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All-on-6® is a modern full-arch tooth replacement strategy that secures a complete, fixed prosthesis on six dental implants. Rather than relying on removable dentures, this approach uses a series of titanium implants placed strategically along the jaw to support a bridge of teeth. The result is a stable, permanent restoration that looks, feels, and functions much more like natural teeth than conventional removable options.
Patients considering All-on-6® typically seek a long-term solution for extensive tooth loss, chronic denture instability, or the desire to avoid frequent denture maintenance. The technique is designed to distribute chewing forces more evenly across the jaw, improving comfort and reducing the risk of component overload. This makes it an attractive option for adults who want predictable function and greater confidence while eating, speaking, and smiling.
Although the name emphasizes six implants per arch, the core principle is providing a rigid, well-supported foundation for a full set of replacement teeth. That foundation helps preserve function and facial structure, a critical consideration when multiple teeth are missing or when long-term denture wear has led to bone changes. All-on-6® is one of several implant-based approaches; the decision to use six implants reflects a balance between support, biomechanics, and individualized anatomy.
A successful All-on-6® outcome starts with careful planning. The clinical team will gather a thorough medical and dental history, take high-resolution imaging such as CBCT scans, and perform a detailed oral exam to evaluate bone volume and anatomical landmarks. Digital planning tools allow the clinician to visualize implant positions and anticipate potential challenges before any surgery begins.
On the day of implant placement, six implants are positioned in areas of sufficient bone using precision-guided techniques whenever possible. In many cases, patients receive a provisional prosthesis the same day or soon afterward, giving immediate function and appearance while the implants integrate with the jawbone. This immediate-loading option helps maintain speech and diet during the healing phase and significantly reduces the adjustment period associated with removable dentures.
Once implants have integrated—typically over several months—the provisional prosthesis is replaced with a definitive, laboratory-crafted bridge. That final restoration is designed for long-term durability and esthetics, using materials that balance strength, comfort, and a lifelike appearance. Follow-up visits ensure proper fit, occlusion (bite), and tissue health as the mouth adapts to the new prosthesis.
All-on-6® offers a number of practical benefits. Fixed prostheses eliminate the need for adhesives and the daily removal and cleaning routine required by removable dentures. This tends to improve patient confidence and reduce social and functional limitations associated with denture slippage. Because the restoration is anchored to implants, chewing efficiency and speech are generally superior to what removable prosthetics provide.
From a biological standpoint, implants help preserve the jawbone by transferring functional forces into the bone, which stimulates maintenance of bone volume. Over time, this can slow the bone resorption that commonly accompanies long-term denture wear. Compared to approaches that rely on fewer implants or extensive grafting, the six-implant pattern can offer enhanced biomechanical support and a more even distribution of masticatory loads.
Maintenance for an All-on-6® restoration focuses on good oral hygiene and periodic professional care. The replacement teeth are cleaned similarly to natural teeth, with attention to the implant interfaces and surrounding gums. Regular checkups allow the dental team to monitor implant health and the integrity of the prosthesis, addressing minor adjustments before they become problems.
Candidacy for All-on-6® is determined through clinical assessment rather than a single checklist. Key factors include overall health, jawbone quantity and quality, gum health, and the patient’s goals for comfort and function. Patients with controlled systemic conditions, such as well-managed diabetes or a history of periodontal disease that has been treated, can often proceed with implant therapy after appropriate evaluation and coordination of care.
Bone availability is an important consideration. While All-on-6® can sometimes avoid extensive grafting by using tilted or longer implants to access better bone, some patients may still require augmentation procedures to achieve optimal implant placement. Advanced imaging and digital planning make it possible to assess these needs in advance and to discuss surgical options tailored to each patient’s anatomy.
Other considerations include smoking, oral hygiene habits, and realistic expectations about outcomes. Smoking can impede healing and increase the risk of implant complications, so cessation or reduction is strongly encouraged before and after surgery. The clinical team will review all medical and dental factors and outline a recommended care pathway so patients can make informed decisions.
Early recovery after All-on-6® typically involves a few days to a couple of weeks of soft-tissue healing, during which mild swelling and sensitivity are common. Patients on immediate provisional prostheses can usually function with a modified diet and routine oral hygiene as recommended by the clinical team. Pain and swelling are managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications and by following post-operative instructions closely.
