All-on-6® is a modern approach to full-arch tooth replacement that combines predictable implant technology with practical, everyday benefits. Rather than relying on removable dentures, this protocol uses six dental implants per arch to support a fixed, prosthetic bridge that looks, feels, and functions much like natural teeth. Patients often choose All-on-6® to regain stability for chewing, clearer speech, and the confidence that comes with a secure smile. At Draper Dental, we focus on clear explanations and careful planning so patients understand how this treatment can fit into their lives.
The core advantage of All-on-6® is stability. By anchoring a full-arch prosthesis to six strategically positioned implants, the restoration resists movement and improves load distribution across the jaw. This means everyday activities—like eating a favorite meal or speaking clearly—become easier and more comfortable than they are with traditional removable dentures. The design also eliminates the need for messy adhesives and the daily removal routine associated with conventional prostheses.
Beyond immediate comfort, the implants help preserve the underlying bone. When implants are placed and successfully integrate with the jawbone, they provide the stimulation bone tissue needs to maintain its shape and density. This physiological benefit helps reduce the facial changes that often develop after long-term tooth loss and denture wear, supporting both oral health and facial aesthetics over time.
Because the prosthesis is fixed in place, patients typically report a more natural oral sensation. Food textures are easier to interpret, and the prosthetic arch delivers consistent bite force that supports more efficient chewing. For many people, the combined improvements in function and comfort translate into notable gains in quality of life—allowing them to enjoy a wider variety of foods and social situations with less concern about prosthesis movement.
A successful All-on-6® treatment begins with comprehensive diagnostic planning. This starts with a clinical exam and three-dimensional imaging to evaluate bone volume, jaw anatomy, and sinus position. These scans guide implant placement and allow the dental team to design a restoration that matches facial proportions and bite relationships. Thorough planning reduces surprises during surgery and helps ensure the implants are positioned for long-term stability.
On the day of surgery, the six implants are placed in predetermined positions to maximize support and balance across the arch. In many cases, a temporary prosthesis is attached the same day or shortly after, giving patients immediate function while the implants integrate with the bone. Over the following months, the implants undergo osseointegration—the biological process where bone bonds tightly to the implant surface—creating a durable foundation for the final restoration.
Once osseointegration is complete, the temporary prosthesis is replaced with a carefully crafted permanent bridge. This final restoration is designed for strength, esthetics, and comfort, using materials selected to withstand normal chewing forces while closely matching tooth color and shape. Throughout the process, adjustments are made as needed to optimize the bite and ensure a harmonious fit in the mouth.
All-on-6® is an excellent option for people who have lost most or all of their teeth, or whose remaining teeth are not salvageable due to advanced dental disease, extensive decay, or severe wear. It is also a viable solution for those who find removable dentures uncomfortable or unstable. Because the approach uses six implants, it can offer broader distribution of support and greater prosthetic stability—advantages that may be particularly helpful for patients with moderate bone loss.
Patient suitability depends on overall health, bone quality, and oral conditions. A thorough evaluation helps determine whether bone grafting or additional procedures are necessary before implant placement. In many cases, careful planning and the use of contemporary implant designs reduce the need for extensive grafting, but individual anatomy varies. Clear communication about expectations, healing times, and the treatment timeline helps patients prepare mentally and practically for the process.
Recovery after implant placement typically includes a short period of soreness and mild swelling, managed with standard aftercare measures and pain control when needed. Follow-up visits allow the clinical team to monitor healing and make any interim adjustments. Over the long term, patients who commit to consistent oral hygiene and regular professional checkups can maintain their All-on-6® restorations for many years, enjoying renewed function and a stable smile.
Compared with traditional removable dentures, All-on-6® delivers a fixed, non-removable solution that minimizes slipping and improves bite stability. Unlike single-tooth implants or multiple individual implants supporting separate crowns, the All-on-6® method reconstructs the entire arch with a single prosthesis, which can simplify restorative planning and streamline maintenance for the patient. The fixed nature of the prosthesis often makes daily life more predictable and comfortable.
All-on-6® can also offer advantages over approaches that use fewer implants. With six implants supporting the arch, clinicians can achieve a wider base of support and potentially better distribution of chewing forces. This can be beneficial in cases where bone density varies across the jaw or when the restorative plan requires a robust platform for larger prosthetic frameworks. Each case benefits from personalized assessment to determine the optimum number and placement of implants.
