Complete Treatment Guide

All-on-6 Dental Implants: The Complete UK Patient Guide

Everything you need to know before deciding on All-on-6 — from what the procedure involves to who is a suitable candidate, recovery expectations, and the difference between having treatment in the UK or abroad.

The Procedure Explained

What Are All-on-6 Dental Implants?

All-on-6 is a fixed dental implant technique designed to replace an entire arch of teeth — whether that is the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both — using six titanium implants as the foundation. The name refers to the number of implants used: six per arch, supporting a full set of fixed replacement teeth.

Unlike removable dentures, which sit on the gum surface and can be taken in and out, an All-on-6 prosthesis is screwed or cemented onto the implants and remains permanently in place. Patients cannot remove it themselves. It functions much like natural teeth: you eat with it, speak with it, and clean it in situ.

The titanium implants are placed surgically into the jawbone. Titanium is biocompatible — the body does not reject it as a foreign material — and over a period of 3–6 months it undergoes a biological process called osseointegration, in which the bone grows around and bonds to the implant surface. This bond is what gives implant-supported teeth their stability and longevity.

The prosthesis itself — the visible "teeth" — can be made from several materials. Acrylic resin is the most common for temporary bridges and is lighter and less expensive. Zirconia (a type of ceramic) is increasingly used for final prostheses because of its durability, aesthetic quality, and resistance to staining. Some clinics also offer hybrid materials (acrylic on a metal framework). The choice of material affects both cost and longevity.

All-on-6 is appropriate for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth in one or both arches, or whose remaining natural teeth are failing and require extraction. It is not the only option — All-on-4, individual implants, and implant-retained dentures are alternatives — but for patients with sufficient bone volume who want a fully fixed, stable result, it is one of the most comprehensive solutions currently available.

Step by Step

How the All-on-6 Procedure Works

All-on-6 is not a single appointment — it is a multi-stage treatment spanning several months. Understanding each stage helps you plan realistically and know what to expect.

1

Initial Consultation & CT Scan

Appointment 1

Your dentist takes a full medical and dental history, conducts a clinical examination, and requests a CBCT (cone beam CT) scan to assess bone volume and jaw anatomy in three dimensions.

2

Pre-Surgical Preparation

Weeks to months

Any failing teeth that need to be removed are extracted in advance, allowing healing time. Where bone grafting is necessary, this may also be carried out at this stage, adding several months to the overall timeline.

3

Implant Surgery Day

2–4 hours

Six titanium implants are surgically placed into the prepared jawbone under local anaesthesia (with sedation available). The procedure typically takes 2–4 hours per arch. Most patients report manageable discomfort rather than significant pain.

4

Temporary Prosthesis Fitted

Same day

In most cases, a temporary full-arch bridge is attached on the same day as surgery. This is a functional prosthesis that allows normal eating and speaking while the implants heal. It is not the final prosthesis.

5

Osseointegration Period

3–6 months

Over 3–6 months, the titanium implants fuse with the surrounding bone through a biological process called osseointegration. During this period, you should follow dietary restrictions and attend any monitoring appointments scheduled by your clinic.

6

Final Prosthesis Fitting

Final appointment

Once osseointegration is confirmed (usually via X-ray or CT scan), your permanent prosthesis — typically made from acrylic resin or zirconia — is fabricated and fitted. Final adjustments ensure correct bite alignment and aesthetics.

Suitability

Who Is a Candidate for All-on-6?

Who May Benefit

  • Adults with multiple missing teeth in one or both arches
  • Patients with full edentulism (no remaining natural teeth)
  • Those whose remaining teeth are failing and cannot be restored
  • Patients who have worn removable dentures and want a fixed alternative
  • Those with sufficient jawbone density to support six implants without grafting
  • Non-smokers or patients willing to stop smoking before treatment (smoking significantly impairs healing)
  • Adults in good general health with controlled systemic conditions

Factors That Affect Candidacy

  • Bone volume — assessed via CBCT scan; insufficient bone may require grafting or All-on-4
  • Active gum disease or unresolved dental infections must be treated first
  • Uncontrolled diabetes can impair healing and osseointegration
  • Patients on certain medications (e.g. bisphosphonates) may face additional risks
  • Heavy smokers have significantly higher implant failure rates
  • Severe bruxism (teeth grinding) places excessive load on implants and prostheses
  • Medical conditions affecting bone density or immune response require specialist assessment

Important: No clinic can accurately determine your suitability without a CBCT scan. Any quote or treatment recommendation made without one should be treated with caution.

