The All-on-6 procedure, step by step

Before surgery: the assessment

The Oral Health Foundation says you should always receive a clear treatment plan explaining each stage and the costs. The British Society of Periodontology adds that the final teeth should be planned first, before any implant is placed, because the bridge decides where the implants go.

• X-ray and 3D scan to measure bone height and width, and locate the sinuses and nerve.
• Medical history: medicines (especially blood thinners and bone medicines), diabetes, smoking.
• Gum health: any active gum disease treated before implants.
• A written plan: number of implants, brand, temporary and final materials, timeline.

Surgery day

1. NumbingLocal anaesthetic is given so the jaw is numb. If sedation is part of your plan, it's given first.
2. Removing remaining teethAny teeth that can't be saved are taken out, and the sockets cleaned.
3. Placing six implantsThe gum is opened, the bone shaped where needed and six implants placed along the jaw at the planned positions.
4. Abutments and stitchesConnectors are attached to the implants and the gum is stitched around them.
5. Records for your temporary teethScans or impressions are taken so the temporary bridge can be made.

When the anaesthetic wears off, soreness and swelling are normal. Follow the aftercare you're given: the Oral Health Foundation's advice after extractions includes resting, keeping your head raised, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and not rinsing hard in the first 24 hours.

Temporary teeth

If the implants are firm enough, a fixed acrylic temporary bridge is often fitted within a day or two. It lets you smile and eat soft foods while the implants heal. If the implants aren't stable enough, the dentist may wait, or use a removable temporary. See All-on-6 temporary teeth.

Healing

The Oral Health Foundation says implants usually take around four months to heal and bond with the bone. It can be longer, for example after a bone graft. During this time you stick to softer foods and keep the area very clean. See the recovery, week by week.

The final bridge

1. Implant positions recorded with scans. Some clinics use photogrammetry: a camera records all six implant positions at once, guided by workflows such as the ITI's.
2. Try-in of a prototype to check look, speech and bite.
3. Final fit: the bridge is screwed onto the implants and the bite fine-tuned.
4. Records to keep: implant brand, system and positions, X-rays, and cleaning instructions.

Having treatment abroad? How the stages fit into two trips is covered on All-on-6 in Turkey.

Common questions

Am I awake for All-on-6 surgery?

Usually, yes. The surgery is normally done under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb. Some clinics offer sedation to help you relax; ask what is available and what it involves.

How long does the surgery take?

It depends on how many teeth are removed and whether one or both jaws are treated. Ask your clinic for a time estimate for your own plan; for one jaw it is typically a matter of hours, not a full day.

Can teeth be removed and implants placed on the same day?

Often, yes. Placing implants straight after extractions is common in full-arch treatment, if the bone and infection levels allow.

Do I get teeth the same day?

In some cases, yes. The Oral Health Foundation says it may be possible to place the replacement teeth on the same day; your implant dentist decides if it's suitable.

Sources

1. Oral Health Foundation — Understanding dental implants (stages, healing, same-day teeth)
2. Oral Health Foundation — What to do following an extraction
3. British Society of Periodontology — Patient FAQs: dental implants (planning first)
4. ITI — Extra-oral photogrammetry (EPG): step-by-step workflow guide

Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.