Zirconia vs Acrylic Prosthesis for All-on-6: What's the Difference?

What the Prosthesis Is

When people talk about All-on-6, the focus tends to be on the implants — the six titanium fixtures placed in the jaw. But the part you actually see and use every day is the prosthesis: the full-arch restoration that attaches to those implants and functions as your teeth. The prosthesis is what sits visible in your mouth and what you bite with. Its material matters for both aesthetics and longevity.

The prosthesis screws or is otherwise fixed onto the implant abutments. It spans the full arch — typically 10 to 14 tooth positions — and is custom-made for each patient based on impressions or digital scans of the implant positions, the bite, and the desired tooth shape and shade. The two main materials used for permanent All-on-6 prostheses are acrylic (PMMA) and zirconia.

Acrylic (PMMA) Prosthesis: Pros and Cons

PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) — dental-grade acrylic — is the material used for the vast majority of temporary prostheses fitted on surgery day, and it is also a widely used option for permanent prostheses.

Advantages of Acrylic

• Lower cost — acrylic prostheses are less expensive to fabricate than zirconia, making them significantly more accessible for patients on tighter budgets.
• Lighter weight — acrylic is lighter than zirconia, which some patients find more comfortable, particularly in the upper jaw.
• Easier to adjust — if the bite needs adjustment after fitting, or if minor modifications are needed, acrylic can be trimmed and polished in-chair. This flexibility is useful during the early period after fitting when bite adjustments are common.
• Easier to repair — if a tooth on an acrylic prosthesis chips or breaks, a skilled dental technician can repair or replace that section without remaking the whole arch.
• Good aesthetics — modern dental acrylic, particularly premium PMMA, looks good. For patients not demanding the absolute highest aesthetic standard, a well-made acrylic prosthesis is entirely acceptable in appearance.

Disadvantages of Acrylic

• Wears and stains over time — acrylic is softer than zirconia and will show wear on the biting surfaces more noticeably over years of use. It is also more porous and can absorb staining from tea, coffee, and other foods, though modern high-density PMMA is better in this regard than older formulations.
• Shorter lifespan — typically 5-10 years for the prosthesis itself before it needs replacement or significant refurbishment.
• Less translucency — acrylic does not replicate the natural light translucency of tooth enamel as convincingly as zirconia, which can affect how natural the result looks under certain lighting conditions.

Full-Arch Zirconia Prosthesis: Pros and Cons

Zirconia (zirconium dioxide) is a ceramic material used in dentistry for its hardness, biocompatibility, and aesthetic properties. A full-arch zirconia prosthesis is milled from a solid block of zirconia using CAD/CAM technology and is the premium option for All-on-6 permanent restorations.

Advantages of Zirconia

• Highly aesthetic — monolithic zirconia has a translucency and tooth-like quality that closely resembles natural enamel. The appearance in direct light and natural lighting is superior to acrylic for most patients.
• Extremely hard and durable — zirconia is highly resistant to wear and fracture under normal biting forces. It does not stain in the same way acrylic does.
• Longer lifespan — a well-made zirconia prosthesis can last 15-20 years or longer with proper care.
• Maintains appearance — the colour and surface quality of zirconia holds well over time compared to acrylic.

Disadvantages of Zirconia

• Higher cost — full-arch zirconia prostheses require specialist CAD/CAM milling and more laboratory time to produce. The cost is meaningfully higher than acrylic.
• More complex to adjust after fitting — zirconia cannot be easily trimmed and polished in-chair in the same way acrylic can. If the bite is not quite right, adjustments are more limited and significant modifications may require the prosthesis to be sent back to the lab.
• More difficult to repair — zirconia chips cannot be repaired in the same way acrylic damage can. A chipped or cracked zirconia prosthesis often needs to be fully remade.
• Heavier — zirconia is denser than acrylic, which makes the prosthesis heavier. This is rarely a significant concern but can be noticeable, particularly for the upper arch.

Which Material Is Used for Temporaries vs Permanents

The temporary prosthesis — the one fitted on surgery day that is worn during the osseointegration period — is almost always acrylic. There is no clinical reason to use a more expensive material for a prosthesis that will be replaced; the temporary is functional, not final.

For the permanent prosthesis (fitted once osseointegration is confirmed, typically 4-6 months after surgery), both acrylic and zirconia are used in practice. The choice depends on patient budget and preference, the clinic's recommendation, and what was specified in the original treatment plan.

Why This Matters in Your Quote

One of the most common sources of confusion — and sometimes disappointment — in overseas All-on-6 treatment is the material of the permanent prosthesis. Some clinics present zirconia as the default and quote accordingly. Others include acrylic as standard and offer zirconia as an upgrade, sometimes without making this clear in the headline price.

When comparing quotes from different clinics, always confirm in writing whether the permanent prosthesis material is acrylic or zirconia. A quote that is £1,000 lower than another may simply be providing acrylic where the other offers zirconia. Both are legitimate options — but you need to know which one you are agreeing to before signing.

If a clinic quotes "full zirconia" at a price that seems very low compared to other clinics, ask whether the entire prosthesis is monolithic zirconia or whether only certain elements are. Some prostheses described as "zirconia" have a zirconia framework with composite resin or acrylic tooth facings — which is a different (and less expensive) construction than a fully milled monolithic zirconia arch.

What to Ask Your Clinic

• Is the permanent prosthesis in this quote acrylic (PMMA) or monolithic zirconia?
• If zirconia is mentioned: is the entire arch milled in monolithic zirconia, or is it a hybrid construction?
• What is the cost difference if I want to upgrade to zirconia (or downgrade to acrylic)?
• What is your lab and how is the prosthesis fabricated?
• What is the expected lifespan of the prosthesis material you are providing?

For the full guide on questions to ask clinics before agreeing to treatment, see our 12 questions to ask before proceeding. And for the full cost breakdown covering how prosthesis material affects the total price, see our All-on-6 cost breakdown guide.