During the integration period, the implants form a stable union with the bone. Follow-up visits will include clinical checks and imaging to confirm successful osseointegration. Once the final prosthesis is placed, the focus shifts to optimizing bite, esthetics, and long-term maintenance. The lab-fabricated bridge is calibrated to provide a comfortable occlusion and to support efficient chewing while protecting the implants.
Long-term success depends on regular professional maintenance and consistent at-home hygiene. Patients are usually seen for routine cleanings and examinations at intervals recommended by the clinician, which allows early detection and management of any complications. With proper care, an All-on-6® restoration can deliver years of predictable function, improved quality of life, and a return to many of the daily activities patients may have avoided with removable dentures.
When someone expresses interest in All-on-6®, we begin with a comprehensive consultation that covers medical history, imaging, and treatment goals. This ensures every recommendation aligns with the patient’s health, anatomical situation, and desired outcome. Treatment planning is collaborative: we explain options, expected timelines, and what each stage of care involves so patients feel informed and prepared.
The clinical team coordinates surgical and restorative phases to streamline care and reduce anxiety. From digital planning to temporary restorations and eventual delivery of the definitive bridge, our approach emphasizes predictability and patient comfort. We also review long-term maintenance and answer questions about daily care to help patients preserve their new restorations for years to come.
Morrison Dental Care brings experience and modern technology to implant planning and full-arch rehabilitation, helping patients explore whether All-on-6® is the right path for restoring their smile and oral function. If you’re considering a stable, fixed alternative to removable dentures, we can evaluate your situation and outline a personalized plan.
All-on-6® provides a fixed, implant-supported solution for patients seeking a long-term alternative to traditional dentures. It combines surgical planning, implant placement, and a carefully designed prosthesis to restore function, preserve oral structure, and improve daily comfort. The approach emphasizes stability, predictable biomechanics, and a return to more natural eating and speaking patterns.
If you would like to learn whether All-on-6® could be right for you, contact us for more information. Our team will be glad to discuss the evaluation process and next steps toward a restorative solution tailored to your needs.
All-on-6 is a full-arch tooth replacement method that uses six strategically placed dental implants to support a complete fixed prosthesis for the upper or lower jaw. The implants act as long-term anchors, allowing the replacement teeth to feel and function much like natural teeth. This approach eliminates the need for removable dentures and the adhesives they require.
The procedure is designed to restore chewing function, speech, and facial support for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth. Many practices, including Morrison Dental Care, use advanced imaging and digital planning to determine ideal implant positions and to design a stable prosthesis. The result is a durable, convenient solution that patients care for similarly to natural teeth.
Traditional removable dentures rest on the gums and are taken out for cleaning, whereas All-on-6 provides a permanently fixed prosthesis attached to implants. Compared with single-tooth implants or implant-supported bridges, All-on-6 uses a strategic distribution of six implants to improve load distribution and stability across the entire arch. This difference often translates to better chewing efficiency and a more natural feel for many patients.
Compared with All-on-4 or other reduced-implant protocols, All-on-6 can offer increased support and redundancy because of the additional implants. The extra implants can be particularly helpful in cases with higher bite forces or when clinicians want to minimize the need for future prosthetic reinforcement. Clinical planning, bone quality, and patient-specific goals determine which approach is recommended.
Good candidates typically include people who are missing most or all teeth in an arch, those with failing dentition, or patients who want a fixed alternative to removable dentures. Adequate jawbone volume and density are important for implant stability, but modern planning and implant placement techniques can often accommodate a range of bone presentations. Overall health factors such as well-controlled diabetes and non-smoking status improve predictability and long-term success.
An in-person evaluation with clinical exam and three-dimensional imaging helps determine candidacy and whether adjunctive procedures are needed. The practice will review medical history, oral health, and functional goals to develop a tailored plan. Shared decision-making ensures the recommended solution aligns with the patient’s lifestyle and expectations.
The process begins with a comprehensive consultation, diagnostic imaging and treatment planning to map optimal implant positions and prosthetic design. On the day of surgery, six implants are placed and a temporary fixed prosthesis is often attached to restore function and esthetics immediately. This provisional prosthesis allows patients to leave the office with teeth while the implants integrate with the bone.
