Guide
All-on-4 vs All-on-6: how the number of implants is chosen
Both give you a fixed arch of teeth that doesn't come out. The difference is how many implants hold it — and that should be decided by your bone and your bite, not by a package.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, DMD · Updated
The same treatment, a different number of implants
All-on-4 and All-on-6 both replace every tooth in an arch with one fixed bridge screwed onto implants. In All-on-4, four implants carry the bridge: two straight at the front and two angled at the back. In All-on-6, two more implants are added, usually toward the back.
The bridge looks and works the same either way. What changes is how the chewing load is shared, and what happens if one implant ever has a problem.
When four implants make sense
- The bone is limited toward the back of the jaw, and angling the back implants avoids a graft or a sinus procedure
- The bone in the front of the jaw is firm enough to hold four implants securely
- The bite and the opposing teeth don't put unusual force on the bridge
Fewer implants can also mean a shorter surgery. Four is not a shortcut when the plan supports it; it is a well-established design.
When six implants make sense
- There is enough bone to place six without extra procedures
- The bite is heavy, the person clenches or grinds, or the opposing arch is also on implants
- Spreading the load more widely gives the bridge a better margin if one implant ever needs attention
More implants is not automatically better. Each one needs bone to go into and has to be kept clean for life. The extra two should earn their place.
Why the scan decides
A 3D CBCT scan shows where the bone is, how dense it is, and where the sinus and nerves sit. Dr. Rodriguez plans the implants on that scan, and the number follows from it. That's why an honest answer to "four or six?" comes after the scan, not before.
At Perla, the consultation for full-arch treatment is free and includes the scan. See All-on-4 dental implants in Miami for how treatment works.
Questions to ask at any consultation
- How many implants does my plan use, and why that number?
- Will I need any bone grafting or a sinus procedure?
- Will I have fixed teeth within 24 hours, and what happens if the implants aren't stable enough on the day?
- What is the provisional bridge made of, and what will the final one be made of?
- Who does the surgery, and who makes the final teeth?
- What maintenance will I need, and how often will the bridge be removed for cleaning?
FAQs
Is All-on-6 stronger than All-on-4?
Does All-on-6 cost more?
Can I choose six if the plan says four?
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