All-on-6® is a modern full-arch tooth replacement approach that secures a complete set of prosthetic teeth onto six strategically placed dental implants. Unlike traditional removable dentures that rest on the gums and rely on adhesives or suction, All-on-6® creates a fixed restoration that behaves much like natural teeth. The prosthesis is attached to the implants so it does not come out for nightly cleaning — patients care for it with daily brushing and routine dental visits, similar to how they maintain natural dentition.
The technique prioritizes stability and chewing efficiency. Using six implants spreads support across the jaw, which often improves load distribution during biting and can reduce movement when compared with fewer implants. This increased anchorage can lead to a more comfortable fit and greater confidence when eating, speaking, or laughing. The design also favors long-term function and can be tailored to restore one arch (upper or lower) or both.
All-on-6® is not a single product but a treatment philosophy that combines implant planning, prosthetic design, and surgical execution. Advances in implant design and digital planning tools allow clinicians to customize implant positions to the patient’s anatomy. That coordination between the surgical and restorative phases is what makes the All-on-6® solution distinct from removable options and from approaches that use a smaller number of implants.
One of the most immediate changes people report after receiving an All-on-6® restoration is improved chewing comfort. Because the prosthesis is securely anchored, patients can eat a wider range of foods without worrying about slipping or sore spots. This return of function often leads to a noticeable improvement in overall quality of life, including better nutrition and greater enjoyment of meals with friends and family.
Speech clarity is another common improvement. Dentures that move or shift can affect how sounds are formed, but a well-fitted All-on-6® prosthesis remains stable during conversation, which helps with articulation. Many patients also experience increased self-confidence because their teeth look natural and predictable in appearance; the prosthetic arch can be designed to match facial proportions and aesthetic goals while restoring proper bite relationships.
Maintenance is straightforward and fits into a familiar oral hygiene routine. Daily brushing with non-abrasive toothpaste, interdental cleaning where recommended, and regular professional checkups are the pillars of care. Because the prosthesis is permanent, the inconvenience of removing and soaking dentures is eliminated, simplifying daily routines for many people.
Candidacy for All-on-6® depends on several clinical factors rather than age alone. Patients who have lost most or all teeth, who experience significant denture instability, or who desire a fixed solution for full-arch replacement commonly consider this option. A healthy oral environment, manageable medical conditions, and adequate jawbone quality are important considerations for predictable results.
Assessment begins with a comprehensive exam that includes a review of medical history, oral soft tissues, and the condition of remaining teeth. Modern imaging — typically three-dimensional scans — allows the dental team to evaluate bone volume, nerve positions, and sinus anatomy. Those imaging results are used to determine whether six implants can be placed with appropriate spacing and angulation to support a long-lasting restoration.
If bone volume is limited in certain areas, the All-on-6® approach still may be possible because the additional implants give clinicians more flexibility in choosing stable anchorage points. In some cases a small grafting procedure is recommended, but many patients can proceed without extensive preparatory surgery. The goal of the evaluation is to create a personalized plan that balances surgical feasibility with aesthetic and functional goals.
Treatment with All-on-6® is typically staged to prioritize comfort and healing while delivering functional teeth as efficiently as possible. The process usually begins with planning and imaging, followed by the surgical placement of six implants in the jaw. Depending on the case, patients may receive a provisional prosthesis the same day or shortly afterward to restore immediate function and appearance while the implants integrate with the bone.
Integration, often described as the implants bonding with the jawbone, is a critical phase that generally takes several months. During this period, the provisional prosthesis allows patients to eat and speak while the tissues heal. Periodic follow-up visits monitor healing, check soft-tissue contours, and ensure the implants are stabilizing as expected. Once integration is confirmed, the provisional can be replaced with a final, precision-made prosthesis crafted to meet aesthetic and functional goals.
The final prosthesis can be crafted from a variety of durable materials and is designed to withstand daily use while delivering a natural appearance. Because every plan is individualized, the exact timeline varies; your clinician will outline the anticipated stages and recovery expectations before treatment begins. Pain and swelling are usually manageable with standard post-operative care and medication when indicated.
