DentalAll-on-4, All-on-6 or All-on-8: which full-arch option fits you?
All-on-4, All-on-6 and All-on-8 all replace a full arch of teeth with a fixed bridge on implants. The right number of implants depends mostly on your bone, your bite and your case — not on a bigger number being automatically better.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026
What "All-on-X" actually describes
If you have lost, or are about to lose, most or all of the teeth in a jaw, one solution is a single fixed bridge screwed onto several implants — a full-arch, non-removable set of teeth. The "X" is simply how many implants support that bridge: four (All-on-4), six (All-on-6), or eight (All-on-8). The concept is the same across all of them; the differences are in support, distribution of load and what your bone allows.
The three options, side by side
| All-on-4 | All-on-6 | All-on-8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implants per arch | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Typical use | Moderate bone; efficient, well-established | More support; heavier bite or larger arch | Maximum support in suitable bone |
| Often needs grafting? | Designed to minimise it, using angled rear implants | Sometimes | More likely to require sufficient bone |
| Redundancy if one implant struggles | Less | More | Most |
| Relative cost | Lower | Middle | Higher |
All-on-4 is deliberately economical with implants: two straight at the front and two angled at the back to make the most of available bone and often avoid grafting. All-on-6 and All-on-8 add implants to spread the load further, which can suit a larger arch, a heavy or grinding bite, or simply better bone that can host more implants. None of these is universally "best" — the fewer-implant option is not a compromise if your case suits it, and the more-implant option is not an upgrade if your bone cannot support it well.
What really decides the number
- Bone volume and quality The amount and density of bone determines how many implants can be placed and where. This is assessed on a CBCT scan.
- Which jaw The upper jaw is softer and often benefits from more implants than the lower jaw for the same arch.
- Bite forces Heavy chewers, grinders and people with a powerful bite may be better served by more implants to share the load.
- Arch size and layout A larger jaw or a longer span of teeth may call for additional support.
- Whether grafting is acceptable Some patients prefer a design that avoids grafting; others accept grafting to allow more implants.
Beyond the number: the parts that matter just as much
The implant count gets the marketing attention, but several other decisions shape the result:
- Immediate vs delayed loading Whether you leave with a fixed temporary bridge the same day depends on primary stability. Full-arch cases are commonly immediately loaded when stability is good.
- The bridge material The final bridge may be acrylic on a metal or titanium bar, or a more durable and lifelike zirconia or ceramic. This affects longevity, aesthetics and cost as much as the implant number.
- Fixed vs removable All-on-X is fixed, but an implant-retained overdenture that clips onto fewer implants is a lower-cost alternative worth knowing about.
- Maintenance A fixed full arch needs specific cleaning and periodic professional review; understand the upkeep before you commit.
Honest expectations
Full-arch implant treatment is life-changing for many people who have struggled with failing teeth or loose dentures, and success rates are high in well-selected cases. But it is major treatment: it usually involves surgery, a healing period, a temporary bridge and then a final one, and lifelong maintenance. A same-day fixed temporary is common, but the definitive bridge is usually fitted months later once the implants have integrated. Be cautious of any offer that fixes the number of implants and the price before anyone has seen a 3D scan of your jaw.
All-on-X in Turkey
Full-arch implant work is one of the most sought-after treatments among people travelling to Turkey, and All-on-4, All-on-6 and All-on-8 are all widely offered. Because so much rides on the assessment, prioritise a clinic that plans from your CBCT, explains why it recommends a particular number, and is transparent about the temporary-versus-final bridge, the materials and the aftercare. See the cost guides for All-on-4 and All-on-6, and the implants hub for the full picture. Confirm every detail in a written, itemised plan after assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between All-on-4, All-on-6 and All-on-8?
They all replace a full arch of teeth with a fixed bridge on implants; the number is simply how many implants support the bridge — four, six or eight. More implants can add support and redundancy, but the right number depends on your bone, bite and anatomy rather than a bigger number being automatically better.
Is All-on-6 better than All-on-4?
Not inherently. All-on-6 spreads the load across more implants, which can suit a heavier bite, a larger arch or softer upper-jaw bone. All-on-4 is efficient and well established and is not a compromise if your case suits it. The correct choice comes from your CBCT scan and bite assessment, not from the number alone.
How many implants do I need for a full arch?
That is a clinical decision based on your bone volume and quality, which jaw is being treated, your bite forces and arch size, all assessed from a 3D CBCT scan. Be wary of any quote that fixes the implant number before anyone has reviewed a scan of your jaw.
Will I leave with fixed teeth the same day?
Often yes for full-arch cases, because the implants are splinted together by one rigid bridge that shares the load. This depends on achieving good primary stability at surgery. The same-day bridge is usually a temporary, with the definitive bridge fitted months later once the implants have integrated.
What is the final bridge made of?
It may be acrylic teeth on a metal or titanium bar, or a more durable and lifelike zirconia or ceramic bridge. The material affects longevity, appearance and cost as much as the number of implants, so ask specifically what your final bridge will be made from.
Is a removable option cheaper than All-on-X?
Often, yes. An implant-retained overdenture that clips onto fewer implants can be a lower-cost alternative to a fixed full-arch bridge. It is removable for cleaning rather than fixed, which some people prefer and others do not. It is worth discussing as an option alongside All-on-X.
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