It is the procedure in which 6 implants are applied in the same session.
Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Ferhat Mısır
Written by DentAkademi Editorial Team
Medically reviewed by Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Ferhat Mısır
Last updated:
🔑 Key Takeaways
  • All-on-6 replaces an entire arch of teeth using six implants all placed straight into the jawbone supporting a fixed zirconia bridge.
  • Six implants distribute biting load across more anchor points than All-on-4, which can benefit patients with stronger bite forces or greater bone availability.
  • Unlike All-on-4, All-on-6 typically does not use angled rear implants which means sufficient bone is required across more of the jaw.
  • Treatment involves two visits to Istanbul: implant placement on the first, permanent bridge fitting approximately 3 months later.
  • A temporary fixed bridge is usually fitted within 24–48 hours of surgery you leave with functional teeth.
  • At DentAkademi, All-on-6 is planned with 3D CBCT imaging and guided surgery. Whether All-on-6 or All-on-4 is right for your case is confirmed from your scan, not assumed.

All-on-6 replaces every tooth in an upper or lower arch with a single fixed bridge anchored by six implants. It's designed for patients who've lost most or all of their teeth and who want a result that stays put, functions like natural teeth, and doesn't require the nightly routine of a removable denture.

The six implants are placed straight into the jawbone at predetermined positions, all planned digitally from your 3D scan before surgery begins. Once osseointegration is complete typically around three months the permanent zirconia bridge is fitted. Between the two visits, you wear a temporary fixed bridge. You are never without teeth.

All-on-6 uses more implants than All-on-4, which distributes the biting load more evenly across the arch. For patients with adequate bone volume and strong bite forces, this can be the better approach. For patients with significant bone loss in the posterior jaw, All-on-4's angled implant placement is often more practical. We'll tell you which we recommend and why after seeing your scan.

What Is All-on-6?

All-on-6 is a full-arch implant technique in which six titanium posts are placed into the jawbone to support a complete fixed bridge for one jaw. Rather than placing one implant per missing tooth, the entire arch is supported on six fixtures all placed vertically, without the angled rear implants used in All-on-4.

The fixed bridge attached to the six implants does not come out at night. It doesn't rest on the gum the way a denture does, and it doesn't cover the roof of the mouth. Most patients describe the difference from a full denture as immediate in terms of stability, comfort when eating, and the absence of adhesives or movement.

ℹ️ All-on-6 vs All-on-4 the key difference

All-on-4 uses four implants, with the rear two placed at an angle to use bone further forward in the jaw often bypassing the need for bone grafting. All-on-6 uses six implants, all placed straight, requiring more bone across the arch but distributing load across more anchor points. Neither is universally better. Your anatomy determines which is appropriate.

Is All-on-6 Right for You?

All-on-6 is suited to patients with significant tooth loss who have adequate bone volume across the jaw. The six implants are placed straight into the bone which means more bone is needed at more points than in All-on-4.

✅ Typically suitable

  • Most or all teeth missing in one or both arches
  • Adequate bone volume across the full arch
  • Strong bite force benefits from 6-point load distribution
  • Good general health with stable systemic conditions
  • Non-smoker or willing to stop during healing
  • Seeking a permanent fixed alternative to dentures

❌ May need alternative approach

  • Significant posterior bone loss (All-on-4 may be more appropriate)
  • Active untreated gum disease treat first
  • Severe uncontrolled diabetes
  • Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease
  • Recent radiotherapy to the jaw

⚠️ Needs assessment before proceeding

  • Active smoker significantly raises failure risk
  • Mild to moderate bone loss may still be viable with additional planning
  • Osteoporosis or low bone density
  • Blood-thinning medication
  • Well-controlled diabetes may be suitable with HbA1c review

If you've been told elsewhere that you don't have enough bone for implants, that assessment may have been made without 3D imaging or may apply to standard implants but not All-on-4 or All-on-6. We'll tell you clearly what your scan shows.

Not sure if you're a candidate? Upload your X-ray and our surgical team will review it and give you a clear answer within 48 hours.

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Clinical Note

Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Ferhat Mısır Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

"The question patients often ask is whether six implants is 'better' than four. The honest answer is that it depends on what the scan shows.

When a patient has good bone density throughout the arch and a strong bite particularly in the molar region six straight implants can give a more even load distribution. The bridge is supported at more points, which matters if that patient is going to be chewing hard foods for the next 20 years.

When bone loss is more significant in the posterior jaw, the angled positioning of All-on-4 becomes the more sensible choice we're using the bone that's actually there rather than trying to place implants where the bone is deficient.

I don't have a preference for either technique. I have a preference for the right technique for that patient's anatomy. That's what the CBCT scan is for."

Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Ferhat Mısır, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, DentAkademi

All-on-6 vs. All-on-4 vs. Removable Denture

Here's how All-on-6 compares to the main alternatives for full-arch tooth replacement:

Factor All-on-6 All-on-4 Removable Denture
Number of implants (per arch) 6 4 0
Implant placement All straight Front straight, rear angled N/A
Bone requirements Higher needs bone across full arch Lower angled placement compensates None
Load distribution ✅ Across 6 points Across 4 points ❌ Gum surface only
Fixed or removable? ✅ Fixed ✅ Fixed ❌ Removable
Palate covered? ✅ No ✅ No ❌ Yes (upper denture)
Bone preservation ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No
Best suited for Good bone + high bite force Significant bone loss Budget-first solution
Lifespan (with normal care) 15–20+ years 15–20+ years 5–8 years
💡 Which should you choose?

All-on-6 and All-on-4 are not competing products they're different solutions for different anatomies. The decision is made from your 3D scan. If you have the bone for six straight implants, All-on-6 may give you slightly better load distribution. If posterior bone is limited, All-on-4's angled placement is often the smarter route.

What All-on-6 Actually Changes

The benefits patients describe aren't abstract they're specific to what changes when you go from a denture to a fixed implant-supported bridge.

You stop thinking about your teeth when you eat

Removable dentures rest on the gum and can shift under biting force. All-on-6 implants are anchored in the bone. The bridge doesn't move. Most patients return to a full diet including foods they'd been avoiding for years once the permanent bridge is fitted and healing is complete.

The roof of your mouth is uncovered

Full upper dentures cover the palate. All-on-6 bridges don't. The difference in how food tastes and how natural the teeth feel is significant for most patients. It's consistently one of the things people mention first.

The bone is stimulated, not just replaced

When teeth are lost, the jawbone gradually shrinks because it's no longer receiving the stimulation that roots provide. Implants transmit biting forces into the bone, which slows this process. A denture sits on top of the gum and doesn't. Over years, this difference becomes visible in how the face looks.

Daily maintenance is straightforward

The bridge is cleaned in place no removal, no adhesives, no overnight soaking. You brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush, and use an interdental brush or water flosser to clean under the bridge. Professional hygiene appointments every 6 months remain important.

⚠️ What All-on-6 doesn't change

Implant outcomes are not uniform. Long-term success depends on bone quality, oral hygiene, avoiding smoking, managing systemic health conditions, and attending regular check-ups. No implant treatment carries an unconditional guarantee of permanent success, and this should be discussed honestly before any plan is confirmed.

The All-on-6 Procedure: Step by Step

All-on-6 treatment follows two defined stages, separated by a healing period. The total timeline from first appointment to permanent bridge is approximately 3–4 months.

Stage 1 Surgery Day

1

Consultation and 3D Imaging

Treatment begins with a CBCT scan a 3D image of your jawbone that shows bone height, width, and density at every potential implant site, along with the position of nerves and sinuses. This is what makes accurate placement possible. We also take digital impressions and review your full medical and dental history at this stage.

2

Written Treatment Plan

Based on the scan, we produce a written plan: implant positions, any preparatory procedures needed, the expected timeline, costs, and the implant system recommended for your case. No next step happens until you've read it, asked your questions, and decided to proceed.

3

Extractions (if needed) + Implant Placement

Any remaining teeth requiring removal are extracted first. Six implants are then placed using a computer-generated surgical guide based on your digital plan. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. For patients who prefer it, IV sedation or general anaesthesia is available. The surgery itself typically takes 1–2 hours per arch.

4

Temporary Bridge (within 24–48 hours)

Where implant stability allows, a temporary fixed bridge is fitted the day after surgery. You leave Istanbul with functional, fixed teeth. You follow a soft diet for the first 6–8 weeks while osseointegration progresses.

ℹ️ About the temporary bridge

Whether a temporary bridge can be placed within 24–48 hours depends on implant stability measured after placement. If stability is below the threshold we consider safe, the prosthesis is delayed until healing is further along. We discuss this possibility during every consultation not as a risk to be alarmed by, but as a clinical decision we may need to make to protect the final outcome.

Stage 2 Permanent Bridge Fitting (approx. 3 months later)

5

Osseointegration Check

At your second Istanbul visit, we confirm that the implants have fully integrated with the bone through clinical assessment and sometimes a follow-up scan. This is the point at which the permanent bridge fabrication begins.

6

Digital Scanning + Bridge Fabrication

Digital impressions are taken of the implants and your bite. The permanent zirconia bridge is fabricated in our in-house dental laboratory typically within 2–3 days. Shade, shape, and bite position are customised to your facial structure and confirmed with you before final fitting.

