Full Mouth Reconstruction

Full Mouth All-on-6: Upper and Lower Arch Treatment Guide

Full-mouth All-on-6 replaces all teeth in both the upper and lower jaw using twelve titanium implants and two fixed full-arch prostheses. Here is what the treatment involves, how it is planned, and what it costs.

What Full Mouth Means

What Full-Mouth All-on-6 Means

"Full mouth" in the context of All-on-6 means that both the upper arch (maxilla) and lower arch (mandible) are treated — not just one. This involves placing a total of twelve titanium implants: six in the upper jaw and six in the lower jaw. Two complete full-arch prostheses are then supported on these implants, one for each arch.

Full-mouth All-on-6 is appropriate for patients who have lost — or will lose through extraction — all or most of their natural teeth in both arches. It is a comprehensive reconstructive treatment: at the end of the treatment process, the patient has a complete, fully fixed set of upper and lower teeth.

For patients who have been wearing complete removable dentures in both arches, or for those approaching full edentulism, full-mouth All-on-6 is often transformative — restoring normal eating, speaking, and social function, and eliminating the discomfort and instability associated with removable dentures.

The functional and aesthetic result of full-mouth All-on-6 is a complete smile restoration. The prostheses are designed to match appropriate tooth proportions, shade, and gum aesthetics for each individual patient. Modern zirconia prostheses are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth in normal social situations.

Surgery Planning

Can Both Arches Be Done at the Same Time?

In many cases, yes. Treating both arches simultaneously — on the same surgical day — is common practice at clinics that specialise in full-mouth reconstruction, and offers several practical advantages: one anaesthesia event, one surgical recovery period, and one first trip rather than two.

Simultaneous treatment is generally suitable for patients in good general health, without significant systemic conditions that would complicate an extended surgical procedure. The surgery itself takes longer than a single-arch case — typically 4–6 hours rather than 2–4 — but this is manageable with appropriate anaesthesia and post-operative planning.

Some clinicians prefer to stage upper and lower arch treatment — completing one arch, allowing full healing, and then addressing the second. This approach may be recommended where:

  • The patient has health considerations that make extended simultaneous surgery less advisable
  • Significant bone grafting is required in one arch, extending the preparation timeline
  • The patient prefers a phased approach for financial reasons
  • Clinical assessment suggests one arch is straightforward and one is complex, warranting separate attention

The surgeon's recommendation following CT scan review is the appropriate basis for deciding whether simultaneous or staged treatment is better for your specific case.

Full Mouth Costs

Cost of Full-Mouth All-on-6

UK Private

£22,000–£40,000+

Both arches

  • 12 implants total (6 per arch)
  • Two full-arch prostheses
  • No travel required
  • Higher overall cost
Turkey

£6,000–£13,000

Both arches

  • 60–75% saving vs UK private
  • Premium implant brands available
  • Two trips required
  • Add £900–£2,000 for travel/hotel
Hungary

£8,000–£16,000

Both arches

  • 40–60% saving vs UK private
  • EU regulated practices
  • Two trips required
  • Add £660–£1,400 for travel/hotel

Cost ranges are approximate. Zirconia prostheses add £1,000–£4,000 per arch over acrylic. Extractions and bone grafting are not always included. Get a personalised quote to understand your specific case cost.

Treatment Timeline

Timeline for Full-Mouth Treatment

The overall timeline for full-mouth All-on-6 is broadly the same as single-arch treatment — the osseointegration period that drives the timeline is the same regardless of how many implants are placed.

If both arches are treated simultaneously

Trip 1 (5–7 days): CBCT scan, consultation, any extractions, implant surgery for both arches on the same day, temporary prostheses fitted for both arches. Return home. Heal for 3–6 months. Trip 2 (3–5 days): Impressions or scans for both final prostheses, fabrication, fitting, and adjustment of both. Return home with permanent full-mouth restoration.

If arches are treated sequentially

The overall timeline extends significantly — typically to 12–18 months from start to finish — as each arch completes its own healing and prosthesis fitting cycle. This approach involves more travel (potentially three or four trips rather than two) and higher total travel costs, but spreads the financial commitment if required.

Full Mouth All-on-6 Questions

Common Questions

Can both arches be treated at the same time?
In many cases, yes. Many clinics offer simultaneous upper and lower arch treatment on the same surgical day, which means one anaesthesia, one recovery period, and one first trip rather than two separate procedures. However, some clinicians prefer to stage upper and lower treatment — particularly where healing capacity or patient health considerations make simultaneous surgery less appropriate. This is a clinical decision made by the surgeon following CT scan review.
Is the recovery longer for full-mouth treatment?
The osseointegration period — 3–6 months — is the same whether you have one arch or both treated. Full-mouth surgery does involve more implants placed in one session (12 total), which may result in more extensive post-operative swelling and discomfort in the immediate recovery period. Your clinic will advise on managing this. The timeline to the final prosthesis fitting is not typically extended compared to single-arch treatment.
What is the difference between acrylic and zirconia for full-mouth cases?
Acrylic prostheses are lighter, less expensive, and easier to repair or adjust. Zirconia prostheses are harder, more durable, more resistant to staining, and often preferred aesthetically, but are heavier and more difficult to modify once fabricated. For full-mouth cases where both arches are being restored, the total cost difference between acrylic and zirconia can be £3,000–£8,000 depending on the clinic and country of treatment. Both materials are clinically appropriate — the choice depends on budget, aesthetics preferences, and the surgeon's recommendation.
Should I have both arches done at the same clinic and on the same trip?
Combining both arches at the same clinic on the same trip is the most practical approach for treatment abroad. Splitting treatment between clinics or countries creates significant logistical and clinical complications — each clinic's records, implant systems, and prosthetics protocols must align, which is difficult to guarantee. Choose one clinic for your full-mouth case and confirm they have adequate experience with simultaneous upper and lower arch treatment.

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