Long-term success with All-on-6® relies on consistent hygiene and professional maintenance. Brushing twice daily, using recommended interdental cleaners, and attending regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential. During professional visits, the clinician will examine the prosthesis, check implant stability, and address any wear or changes in the surrounding tissues. Catching minor issues early helps prevent complications.
Lifestyle factors such as tobacco use can affect healing and implant longevity, so patients are encouraged to discuss habits that may influence outcomes with their dental team. Diet choices immediately after surgery will be more limited, but once healing is complete most patients can enjoy a varied diet. Protective measures such as nightguards may be recommended for patients who clench or grind to reduce stress on the prosthesis.
Routine care also includes periodic professional maintenance of the prosthesis itself. Components such as screws or connectors are evaluated for fit and torque, and prosthetic surfaces are inspected for wear. With appropriate care and regular monitoring, All-on-6® restorations can provide stable, years-long service and a consistently improved quality of life.
Choosing All-on-6® is a significant decision that benefits from a clear understanding of the clinical pathway and realistic expectations about outcomes. Discussing goals, concerns, and medical history with your dental team helps ensure the treatment plan aligns with your needs. Visual planning tools and models can help you see proposed changes before treatment begins, so you feel confident about the aesthetic and functional direction.
The office of Fay Hu General Dentistry approaches full-arch restorations with careful planning and patient-centered communication. Our team will review imaging, outline each phase of care, and explain post-operative instructions so you know what to expect at every step. We focus on predictable results and ongoing support to help you maintain oral health after treatment.
If you are exploring full-arch solutions and want to learn whether All-on-6® might be right for you, contact us for more information. We’ll provide a clear, personalized overview of your options and the next steps toward restoring a comfortable, functional smile.
All-on-6 is a full-arch tooth replacement technique that uses six strategically placed dental implants to support a fixed prosthesis for the upper or lower jaw. Unlike conventional removable dentures, an All-on-6 prosthesis is permanently attached to implants so patients do not need adhesives or nightly removal. The result is a stable bite that more closely mimics the function and feel of natural teeth.
Because the prosthesis is fixed to implants, speech and chewing are typically more comfortable and predictable than with removable dentures. Oral hygiene for an All-on-6 bridge is similar to natural teeth, with routine brushing and targeted cleaning under the prosthesis. The approach focuses on restoring long-term function and confidence rather than a removable solution that can shift during daily activities.
Good candidates for All-on-6 generally include people who are missing most or all teeth in an arch or who have failing dentition that cannot be reliably restored with individual crowns or partial dentures. Adequate bone volume and healthy surrounding tissues improve the chances of successful implant placement, although planning techniques and implant positioning can often compensate for moderate bone loss. A thorough evaluation that includes medical history, a clinical exam, and imaging such as a CBCT scan is needed to determine candidacy.
Certain health factors like uncontrolled diabetes, active smoking, or conditions that impair healing may affect eligibility and should be discussed openly with the dental team. Age alone is not a limiting factor; overall health and healing capacity are more important considerations. The clinician will review alternatives and create a personalized plan that reflects each patient’s oral and systemic health status.
The All-on-6 process begins with diagnostic appointments that include dental impressions, digital imaging, and treatment planning to determine ideal implant positions and prosthetic design. On the day of surgery the dentist places six implants into the jaw bone and often attaches a temporary prosthesis to restore aesthetics and basic function immediately. Postoperative instructions will cover pain control, diet, and oral hygiene to support initial healing.
Over the following weeks and months the implants will integrate with the bone in a process called osseointegration, during which periodic checkups ensure proper healing. Once integration is complete, the temporary prosthesis is replaced with a definitive prosthesis that is refined for fit, occlusion, and long-term durability. This staged approach balances immediate improvement in appearance and function with the biologic needs of the implant sites.
Initial recovery after All-on-6 surgery typically involves a few days to a couple of weeks of soft-diet eating, mild swelling, and manageable discomfort that can be controlled with prescribed or recommended medications. Most patients return to light daily activities within a few days, but strenuous exercise and hard foods are usually restricted during the early healing phase. Follow-up visits during this period allow the clinician to monitor the surgical sites and address any concerns.
Complete bone integration of implants commonly takes three to six months, depending on individual healing rates and the quality of the underlying bone. During this time the temporary prosthesis provides function while the implants mature and become firmly anchored. After successful integration, the definitive prosthesis is delivered and fine-tuned for long-term comfort and performance.
