All-on-4 vs All-on-6: Which Is Right for You?

The idea behind both

When all teeth in an upper or lower arch are lost (or cannot be saved), a full denture is one option — but it can move, shift, and affect chewing. Implant-supported full arches replace all teeth with a fixed bridge anchored to 4 or 6 implants in the jaw.

All-on-4

• 4 implants per arch: 2 straight in the front, 2 tilted backwards toward the rear
• The tilting gets around limited bone height at the back of the jaw
• Often allows same-day teeth (temporary bridge placed immediately on surgery day)
• Backed by more than 20 years of published clinical data (Maló protocol, 1998)

Often suited to: patients with moderate-to-severe bone loss, budget constraints, or who want faster treatment.

All-on-6

• 6 implants per arch: more anchors, more stability
• Better for patients with heavier bite forces (grinders, muscular jaws)
• More forgiving if one implant ever has a complication — 5 remain functional
• Spreads chewing load across more implants, which some clinicians prefer for long-term stability

Often suited to: patients with adequate bone height, heavy bite forces, or anyone restoring both arches who wants a wider safety margin.

Cost difference in Dubai

• All-on-4 per arch: AED 55,000–90,000
• All-on-6 per arch: AED 75,000–120,000
• Both arches: each arch is priced separately, so ask for one itemised quote that covers both

What those fees include is broken down in All-on-4 cost in Dubai, and the treatment itself is described on the All-on-4 page.

Same-day teeth (immediate load)

Both protocols can support immediate loading — temporary fixed teeth placed within about 24 hours of implant surgery. The final prosthesis follows 3–4 months later, after the implants have integrated with the bone. The trade-offs are covered in immediate-load implants explained.

Who qualifies for same-day teeth:

• Adequate primary stability of implants (measurable at surgery)
• No severe medical conditions (uncontrolled diabetes, immunosuppression)
• Not a heavy smoker
• Willing to eat soft foods for the initial healing period

What the final prosthesis is made of

• Acrylic over titanium frame: lighter, more affordable, wears faster — commonly used for the temporary bridge
• Full zirconia (monolithic or layered): very durable and natural-looking — a common choice for the final bridge

Aftercare

How long a full-arch bridge lasts depends on the material, your bite forces and your care: an acrylic bridge typically needs remaking after around 5–10 years, while zirconia is more wear-resistant and generally lasts longer. The implants underneath can last much longer than the bridge. Care that protects both:

• Professional maintenance every 3–4 months
• Water flosser daily underneath the bridge
• Night guard to protect against grinding forces (see teeth grinding solutions)
• Periodic x-rays to check bone stability

The fixed bridge is removable only by the dentist for periodic cleaning — not by the patient. Daily cleaning is done underneath with a water flosser and interdental brushes.

The decision matrix

Neither is universally better. The right choice depends on your bone volume, bite force, and long-term priorities.

Practical decision guide

Implant planning is a medical and engineering decision. The useful question is not only whether an implant can be placed, but whether the bone, gum, bite, medical history, hygiene routine, and restoration design make it likely to stay healthy.

Check this first

• CBCT bone volume, gum thickness, sinus or nerve position, smoking/vaping history, diabetes control, and periodontal status.
• Whether the missing-tooth space needs grafting, sinus lift, temporary teeth, or staged treatment.
• How the final crown, bridge, denture, or full-arch restoration will be cleaned and maintained.

When to book sooner

• There is swelling, pus, implant mobility, persistent bleeding, or a bad taste around an implant.
• A recent extraction site is planned for an implant but no grafting or bone-preservation discussion happened.
• You have uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, heavy smoking, or bisphosphonate/osteoporosis medication history.

Topic-specific notes

• For implant treatment, ask how bone, gum thickness, bite forces, smoking, diabetes control, and cleaning access affect the plan. A technically placed implant still fails if the long-term maintenance plan is weak.

Questions to ask at the appointment

• Do I need a CBCT scan, graft, sinus lift, or soft-tissue graft before implant placement?
• Which implant system is being used, and can replacement parts be sourced long term?
• How often should this implant be professionally cleaned, and what tools should I use at home?

Dubai patient note

Dubai implant quotes vary because they may or may not include CBCT, surgical guide, grafting, abutment, crown, temporary tooth, sedation, and follow-up. Compare itemised plans rather than headline implant prices.

References

• Malo P. — Malo Clinical Protocol
• Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery — All-on-4 15-year outcomes