What is All-on-6?
A whole row of teeth, upper or lower, fixed onto six implants in the jaw. Here's how it works, in plain English.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026All-on-6 is a way of replacing all the teeth in one jaw with a fixed bridge held by six dental implants. The implants act as artificial roots; the bridge is screwed onto them, so it doesn't come out like a denture. It is used when most teeth are missing or can't be saved, and there is enough bone for six implants.
The idea in one picture
Imagine a bridge across a river. Instead of one pillar for every metre, a few strong pillars carry the whole span. In All-on-6, the "pillars" are six implants placed along your jaw, and the "span" is a single bridge carrying 10 to 14 teeth.
The NHS describes implants as "a fixed alternative to removable dentures": a titanium screw placed in the jaw bone supports a crown, bridge or denture. All-on-6 uses that principle for a whole jaw at once.
The parts
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Six implants | Titanium screws in the jawbone. Once healed, they bond with the bone and act as roots. |
| Abutments | Connectors screwed into the implants that bring them all to a common level and angle, so one bridge can fit. |
| Frame | Often a milled titanium bar inside the bridge, for strength and rigidity. |
| Bridge | The teeth and pink gum you see, usually zirconia or acrylic. Screwed onto the abutments. |
| Temporary bridge | A lighter acrylic bridge you wear while the implants heal, typically for around four months. |
Read more: zirconia, acrylic and titanium explained.
How it differs from other options
- Against a full denture: a denture rests on the gums and comes out. All-on-6 is fixed, doesn't move when you eat, and leaves the roof of the mouth uncovered. See All-on-6 vs dentures.
- Against a clip-on denture: an implant-retained denture clips onto two to four implants but still comes out for cleaning. It needs fewer implants and less surgery. Our sister guide Dentures or Implants covers this choice.
- Against one implant per tooth: replacing a whole jaw tooth by tooth would mean many more implants, more surgery and usually more bone grafting. A full arch on six is the usual approach when all teeth go.
- Against All-on-4: four implants, two of them usually angled at the back. Often used where there's less bone. See why six implants.
Who it's usually for
All-on-6 is considered when most or all teeth in a jaw are missing, failing from gum disease or decay, or can't be saved. It needs enough bone along the jaw for six implants, reasonable general health, and a commitment to daily cleaning and regular check-ups.
The British Society of Periodontology says implants are suitable for most fully grown adults with no active dental disease and in good general health, and warns they're not permanent and need long-term maintenance.
Not sure if that's you? Try the suitability self-check.
How the treatment runs
- Assessment: X-ray, 3D scan and medical history. A written plan follows.
- Surgery: any remaining teeth removed and six implants placed, usually under local anaesthetic. See surgery day.
- Temporary teeth: often fitted within a day or two. See temporary teeth.
- Healing: the Oral Health Foundation says implants usually take around four months to heal. See recovery.
- Final bridge: made from new scans, tried in and fitted.
Costs and travel are covered by our sister guides: what All-on-6 costs and having All-on-6 in Turkey.
Common questions
Is All-on-6 a brand?
No. "All-on-6" is a description: a full arch of teeth on six implants. Different clinics use different implant brands to do it. All-on-4® on the other hand is a trademark of Nobel Biocare.
Can I take All-on-6 teeth out?
No. The bridge is screwed onto the implants. Your dentist can unscrew it, for example for a professional clean or a repair, but you can't remove it yourself.
Does All-on-6 cover the roof of my mouth?
No. Unlike most upper dentures, an upper All-on-6 bridge leaves the palate uncovered, which many people find makes food taste and feel more natural.
Can I have All-on-6 on both jaws?
Yes. Upper and lower jaws can be treated together or at different times. Each jaw gets its own six implants and its own bridge.
Sources
- NHS — Dental treatments (implants as a fixed alternative to dentures)
- Oral Health Foundation — Understanding dental implants
- British Society of Periodontology — Patient FAQs: dental implants
- Nobel Biocare — All-on-4® treatment concept
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Ask a dentist-led team, without the sales pitch.
Tell us what you're considering. A real person replies in plain English, and will tell you honestly if All-on-6 isn't the right step for you.