Daily hygiene is essential for the longevity of an All-on-6 prosthesis and includes careful brushing of the prosthetic teeth and cleaning underneath the bridge with specialized floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser. Maintaining healthy gums and preventing plaque accumulation around the implant abutments helps reduce the risk of peri-implant inflammation and other complications. A consistent home-care routine combined with professional oversight keeps the mouth healthy and the restoration functional.
Regular professional maintenance visits are recommended so the dental team can perform thorough cleanings, check implant stability, and evaluate the fit of the prosthesis. The clinician may also recommend occlusal guards if you grind your teeth and targeted interventions for patients with high-risk conditions such as a history of periodontitis. With proactive care and routine monitoring, an All-on-6 restoration can offer durable results for many years.
All-on-6 uses two additional implants compared with an All-on-4 approach, which can distribute chew forces more evenly and offer enhanced support for the prosthesis in certain clinical situations. The extra implants may provide greater long-term stability for patients with larger bite forces or when there is concern about bone quality. Compared with placing individual implants for every missing tooth, an All-on-6 full-arch solution often reduces overall treatment complexity while delivering a fixed replacement.
Treatment selection depends on each patient’s anatomy, oral health goals, and clinical findings rather than a single ideal option for everyone. Comprehensive planning with 3D imaging and prosthetic considerations helps the clinician determine whether All-on-6, All-on-4, or another implant strategy is best. The goal is to match the restorative design to the patient’s functional needs and long-term prognosis.
Bone grafting is not always required for All-on-6, and one advantage of modern implant planning is that strategic implant placement can often avoid extensive grafting procedures. The number and angulation of implants used in All-on-6 can allow for stable engagement of available bone and may reduce the need for preliminary augmentation. A CBCT scan and clinical assessment will clarify the volume and density of bone and guide the treatment plan.
When bone loss is significant in critical areas, grafting or other augmentation techniques may still be recommended to support optimal implant placement and long-term outcomes. Decisions about grafting are individualized and consider factors such as bone anatomy, implant size, and prosthetic design. Your dentist will explain the rationale for any recommended grafting and how it affects the overall timeline and healing process.
In many All-on-6 cases a provisional prosthesis can be attached the same day as implant placement, providing immediate improvement in appearance and basic function. Immediate temporization depends on the primary stability of the implants and the overall treatment plan determined during preoperative planning. When immediate temporaries are placed, they are designed to protect the implants while allowing the patient to speak and eat a soft diet.
The provisional prosthesis is intended as a transitional restoration until the implants fully integrate with the bone, at which point a final definitive prosthesis is fabricated and delivered. During the provisional phase the dental team monitors healing and makes adjustments to optimize comfort and occlusion. This phased approach helps blend immediate patient needs with biological healing requirements.
As with any surgical procedure, All-on-6 carries potential risks such as postoperative infection, swelling, bleeding, and discomfort that usually resolve with proper care. Implant-specific complications can include failure of an implant to integrate, nerve irritation or altered sensation if anatomy is compromised, and prosthetic issues such as loosening or wear over time. Thorough preoperative planning and adherence to postoperative instructions reduce many of these risks.
Early recognition and prompt management are important when complications arise, and routine follow-up visits allow the dental team to address concerns before they progress. Modifiable factors like tobacco use and uncontrolled systemic conditions can increase complication risk and should be discussed during planning. With careful case selection and evidence-based protocols, the majority of patients experience predictable, successful outcomes.
Before your consultation gather relevant medical and dental records, a current list of medications, and any recent x-rays or imaging if available, as these materials help the clinician evaluate your case efficiently. Be prepared to discuss your dental history, goals for treatment, and any systemic health conditions that could affect healing or treatment choices. The consultation will typically include a clinical exam and may involve digital imaging such as a CBCT scan to assess bone anatomy and implant planning.
During the visit the dentist will explain the proposed treatment sequence, timelines for provisional and definitive prostheses, and the follow-up schedule needed to monitor healing and maintenance. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about function, hygiene, and long-term care specific to your needs. Our team in Winter Park strives to provide clear, evidence-based guidance so patients can make informed decisions about full-arch replacement options.
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