment suits your jaw.

For a personalised recommendation, send your panoramic X-ray to Elit Dental Clinic. A panoramic X-ray is sufficient for the team to review your bone quality and advise which treatment is clinically appropriate for you — before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions