All-on-4 vs. All-on-6 Dental Implants: Which System is Better for You?

Implants & Placement: The most obvious difference is the number of implants – four versus six. All-on-4’s use of angled posterior implants is a key distinction, designed to engage denser bone often found in the front of the jaw and potentially bypass areas with less bone volume or anatomical structures like sinuses. All-on-6 typically involves more vertical placements, distributing support more widely across the arch.

Stability & Support: With more anchor points spread across the jaw, All-on-6 generally offers greater intrinsic stability and more even distribution of biting forces across the prosthesis. This inherent stability is beneficial for long-term durability, especially in wider jaw structures where reinforcing the prosthesis framework, often with a titanium or cast bar, further ensures longevity. While All-on-4 has fewer implants, experienced clinics often address this by incorporating a similar reinforcing titanium or cast bar within the prosthesis itself. This technique aims to compensate for the reduced number of implants, enhancing the prosthesis’s lifespan, and our clinical experience shows positive results with this approach.

Bone Requirements: While All-on-4’s design might allow treatment for some patients with moderate bone loss without grafting, All-on-6 often provides a more robust foundation but may be more likely to require sufficient bone volume across a wider area, potentially necessitating bone grafting procedures if significant bone loss has occurred.

Complexity & Cost: Adding more implants generally increases surgical time and complexity slightly for All-on-6. Consequently, it’s often associated with a higher cost compared to All-on-4. However, the increased stability might translate to better long-term value for some individuals.