All-on-4 vs All-on-6 Dental Implants Both replace a full arch of teeth using fixed implants — and both can be loaded with teeth on the day of surgery. The number refers to how many implants support the prosthesis. Neither is automatically the better choice.
IMPLADENT, MALAD MUMBAI
The Clinical Decision "All-on-4 works well for most patients. All-on-6 comes into the picture when the bone quality or arch length calls for extra support. It's a clinical decision, not a preference. The CBCT scan tells you which one the case needs." — Dr. Sonia Butta, Prosthodontist & Implantologist, Impladent
What determines which one goes in is the patient's bone volume, bite load, and jaw anatomy — not a general preference for one system over another.
What Actually Differs? The core difference is biomechanical. More implants mean more contact points under the prosthesis, which changes how bite forces are distributed. Feature
All-on-4
All-on-6
Implants per arch
4
6
Bone requirement
Lower — suited for bone loss
Higher — more bone volume needed
Angled placement
Two rear implants tilted
More upright positioning possible
Force distribution
Wider spans between implants
More contact points, less span stress
Bone grafting
Rarely needed
Occasionally required
Same-day teeth
Yes, in most cases
Yes, in most cases
ALL-ON-4
Angled Rear Implants Two front implants sit vertical. Two rear implants are placed at 30–45° angles to maximize contact with available bone and avoid nerves or the sinus.
Designed for reduced bone volume
Survival rates above 98%
Bone grafting rarely needed
ALL-ON-6
Two More Points of Contact Six implants allow more upright placement and shorter prosthetic spans between fixtures — translating to less bending stress and better load distribution across the arch.
Ideal for higher bite forces
Suited for longer arch length
More bone volume required
Bone Volume Is the Deciding Factor All-on-4 Patients with significant posterior bone loss are usually better suited here. The angled design avoids reduced-bone areas without needing a graft first.
All-on-6 Patients need adequate bone across a longer stretch of the arch. More implants require more bone — a CBCT scan confirms whether grafting is needed.
Survival rates are comparable when CBCT planning and surgical protocols are followed precisely. The difference shows up in how each handles bite pressure, not in how well implants fuse with the jawbone.
What Else to Know Before Deciding Cost
Maintenance
Upper & Lower Arch
All-on-6 typically costs more — two
Once the final prosthesis is in, care
Neither system is restricted to one jaw. Both
additional implants and potentially more
protocols are identical. Interdental
are used for upper and lower arch
bone preparation. Get a breakdown for both
brushes, water flossers, and six-monthly
rehabilitation depending on bone availability
options during consultation.
reviews apply to both.
and bite requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions Is All-on-4 or All-on-6 better? Neither is universally better. Bone volume and bite load
Can I get teeth the same day with All-on6?
decide which suits you.
Yes. Both All-on-4 and All-on-6 support same-day provisional teeth in most cases.
Does All-on-6 need bone grafting?
How long do All-on-4 implants last?
Sometimes. More implants need more bone. A CBCT scan
With proper care, All-on-4 implants are designed to last a
confirms whether grafting is needed.
lifetime.
Why Choose Impladent? Dr. Sonia Butta
Dr. Glenn Mascarenhas
Nearly 3 decades of experience. MClinDent Prosthodontics
Founder, Impladent®. MClinDent
(Distinction), King's College
qualified from King's College
London. Fellow, Indian Society of
London. Surgical & prosthetic
Oral Implantologists.
expertise under one roof.
CBCT-Guided Planning Every case evaluated individually with digital prosthetic design. Written treatment plan before any surgery begins.
Still Unsure Which Is Right for You? A CBCT scan gives you the answer. Implant count is only one part of the picture — your case may need a broader treatment plan evaluated individually.
Call Now 022 3142 4745
Book an Appointment Consultation & CBCT scan available at Impladent, Malad West
This content is for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified implantologist for an accurate evaluation and personalized treatment plan.