A guide to All-On-6 dental implants
All-on-6 dental implants provide a solution for patients wanting to replace a full row of teeth in one go, offering a more permanent alternative to removable dentures.
We’ve put together a full guide to the treatment, covering everything you need to know to decide if all-on-6 implants are right for you.
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What are all-on-6 dental implants?
All-on-6 dental implants are a full-arch tooth replacement solution. They’re a variation on the all-on-4 dental implant treatment but use six implants instead of four to provide a stronger, more stable base for a full row of replacement teeth.
The treatment involves six titanium implants being placed into the jawbone, which are then used as an anchor for permanent dentures. It can be used to replace a single row of teeth or both, as is the case in a full-mouth dental implant procedure.
Both all-on-6 and all-on-4 dental implants offer an alternative to using traditional removable full dentures to replace an entire arch of missing teeth, providing more stability, functionality, and longevity.
The all-on-6 dental implant procedure
The procedure for all-on-6 dental implants is practically identical to the standard single dental implant procedure. It involves these main steps:
- Evaluation: The process begins with an initial evaluation, during which your dental professional will assess your dental health and bone density to check if all-on-6 dental implants are the right choice for you.
- Implant placement: In the main part of the procedure, local anaesthesia will be applied to the area and six titanium or zirconia posts will be inserted into your jawbone where it’s most dense, ensuring they provide the maximum stability for permanent dentures.
- Healing period: After the implant posts are placed, there’s a healing process of several months during which your jawbone will fuse naturally with the implants (in a process called osseointegration), securing them firmly in place.
- Denture attachment: Finally, once the implants have fully healed, your custom-made permanent dentures will be attached to the post
The entire process involves several visits to your dental professional and can take between two and six months depending on individual healing times.
Benefits of all-on-6 dental implants
All-on-6 is a popular solution for full-mouth or full-arch dental implants because it offers lots of benefits compared to alternatives, like all-on-4 implants or traditional removable dentures.
Improved stability
All-on-6 dental implants use six individual titanium posts to secure a row of prosthetic teeth to the jaw. This provides a more stable end result than all-on-4 implants, which use two fewer posts, and removable full dentures, which aren’t attached to the jawbone at all.
As a result, all-on-6 implants have excellent stability, strength, and durability, distributing chewing forces more evenly and reducing the risks of implant failure.
No bone grafting
Replacing an entire row of missing teeth with individual dental implants would require high bone density throughout the jawbone, as each implant needs enough surrounding bone to be attached to securely. Without this density, bone grafts would be required before the implants can be placed.
The all-on-6 procedure, however, uses just six implants to secure an entire prosthetic arch. These implants can be placed in the jawbone at the points of maximum density, allowing for proper osseointegration and ensuring a firm anchor without the need for bone grafting.
Bone preservation
Missing teeth can cause increased bone loss (also called bone resorption) in the jaw, as the chewing forces that typically stimulate and strengthen the jawbone are removed. Removable dentures don’t reintroduce these forces, which means that bone loss can continue.
But the titanium implant posts used in the all-on-6 procedure essentially act as replacement tooth roots, reinforcing the surrounding jawbone to prevent further bone loss.
Longevity
Dental implants, including all-on-6 implants, can last for 20-30 years, or even longer, provided they’re cared for properly. This makes them the closest thing to a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth.
Their longevity is one of the key benefits compared to traditional dentures, which may need replacing on a regular basis as the jawbone continues to degrade and the dentures loosen.
How much do all-on-6 dental implants cost?
The price of all-on-6 dental implants is dependent on a variety of factors, but patients can expect to pay around £20,000 to £40,000 for a full-mouth restoration. This represents a significant saving compared to the expected equivalent price of a full mouth of individual tooth implants, which typically cost £2,000 to £3,800 each.
Factors affecting cost
Several factors can influence the final cost of all-on-6 implants:
Geographical location: Clinics in larger cities or affluent areas may charge more.
Dentist's expertise: More experienced dentists or specialists may have higher fees.
Material quality: Higher-quality or brand-specific materials can increase costs.
Additional procedures: Some patients require additional treatments like extractions, bone grafting, or sinus lifts, which add to the overall cost.
Installment options
Many dental clinics in the UK offer financing options to make all-on-6 implants more affordable. These can include:
Interest-free finance: Some clinics offer 0% interest financing if the amount is repaid within a specified period, such as 12 to 24 months.
Extended payment plans: For longer-term financing, clinics might offer plans that extend payments over several years but include interest.
Third-party financing: Some practices work with medical credit companies that offer loans specifically for medical and dental procedures