7

Fitting, Adjustment + Final Review

The bridge is attached to the implants and the bite is adjusted until everything feels right. A final review appointment confirms the fit, and you leave with full written records for your local dentist.

Your All-on-6 Journey in Istanbul

First Visit approx. 6–8 days

Day What happens
Day 1Arrival in Istanbul VIP airport transfer to hotel
Day 2CBCT scan + full consultation + written treatment plan + pre-op tests
Day 3Surgery: extractions (if needed) + six implants placed
Day 4Rest coordinator available by WhatsApp
Day 5Temporary bridge fitted + post-op review
Day 6Bite check + aftercare instructions
Day 7Return flight home (with fixed temporary teeth)

Between Visits approx. 3 months at home

Osseointegration. The temporary bridge stays in. Soft diet for the first 6–8 weeks, then progressively normal. Your coordinator remains reachable by WhatsApp. If you have a local dentist monitoring you, we provide complete clinical documentation.

Second Visit approx. 4–5 days

Day What happens
Day 1Arrival + osseointegration check
Day 2Digital scanning + shade selection + bridge fabrication begins
Day 3Try-in + bite adjustments
Day 4Permanent zirconia bridge fitted + final review + photographs
Day 5Return flight home
✈️ After both visits

Annual check-ups with your local dentist are sufficient for most implant cases. We provide full written records, X-rays, and implant specifications from both visits. Your DentAkademi coordinator remains reachable for questions at any point after you're home.

Clinical Note

On Planning vs. Rushing

"We see patients who've been told they can have fixed teeth in three days, full arch, no grafting needed, no questions asked. Sometimes that's true. More often it means the planning wasn't done properly.

With All-on-6, the positioning of six implants in straight vertical axes requires the bone to be there and in the right condition at all six sites. If even one position is compromised, the load distribution across the bridge changes. That matters over time.

We use CBCT imaging and guided surgery for every All-on-6 case. The surgical template is prepared before we make a single incision. This isn't a longer or more complicated process for the patient it just means the surgery follows a plan that was made with the patient's actual anatomy, not a generic protocol."

Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Ferhat Mısır, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, DentAkademi

DentAkademi by the Numbers

6,000+
Dental implants placed annually at DentAkademi
43%
International patients
14
Treatment units
2,500 m²
Dedicated dental facility
98.3%
Implant survival rate

Wondering whether All-on-6 or All-on-4 is right for your bone structure? Send us your scan and we'll tell you.

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Practical Considerations for International Patients

How many visits to Istanbul are required?
Most All-on-6 patients need two visits: the first for surgery (6–8 days) and the second for permanent bridge fitting (4–5 days), separated by approximately 3 months. If preparatory procedures such as bone grafting are needed, an additional visit may be required confirmed in your treatment plan before you commit to anything.

What if a complication arises after I'm home?
Minor post-operative issues mild swelling, temporary sensitivity, small bite adjustments can usually be managed remotely with guidance from our team. Anything requiring physical assessment, we arrange promptly: either through a return to Istanbul or, where possible, through referral to a trusted local provider. We take clinical responsibility for our work.

How is follow-up handled after I return home?
We send every patient home with complete written documentation: treatment records, X-rays, implant specifications, and aftercare instructions. Annual professional check-ups with your local dentist are sufficient for most implant cases. Your DentAkademi coordinator remains reachable by WhatsApp for any questions between appointments.

What does the temporary bridge allow me to eat?
During the first 6–8 weeks, we recommend a soft diet anything that doesn't require significant bite force. Most patients manage well with cooked vegetables, fish, pasta, eggs, and softer proteins. After that period, the diet progressively normalises. After the permanent bridge is fitted, most patients return to a completely unrestricted diet.

Will my coordinator speak English?
Yes. Every international patient is assigned a dedicated coordinator who speaks English and manages all communication from first enquiry through to aftercare. You have a single point of contact not a different person at each stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

