All-on-6® is a full-arch tooth replacement approach that uses six dental implants to support a permanent prosthesis for an entire upper or lower jaw. Unlike removable dentures, which sit on the gums and rely on adhesives, this method anchors a fixed arch directly to implants placed in the jawbone. The result is a restoration that behaves more like natural teeth: stable, secure, and integrated with the surrounding bone.
The key distinction with a six-implant design is distribution of support. By using six implants, clinicians can often achieve broader load sharing and improved prosthetic stability across the arch. This can be especially helpful in cases where clinicians want to maximize support for chewing forces or reduce stress on any single implant site.
It’s important to recognize that All-on-6® is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s one of several implant-based strategies for full-arch rehabilitation. The choice between different implant concepts depends on each patient’s anatomy, functional needs, and long-term goals, which is why a thorough evaluation and individualized treatment plan are essential.
Successful All-on-6® care begins with a comprehensive diagnostic phase. This typically includes a clinical exam, digital imaging such as CBCT scans, and a review of medical and dental history. These steps allow the dental team to assess bone volume and quality, identify important anatomical landmarks, and map optimal implant positions before a single incision is made.
During the surgical appointment, six specialized implants are strategically placed along the jaw to create a foundation for the prosthesis. In many cases a temporary set of teeth can be attached the same day, providing immediate function and an improved aesthetic while the implants integrate with the bone. This “immediate load” approach is carefully managed to protect the implants during the early healing phase.
Following surgery, a period of healing — typically several months — allows for osseointegration, the biological process by which bone bonds to the implant surface. Once integration and soft tissue healing are confirmed, the temporary prosthesis is replaced with a final, precisely fabricated arch that balances function, comfort, and appearance.
Patients who choose All-on-6® often report a dramatic improvement in everyday function. A fixed prosthesis restores the ability to chew a wider variety of foods with greater force and stability than conventional dentures. This can make meal times more enjoyable and less restrictive, supporting overall nutrition and quality of life.
Speech and comfort are commonly improved as well. Because the arch is anchored to implants rather than relying on suction or adhesives, it moves far less during speaking and laughing. This stability reduces the worry about slippage and can restore confidence in social and professional settings.
Beyond immediate comfort, implant-supported arches help preserve jawbone over time. When implants stimulate the bone similarly to natural teeth, they can slow the bone loss that often accompanies long-term denture wear. Maintaining bone volume supports facial contours and helps sustain prosthetic fit and function for years to come.
Good candidates for All-on-6® are typically adults missing most or all teeth in an arch, or those whose remaining teeth are not restorable and would be better replaced by an implant-supported solution. A healthy mouth and overall good medical status are important considerations; conditions that affect healing and bone metabolism are evaluated during the planning phase.
Bone quantity and quality play a central role in candidacy. Because All-on-6® uses multiple implants, it can sometimes reduce the need for extensive grafting compared with single-implant restorations spread across multiple locations. However, each case is unique, and imaging is required to determine whether additional procedures like bone grafting or sinus elevation are necessary.
Lifestyle factors and oral hygiene habits also influence long-term success. Tobacco use, uncontrolled systemic health conditions, and inconsistent home care can impact healing and implant longevity. During an initial consultation, the treatment team will discuss these considerations and outline steps to optimize outcomes.
The early recovery period after implant placement typically involves swelling, mild discomfort, and dietary adjustments while tissues heal. Pain and swelling are usually managed with prescribed or recommended medications and by following post-operative care instructions. Patients are advised to follow a soft-food regimen during the initial healing phase to minimize undue forces on the provisional prosthesis.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing, check implant stability, and make any necessary adjustments to the temporary prosthesis. Once healing is complete and implant integration is confirmed, the final prosthesis is delivered. This final restoration is carefully refined to achieve proper bite alignment, esthetics, and ease of cleaning.
