Implants: All On 4 vs All On 6

Millcreek_UT_Dentist
Medically Reviewed By
Jonathan G. Campbell, DDS, FAGD
One of the top rated Dentist in Salt Lake City, UT
A young old couple smiling with hug

If you have some missing teeth in your mouth and you've been researching a replacement strategy, you may already have come across the terms all-on-4 and all-on-6. The first difference these two techniques involves the actual implant process. All-on-4 requires just four implants to be installed in your upper or lower jaw bone, while all-on-6 requires six implants. Six full implants are needed to support a hybrid denture, and that is sometimes necessary when there is inadequate jawbone mass to support all-on-4 implants. Dental implants are probably the best way to replace any missing teeth, and that's why we encourage them at our Legacy Dental clinic in Salt Lake City.

Differences of the two approaches

As mentioned above, the all-on-4 system requires only four implants to support an entire arch of missing teeth. Both strategies are actually very beneficial for your jawbone, since they stimulate it and tend to keep it healthy. Any tooth replacement strategy which does not use implants will not be providing the same stimulation to the jaw bone. When the jaw bone receives no stimulation, it tends to recede and diminish. If that happens, it can cause the facial features to appear sunken, and you might look old well before your actual time.

The all-on-6 method of implants does require six implants, and this provides even more stimulation for the jaw bone to keep it healthy. They will be spaced closer together than the all-on-4 implants. That means they can deliver even more strength and support to the hybrid dentures which get attached. Whereas the all-on-4 implants must have the rear support posts installed at an angle, the posts for all-on-6 implants all set vertically to provide as much structure and strength as possible.

Both processes will require somewhere between two and three hours to be completed. In most cases, patients are administered general anesthesia so as to make the entire procedure much more comfortable. In either case, it will be necessary for the titanium implants to fuse with the jaw bone so they can be as supportive as possible. It will take somewhere between three and six months for full osseointegration to take place. In the meantime, you can have temporary dentures installed while you're waiting. Then, when healing has fully taken place and the dental implants have fused with the jaw bone, you can have permanent dentures installed.

The dentures which get installed can either be removable or fixed, and you'll be able to discuss with your doctor the best approach for you. This will give you a good idea of which option might be best for your circumstances. Either one of these two options will deliver the necessary support for your eventual dentures, so the primary difference is in the condition of your jaw bone. Dentists may prefer using an all-on-6 approach, because of its superior structural support and strength. However, all-on-4 implants can be perfectly viable as well. In either case, you'll be getting a set of replacement teeth which act very much like your original teeth, and in which you can have full confidence and  for  further improvement in your smile you can also contact to the cosmetic dentist.

Which is better?

Intrinsically, neither of the two strategies for tooth replacement is better than the other. In fact, they are both extremely similar in that they rely on implants for supporting the dental appliance. If one or the other is better for you personally, it will be because one is better suited for the specific condition of your jaw bone. When you lack sufficient jaw bone to support all-on-4 dental implants, it's usually better to go with the extra support of all-on-6 implants. When using the all-on-6 method, it's not as necessary to get so much support from each individual implant, because the support can actually be spread out over six full implants. So in terms of which approach is better for you, this is something you'll have to discuss with your dentist, after your mouth has been fully examined.

Legacy Dental and All-on-4 or All-on-6

At Legacy Dental in Salt Lake City, we encourage patients to replace teeth with dental implants, because we know what excellent performance they deliver. Dental implants can be very effective replacements, and they don't damage any other teeth in your mouth if you still have some natural teeth in place. Given the fact that they look so natural and function just like normal teeth, they are an excellent option for teeth replacement. On top of everything else, titanium happens to be one of the most biocompatible materials in existence.

This means that it fuses very well with your jaw bone, and it's also used in many knee and hip replacements. Our dental experts at Legacy Dental have performed hundreds of dental implants in the past, and continue to educate themselves about the nuances of Implant Dentistry. That means there's no better place for you to go than our dental clinic in Salt Lake City. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation about replacing your missing teeth. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have,  we are for all of your emergency situation  and we'll be glad to set you up with a first appointment. We can discuss everything about any given procedure at this appointment, so you'll be fully informed and can make the best possible decision.

All-on-4 and All-on-6 at Legacy Dental

Most patients who require an entire arch of upper or lower teeth to be replaced can be handled using all-on-4 dental implants. In some cases, it may be necessary to use six implants, usually when there's inadequate jawbone to use just four implants. When you consult with us, we'll make a thorough examination of your mouth to determine which implant system would be better in your case. We'll discuss all the ramifications with you, and then leave it up to you to make the final choice. Contact us today at Legacy Dental, so we can get the process started of installing your new set of teeth. Once you have your natural smile Back and your teeth are fully functional, you'll have a whole new outlook on things and you'll be much more confident about yourself.

Legacy Dental blog is proudly run by our Salt Lake City dentists team; We share knowledge about general dental care and practices. Apart from running this blog, we offer various dental services such as general dentistry, emergency dentistry, and dental implants for the community in Salt Lake City, Utah

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