What the number means
All-on-4 means four implants support a full arch of teeth in one jaw. All-on-6 means six. "All-on-X" is the umbrella term for any number. In every version, the result is the same kind of fixed bridge: a full set of teeth screwed onto implants that you don't remove.
Why four implants can work
The All-on-4 approach tilts the two back implants so they reach denser bone and support teeth further back in the mouth, often avoiding a bone graft. When bone quality is good and the bite isn't unusually heavy, four well-placed implants can support a full arch for many years.
Why more implants can be better
- More support. Chewing forces are shared across more implants, so each one carries less load.
- A backup. If one implant ever fails, five remaining implants can usually keep the bridge in service while it's replaced. With four, losing one is a bigger problem.
- Less overhang. Extra implants toward the back reduce how far the bridge extends past the last implant (the "cantilever"), which reduces stress on the bridge.
- More placement options. More implants give more flexibility to position each one where the bone and the planned teeth line up best. That matters most for natural-looking results without pink prosthetic gum, like the Advani A6™.
Side by side
| All-on-4 | All-on-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Implants per arch | 4 | 6 |
| Load per implant | Higher | Lower |
| If one implant fails | Bridge support is more at risk | Remaining implants usually keep it stable |
| Bone needed | Less; tilted back implants | More, or advanced anchorage |
| Best for | Good bone, average bite | Heavy bite, longer arches, FP1 results |
What if there isn't enough bone for six?
Bone loss changes where implants can go, not necessarily how many. Pterygoid, trans-sinus, palatal-approach, and zygomatic implants can anchor in bone outside the usual areas, so patients told they "don't have enough bone" can often still get a fixed arch. Implants with severe bone loss →
How the number is decided
At Advani Implant Institute, every case starts with a 3D CT scan and is planned in two planning programs, Blue Sky Plan and X-Guide, before surgery. The number of implants comes from your bone, your bite, and the result you want, not from a package name.
Does six cost more?
Not here. Our all-inclusive full-arch fees include 4–6 implants per arch, so the number is chosen for what's best clinically, not for price. Zirconia full-arch treatment starts at $16,875 per arch. See pricing →
Common questions
Is All-on-6 better than All-on-4?
Not automatically. Six implants add support and a backup, which helps with heavy bites, longer arches, and natural-looking FP1 results. Four can work very well when bone and bite are favorable. The right number depends on your scan.
What is All-on-X?
All-on-X is the general term for a fixed full-arch bridge on any number of implants, typically 4 to 6 per arch.
What is the Advani A6™?
The Advani A6™ is Dr. Advani's six-implant protocol for full-mouth implants designed to emerge from your own gums, without a pink prosthetic gum line, when you are a candidate.