Osseointegration usually takes several months, after which the final custom prosthesis is fabricated and secured to the implants. Throughout this period the team monitors healing, adjusts the temporary prosthesis as needed, and ensures the final restoration meets comfort and functional goals. The exact timeline varies by individual healing and specific clinical factors identified during planning.
All-on-6 can reduce the need for extensive bone grafting compared with protocols that require individual implants at every missing tooth site, but grafts are sometimes necessary depending on bone volume and anatomy. Advanced imaging such as CBCT helps clinicians assess bone quality and determine whether ridge augmentation or sinus lifts are indicated. When grafting is required, it may be performed prior to or at the time of implant placement based on the treatment plan.
In many cases, the goal is to minimize additional surgeries by selecting implant positions that use existing bone optimally and by employing grafting only where it improves long-term stability. Your dentist will explain any recommended preparatory procedures, the rationale for them, and how they impact the overall timeline and expected outcomes. Thorough planning helps ensure predictable implant integration and prosthetic support.
Long-term care of All-on-6 prostheses combines daily home hygiene with routine professional maintenance. Brushing twice daily with a soft brush and using interdental brushes or specialized floss under the prosthesis helps remove plaque and food debris from implant surfaces and around abutments. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine reduces the risk of peri-implant inflammation and other complications.
Regular recall visits for professional cleanings and examinations are essential to monitor tissue health, check prosthetic components, and catch issues early. The dental team may recommend specific tools or cleaning techniques tailored to the prosthesis design, and they will perform periodic radiographic assessments to confirm bone stability around the implants. Adhering to scheduled maintenance optimizes the lifespan of the restoration.
Initial recovery commonly includes swelling, mild to moderate discomfort, and minor bleeding for the first few days, which are managed with rest, prescribed or recommended analgesics, and ice as directed. Patients usually follow a soft or blended diet for several days to weeks to protect surgical sites and reduce pressure on the implants. The temporary prosthesis provides function, but patients are advised to avoid very hard or sticky foods until the implants have sufficiently integrated.
Follow-up appointments during the healing period ensure proper tissue recovery and prosthesis fit, and the team will provide detailed post-operative instructions for oral care and activity limitations. Most people return to normal dietary habits gradually as healing progresses and their clinician confirms implant stability. Clear communication about symptoms and adherence to aftercare guidance supports a smooth recovery.
When properly planned, placed and maintained, All-on-6 implants and their supported prostheses can provide many years of reliable function and esthetics. Implant longevity is influenced by factors such as oral hygiene, regular professional maintenance, smoking status, systemic health conditions, and the quality of prosthetic materials and occlusal design. Appropriate surgical technique and precise prosthetic fit also play a major role in long-term success.
Prosthetic components like teeth and acrylic or porcelain facing materials may wear over time and might require repairs or replacement independent of the implants themselves. Regular monitoring allows clinicians to address wear, loose screws, or minor damage early to prevent more significant issues. With attentive care and routine dental visits, many patients enjoy durable, satisfactory results for years to come.
Potential risks include surgical complications, infection, implant failure, peri-implantitis, and prosthetic issues such as loosening or wear. Early detection through regular follow-up and good oral hygiene reduces the severity of many issues, and clinicians use antibiotics, professional debridement, or surgical intervention when infections or bone loss are identified. In the event of implant failure, options may include replacing the failed implant, modifying the prosthesis, or alternative restorative approaches based on the clinical situation.
Comprehensive preoperative assessment and careful surgical technique minimize many risks, and patient education about post-operative care and maintenance further reduces complications. The dental team will explain the most relevant risks for each patient and outline contingency plans so patients understand how potential problems would be managed. Open communication and prompt attention to symptoms are key to effective complication management.
Deciding whether All-on-6 is appropriate involves a detailed clinical evaluation, imaging, and a discussion of your functional goals, esthetic expectations and medical history. The dentist will compare available alternatives such as full removable dentures, All-on-4, or individual implant restorations and explain the trade-offs in stability, maintenance, and long-term predictability. This comparative conversation helps patients weigh which option best meets their lifestyle and oral health needs.
Scheduling a consultation is the best way to get personalized recommendations based on your anatomy and goals, and most consultations include diagnostic imaging and a proposed treatment outline. The practice in Clifton Park will review the anticipated procedure sequence, healing expectations and maintenance requirements so you can make an informed decision. A thoughtful, individualized plan ensures the chosen solution aligns with your priorities and clinical circumstances.
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1524 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065