Long-term success relies on routine dental care and maintenance. Regular professional exams and cleanings help detect and manage issues early, while daily brushing and interdental cleaning around the prosthesis prevent plaque buildup and gum inflammation. With attentive hygiene and regular follow-up, many patients enjoy excellent function and longevity from their All-on-6® restoration.
At Suss Dental Group, our approach to full-arch rehabilitation emphasizes careful planning, clear communication, and customized care to help each patient achieve a reliable, long-lasting result. If you’re curious whether All-on-6® is the right path for your smile, please contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about the treatment process and what to expect.
All-on-6® is a full-arch tooth replacement method that secures a fixed dental prosthesis to six implants placed across the upper or lower jaw. The implants are anchored in the jawbone and support a permanent bridge that functions much like natural teeth, offering stability for chewing and speaking. Because the prosthesis is attached to implants rather than resting on the gums, patients experience less movement and do not need adhesives.
The six-implant design spreads biting forces across more points of support, which can improve prosthetic stability and reduce stress on any single implant. In many cases a temporary prosthesis can be attached the same day as surgery to restore function while the implants integrate with bone. Final restoration occurs after osseointegration and soft tissue healing to optimize fit, bite and esthetics.
The primary technical difference is the number and placement of implants: All-on-6® uses six implants while All-on-4® typically uses four, and other strategies may use different configurations based on clinical needs. More implants can allow broader load distribution and may reduce cantilevers on the prosthesis, which is useful when the goal is to maximize support for heavy chewing forces. Each approach aims to restore a full arch, but they vary in surgical planning, prosthetic design and how they address site-specific anatomy.
Choice of technique is guided by diagnostic imaging, bone volume and density, prosthetic goals and the clinician’s assessment of long-term function. Advanced imaging and digital planning help determine whether a six-implant solution offers meaningful advantages for a given patient. Ultimately the decision is individualized to balance predictability, hygiene access and biomechanical considerations.
Good candidates are adults who are missing most or all teeth in an arch or whose remaining teeth are not restorable and are better replaced with an implant-supported solution. Patients should be in generally good health and able to undergo minor oral surgery; conditions that affect healing or bone metabolism will be evaluated during the consultation. Tobacco use, uncontrolled systemic disease and poor oral hygiene can negatively affect outcomes and are addressed as part of candidacy assessment.
Bone quantity and quality are important factors, and many patients will need CBCT imaging to determine whether six implants can be placed without extensive grafting. In some cases All-on-6® can minimize the need for grafting by distributing implants into available bone, but each case is unique. The treatment team will recommend any preparatory procedures required to create a stable foundation for long-term success.
Treatment begins with a comprehensive diagnostic phase that usually includes a clinical exam, digital impressions and CBCT imaging to map bone anatomy and vital structures. Based on this information the team creates a surgical plan and a prosthetic plan so implant positions and provisional restorations are coordinated before surgery. The surgical appointment involves placement of six implants, and in many cases a provisional fixed prosthesis is attached the same day to restore appearance and basic function.
Following surgery there is a healing period of several months during which osseointegration occurs and soft tissues mature under careful monitoring. Once integration is confirmed the provisional is replaced with a final, precisely crafted prosthesis that balances esthetics and occlusion. Periodic follow-up visits are scheduled to make any refinements and to maintain long-term health of the implants and surrounding tissues.
High-resolution CBCT scans are commonly used to evaluate bone volume, bone quality and the location of anatomical landmarks such as nerves and sinuses. Digital impressions and 3D planning software enable the clinician to simulate implant placement and design surgical guides that increase precision during the procedure. This digital workflow improves predictability and helps the restorative team fabricate temporaries that fit the planned implant positions.
Surgical guides and prosthetic-driven planning also allow the team to optimize implant angulation and depth to support a durable final restoration. Interdisciplinary coordination between surgical and laboratory personnel is often part of the process to ensure the prosthesis will meet functional and esthetic goals. Detailed planning reduces surprises during surgery and supports a smoother course from placement to final restoration.