That said, every treatment choice carries trade-offs. The decision between All-on-6®, All-on-4, individual implants, or removable options should be informed by clinical findings, patient goals, and lifestyle considerations. A guided conversation with a restorative team helps match a patient’s priorities—such as permanence, esthetics, or simplicity—to the most appropriate solution for their oral health needs.
Long-term success with All-on-6® depends on routine care and regular dental follow-up. Daily oral hygiene—brushing, cleaning under the prosthetic arch where possible, and using adjunctive tools like interdental brushes or water flossers—helps control plaque and reduces the risk of peri-implant inflammation. Professional maintenance typically includes periodic examinations, hygiene visits, and X-rays as needed to monitor bone health around the implants.
Addressing issues early makes a significant difference. If a patient notices changes—such as sensitivity, discomfort, or differences in how the prosthesis fits—prompt consultation allows the dental team to evaluate and apply conservative remedies before problems progress. This proactive approach protects both the implants and the surrounding tissues, preserving function and appearance over time.
Finally, lifestyle factors influence outcomes. Quitting tobacco use, managing systemic conditions that affect healing, and following care recommendations from your dental provider all contribute to the durability of the restoration. With consistent home care and periodic professional oversight, many patients maintain stable, comfortable All-on-6® arches that support their oral health and quality of life for years to come.
In summary, All-on-6® offers a dependable pathway to restore a complete arch with a fixed, implant-supported prosthesis that prioritizes stability, comfort, and long-term oral health. The procedure is rooted in careful planning and modern implant techniques, and it can be tailored to meet individual functional and esthetic goals. If you’d like to learn more about whether All-on-6® is right for you, please contact us for more information.
All-on-6® is a full-arch tooth replacement method that secures a fixed prosthesis to six dental implants. The approach replaces an entire upper or lower arch with a single prosthetic bridge that is anchored to implants placed strategically along the jaw. Because the prosthesis is fixed, it does not require daily removal like conventional dentures and is designed to function and look like natural teeth.
The treatment emphasizes predictability and long-term support by increasing the number of implant fixtures used to carry load and stabilize the arch. This distribution of support can improve chewing efficiency and reduce prosthesis movement. Many patients choose All-on-6® to regain the confidence and comfort associated with a stable, permanent restoration.
All-on-6® restores function by anchoring a full-arch prosthesis to six implants that share biting forces across the jaw. The wider base of support helps the restoration resist tipping and micro-movement, so patients experience more consistent bite force and clearer speech than with removable prostheses. That stability makes it easier to eat a wider variety of foods and reduces concerns about slippage during daily activities.
Comfort improves because the prosthesis is fixed and does not press repeatedly against soft tissues in the same way removable dentures can. Implants also stimulate the jawbone, which helps preserve bone volume and facial contours over time. The combined benefits of stability and tissue preservation contribute to a more natural oral sensation and long-term comfort.
Good candidates are people who have lost most or all teeth in an arch or whose remaining teeth cannot be saved due to advanced disease, decay, or severe wear. Patients who struggle with unstable or uncomfortable dentures often benefit from a fixed implant-supported arch that eliminates the need for adhesives and frequent adjustments. Each candidate should be evaluated for overall health, oral conditions, and realistic treatment goals.
Medical factors such as uncontrolled diabetes, recent radiation therapy to the head or neck, or certain conditions that impair healing require careful consideration and coordination with a medical provider. Tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and untreated gum disease can affect implant success, so the care team will discuss risk mitigation and preoperative preparation. A thorough clinical exam and three-dimensional imaging determine whether All-on-6® is an appropriate, safe option.
The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a clinical exam, medical history review, and three-dimensional imaging such as CBCT to assess bone volume and anatomy. Treatment planning maps the optimal implant positions to support the prosthesis and often involves virtual planning tools to improve precision. Once a plan is finalized, surgery is scheduled to place the six implants in predetermined positions that balance support and esthetics.
On the day of implant placement a temporary prosthesis is frequently attached to provide immediate function and esthetics while the implants integrate with the bone. Osseointegration typically takes several months, during which healing is monitored with follow-up visits. After successful integration the temporary is replaced with a custom-designed permanent bridge that is adjusted for bite, comfort, and appearance at subsequent appointments at Draper Dental.