During surgery, no. Local anaesthesia is effective and you'll feel pressure but not pain. IV sedation is available and commonly chosen for All-on-6 because the procedure takes longer than a single-implant surgery. For patients who prefer to be fully asleep, general anaesthesia is also available. In the 3–5 days following surgery, swelling and soreness are normal and managed with prescribed medication. Most patients tell us it was significantly less uncomfortable than they expected.
In most cases, yes a temporary fixed bridge is fitted within 24–48 hours of implant placement. Whether this is possible depends on implant stability measured at the time of surgery. If stability is below the safe threshold for immediate loading, the bridge is fitted at a later appointment. We explain this possibility at every consultation so there are no surprises.
From your first appointment to permanent bridge: approximately 3–4 months. The first Istanbul visit takes 6–8 days (scan, surgery, temporary bridge). The healing period of around 3 months happens at home. The second visit takes 4–5 days (permanent zirconia bridge). You are never without teeth at any stage.
All-on-6 uses six implants, all placed straight into the bone. All-on-4 uses four implants, with the rear two placed at an angle to use bone further forward in the jaw which is especially useful when posterior bone loss is significant. All-on-6 distributes load across more points, which may benefit patients with stronger bite forces. All-on-4 requires less bone overall. Neither is universally better. Your bone anatomy determines which is appropriate, and we confirm this from your CBCT scan.
Possibly, depending on bone availability at each of the six implant sites. All-on-6 places all six implants straight without the angled placement used in All-on-4 that helps bypass posterior bone loss. If bone is insufficient at one or more planned positions, a graft or a switch to All-on-4 may be the better approach. We confirm this from your 3D scan before any plan is presented.
The titanium implant posts are designed to be permanent. DentAkademi reports a 98.3% implant survival rate. The zirconia bridge typically lasts 15–20 years before it may need replacement due to normal wear. Long-term success depends on consistent oral hygiene, avoiding smoking, managing any systemic health conditions, and attending regular professional check-ups.
Smoking substantially increases the risk of implant failure, particularly during the first months of osseointegration when the bone is integrating around the implant. We don't automatically refuse treatment to smokers, but we have a direct conversation about the increased risk and strongly recommend stopping for at least 8 weeks before surgery and throughout the healing period. If a patient is unwilling to stop, that changes our clinical recommendation.
Well-controlled type 2 diabetes is not an automatic barrier to All-on-6. Poorly controlled diabetes impairs healing, raises infection risk, and significantly increases the chance of implant failure. We ask for a recent HbA1c result and assess current control before confirming suitability. If control isn't at the level we'd want to see, we'll tell you what level it would need to reach before we'd recommend proceeding.
Zirconia is our standard material for All-on-6 permanent bridges. It's metal-free, highly durable, stain-resistant, and produces natural-looking results. The bridge is fabricated in our in-house dental laboratory, which allows us to control quality and timing. The shade, shape, and bite position are all customised to your facial structure before the bridge is finalised.
We work with Straumann, Nobel Biocare, BEGO, Notch, and Osstem all systems with documented long-term clinical records. The system selected for your case is confirmed in your written treatment plan before surgery. If you have a preference or questions about a specific brand, those conversations happen at the consultation stage.
The bridge is cleaned in place it doesn't come out. Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush, paying close attention to the junction between the bridge and the gumline. An interdental brush or water flosser is needed to clean under the bridge where food can accumulate. We provide a full cleaning kit and detailed instructions before you leave after surgery. Professional hygiene appointments every 6 months are recommended for the long term.
Early implant failure where an implant doesn't integrate during the healing period is uncommon but does occur. If it happens, the failed implant is removed, the site is allowed to heal, and replacement is planned once conditions are right. We discuss our failure protocol including what costs are covered before treatment begins. You should ask about this at any consultation; a clinic that won't answer the question clearly is worth noting.
Yes. Many patients treat both upper and lower arches during the same visit either two All-on-6 procedures, or All-on-6 for one arch and All-on-4 for the other if bone conditions differ. Where this is clinically appropriate, we coordinate it into a single treatment plan and timeline to minimise the number of visits required.
The cost difference reflects lower operational overheads, different salary structures, and government support for health tourism in Turkey not reduced clinical standards or inferior materials. The implant brands used at DentAkademi Straumann, Nobel Biocare, and others are identical to those used in well-equipped UK and German clinics. The saving is structural, not the result of shortcuts.
For most All-on-6 patients with uncomplicated surgery, flying home on day 6 or 7 is fine. Flying the same day or the day immediately after surgery is not recommended. For patients who've had extractions alongside the implant placement, or more complex cases, we advise on the appropriate recovery window before travel based on how the surgery went.

Summary

All-on-6 is a well-established full-arch restoration for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth and have sufficient bone volume across the jaw. Six straight implants provide more anchor points than All-on-4, which can be advantageous for patients with strong bite forces or good bone density throughout the arch.

It's not the right approach for everyone. When posterior bone loss is significant, All-on-4's angled placement is usually the more practical option. When patients have good bone and high bite demands, All-on-6 is often the better fit. The scan tells us which is which and that conversation happens before any commitment is made.

For international patients weighing up Istanbul as a destination, the clinical standards, implant systems, and diagnostic technology at DentAkademi are not a compromise. Our 98.3% implant survival rate reflects how seriously we take the planning. The cost difference is real and it's structural, not the result of cutting corners.

Ready to Find Out If All-on-6 Is Right for You?

Send us your existing X-ray or scan and our surgical team will review your bone structure and give you an honest recommendation All-on-6, All-on-4, or something else entirely. No commitment required.

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