Treatment Comparison

All-on-6 vs Other Options

All-on-6 vs All-on-4

All-on-4 uses four implants rather than six, with the two posterior implants placed at an angle (typically 30–45 degrees) to maximise bone contact and avoid the need for bone grafting in patients with reduced posterior bone volume. All-on-6 places six implants in a more upright configuration and requires more bone. Neither is categorically superior — the right choice depends on the anatomy revealed by your CT scan. Read the full All-on-6 vs All-on-4 comparison.

All-on-6 vs Removable Dentures

Conventional removable dentures sit on the gum surface and are held in place by suction or adhesive. They do not stimulate the jawbone, which means bone resorption continues after tooth loss. All-on-6 implants transmit biting forces into the jawbone, helping to preserve its volume. The functional and aesthetic difference between fixed implants and removable dentures is significant — most patients who make the switch describe the improvement as transformative.

All-on-6 vs Individual Implants

Replacing every missing tooth with an individual implant is technically possible but becomes prohibitively expensive and surgically intensive when treating a full arch. All-on-6 achieves a similar functional result using far fewer implants, making it more practical and cost-effective for full-arch rehabilitation.

Expected Outcomes

What Results to Expect

Aesthetic Results

Modern prostheses are designed to replicate the appearance of natural teeth in terms of colour, translucency, and proportion. Zirconia prostheses in particular offer excellent aesthetics. The prosthesis also provides support to the facial structure, countering the sunken appearance that can develop following significant tooth loss.

Functional Improvement

Fixed implant-supported teeth restore full chewing function. Patients can eat a wide variety of foods once healing is complete. Speech is typically unaffected or improved. The security and stability of a fixed prosthesis eliminates the social anxiety that many denture wearers experience.

Bone Preservation

Because the implants transmit biting forces into the jaw, they stimulate bone maintenance — slowing or halting the bone resorption that follows tooth loss. This is a significant long-term benefit that conventional dentures cannot provide.

All-on-6 Procedure Questions

Common Questions

How long do All-on-6 implants last?
The titanium implants themselves can last decades — many patients retain them for life with proper care. The prosthesis (the visible set of teeth) typically lasts 10–20 years before needing replacement, depending on the material used and how well it is maintained. Zirconia prostheses tend to be more durable than acrylic.
Is the All-on-6 procedure painful?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia, so you should not feel pain during surgery. Post-operative discomfort — soreness, swelling, and some bruising — is common for the first 5–10 days. Most patients manage this with over-the-counter pain relief prescribed by their clinic. Severe or prolonged pain should always be reported to the treating dentist.
Can I eat normally after All-on-6?
With the temporary prosthesis in place, you will initially follow a soft food diet for several weeks. Once the final prosthesis is fitted and osseointegration is complete, most patients can eat a wide range of foods. Hard, crunchy foods and habits like grinding teeth can place excessive load on implants and should be avoided or managed.
How do I clean All-on-6 implants?
All-on-6 prostheses require daily cleaning with a soft toothbrush, interdental brushes, and water flossers to remove debris beneath the bridge. Regular hygienist appointments (typically every 6 months) are essential. Unlike natural teeth, implants cannot develop cavities, but the surrounding gum and bone must be kept healthy to prevent peri-implantitis.
What happens if an implant fails?
Implant failure — where osseointegration does not occur or the implant becomes infected — is uncommon but possible. If a single implant fails, it may be possible to replace it after a period of healing. A good clinic will have a clear protocol for managing implant failure and will explain this in your treatment plan before surgery.
Do I need a bone graft for All-on-6?
Some patients require bone grafting before All-on-6 can proceed — particularly if significant bone has been lost through long-term tooth loss or gum disease. Whether you need a graft can only be determined by a CT scan. All-on-4, with its angled posterior implants, is sometimes preferred precisely because it can avoid the need for grafting in patients with reduced bone volume.

Ready to Understand Your All-on-6 Options?

Get a free, personalised quote from verified clinics — anonymously. No clinic sees your details until you choose to connect.

Get My Free Quote Compare Costs