As with any surgical procedure, All-on-6® carries risks such as infection, temporary swelling, postoperative bleeding and the rare possibility of nerve irritation or sinus involvement depending on implant sites. Implant failure can occur in a small percentage of cases due to infection, inadequate integration or excessive early forces. The practice minimizes risk through careful planning, sterile surgical technique, and patient selection, and by providing clear postoperative instructions to support healing.
When complications arise they are addressed promptly with conservative measures whenever possible, including local therapy, adjustments to the prosthesis, or additional surgical intervention if necessary. Long-term risks such as peri-implantitis are managed with hygiene instruction, professional maintenance and early treatment of inflammation. Open communication and scheduled follow-up visits help detect issues early and preserve implant health.
Daily care includes thorough brushing of the prosthesis and surrounding gum tissues, use of interdental brushes or floss designed for implant-supported restorations, and rinsing as recommended by your clinician. A water flosser can be a helpful adjunct to dislodge debris beneath the prosthetic framework, and patients should follow any specific tools or techniques suggested by their dental team. Consistent, gentle cleaning helps prevent plaque buildup and inflammation around the implants.
Regular professional maintenance is also essential; the dental team will schedule periodontal assessments and cleanings to monitor tissue health and remove hard deposits that at-home care cannot address. Avoiding tobacco and managing bruxism or other parafunctional habits further supports longevity. With disciplined home care and routine professional visits, patients significantly improve the prospects for long-term implant success.
Early recovery typically involves mild to moderate swelling, bruising in some patients and discomfort that can be managed with prescribed or recommended medications. Patients are usually advised to follow a soft-food diet for a period to avoid placing excessive forces on the provisional prosthesis while implants begin to integrate. Clear postoperative instructions regarding oral hygiene, activity restrictions and signs of complications are provided to support an uncomplicated recovery.
Follow-up visits occur in the first days and weeks after surgery to monitor healing and make any necessary adjustments to the temporary prosthesis. Most patients gradually return to routine activities within a few days, but complete osseointegration takes several months and requires patience and adherence to care guidelines. If concerning symptoms such as uncontrolled pain, fever or persistent drainage occur, patients should contact the office promptly for evaluation.
Implant posts themselves are designed to be a long-term solution and can last for decades when properly maintained, while the prosthetic teeth may require periodic repairs or replacement due to wear, fracture or changes in the supporting tissues. Longevity depends on patient factors such as oral hygiene, smoking status, systemic health and parafunctional habits like grinding. Regular professional care and early management of any soft-tissue inflammation are key contributors to lasting success.
Prosthetic components may need maintenance at predictable intervals to preserve fit and function, and the restorative material chosen for the final arch influences long-term wear characteristics. The practice emphasizes planning for maintainability and schedules routine evaluations to address minor issues before they become major problems. By combining careful design, patient compliance and consistent follow-up, many patients enjoy stable function and esthetics for many years.
Begin by contacting the office to request a consultation; during the visit the team will review your medical and dental history, perform a clinical exam and obtain any necessary imaging such as a CBCT scan. The clinician will discuss your goals, explain the diagnostic findings and review the implant-based options that best match your anatomy and lifestyle. This conversation helps determine whether All-on-6® is a suitable path or if alternative full-arch strategies would be more appropriate.
Patients in Bergenfield and the surrounding communities can arrange an evaluation with Suss Dental Group to learn more about the procedure, what to expect during treatment and the timeline for care. The consultation is an opportunity to ask detailed questions about surgical steps, maintenance requirements and the clinical rationale tailored to your case. From that assessment the team will recommend next steps and a personalized plan to restore function and esthetics.
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Contacting Suss Dental Group is easy! Our friendly staff is available to assist you with scheduling appointments, answering inquiries about treatment options, and addressing any concerns you may have. Whether you prefer to give us a call, send us an email, or fill out our convenient online contact form, we're here to help. Don't wait to take the first step towards achieving the smile of your dreams – reach out to us today and discover the difference personalized dental care can make.