Initial recovery from implant surgery usually involves a few days to two weeks of soreness, mild swelling, and dietary adjustments while the soft tissues heal. Many patients return to normal light activities within a few days and follow specific oral hygiene and dietary instructions to protect the surgical sites. Pain and swelling are managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications and cold-compression techniques as recommended by the clinical team.
The temporary prosthesis often provides immediate function, but the final, permanent bridge is placed after the implants have fully osseointegrated, which commonly takes three to six months depending on individual healing. During this period the team monitors integration through clinical checks and imaging and makes any necessary adjustments to the provisional restoration. Once the final prosthesis is delivered it is fine-tuned for optimal fit, bite balance, and esthetics to ensure long-term comfort and function.
All-on-6® and All-on-4® are both full-arch concepts that use multiple implants to support a fixed prosthesis, but the primary difference is the number of implants used and the resulting distribution of support. All-on-6® places six implants to create a broader foundation that can improve load distribution and prosthetic stability, especially in cases with variable bone quality. All-on-4® relies on angled posterior implants to maximize available bone with fewer fixtures, which can be advantageous in some anatomical situations.
Individualized assessment determines the best approach because factors like bone volume, prosthetic goals, and patient health influence the recommended number of implants. Single-tooth implants or segmented restorations remain appropriate for isolated tooth loss and preserve natural teeth when feasible. A restorative consultation helps patients weigh permanence, maintenance, surgical complexity, and long-term prognosis when comparing options.
Bone volume and density are critical considerations for implant placement and are evaluated with three-dimensional imaging to map safe implant sites and avoid anatomic structures. Sufficient bone provides primary stability for implants, which supports osseointegration and long-term success. In areas with moderate bone loss, the planning team may use implant angulation, varied implant lengths, or specialized implant designs to optimize outcomes without immediate grafting.
When bone deficiency is significant, bone grafting or ridge augmentation may be recommended to rebuild the ridge and provide a stable foundation for implants. Grafting options range from small localized procedures to more comprehensive reconstructions, and timing may be staged before or combined with implant placement depending on the case. Your clinician will explain the findings, grafting alternatives, and the expected healing timeline so you can make informed decisions about the overall treatment plan.
Common risks associated with implant treatment include infection, peri-implant inflammation, failure of osseointegration, and prosthetic complications such as screw loosening or wear of the prosthetic teeth. Nerve injury and sinus involvement are rare but possible when anatomy is near implant sites, which is why thorough imaging and careful surgical planning are essential. Smoking, uncontrolled systemic disease, and poor oral hygiene increase the likelihood of complications and are addressed before and after treatment.
Early detection and timely intervention are key to managing complications. Treatment may include targeted hygiene measures, professional cleaning, antibiotic therapy, prosthetic adjustments, or in some cases, implant revision. Regular follow-up appointments and adherence to postoperative instructions greatly improve the ability to identify issues early and apply conservative measures that protect the implants and surrounding tissues.
Daily home care is essential for long-term success and includes thorough brushing of the prosthetic teeth and careful cleaning at the implant-tissue interface using interdental brushes, floss designed for implants, or a water flosser. Removing plaque and food debris around the implant collars reduces the risk of peri-implant mucositis and bone loss. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine and attending scheduled hygiene visits are fundamental preventive steps.
Professional maintenance typically includes periodic examinations, hygiene appointments that address the prosthesis and implants, and radiographic monitoring of bone levels as recommended by the clinician. Lifestyle factors such as quitting tobacco use and managing systemic health conditions also support implant longevity. If you notice changes like bleeding, mobility, or persistent discomfort, contact our team at Draper Dental promptly so the problem can be evaluated and managed before it progresses.
The consultation begins with a review of your medical and dental history, a clinical examination, and diagnostic imaging such as CBCT to assess jaw anatomy and bone volume. Photographs and impressions or digital scans may be taken to help design the prosthesis and visualize esthetic outcomes. The clinician will discuss your goals, functional needs, and any concerns to align the treatment plan with your expectations.
Based on the findings the team will explain recommended steps, expected timelines for surgery and healing, and the clinical reasons for selecting a specific implant strategy. You will receive information about preoperative preparation, postoperative care, and follow-up scheduling so you understand what to expect throughout the process. If appropriate, the plan may be tailored to address additional needs such as extractions or grafting, and next steps will be clearly outlined during the visit at our office in Draper, UT.
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