All on 6 vs All on 4 Dental Implants
People with severely damaged or missing teeth that are considering dental implants as a restoration option, may have seen All on 4 dental implants and All on 6 come up in their research or discussions with their dentists. While the treatments are similar and can help achieve the same results, there are some differences that could make one procedure a better option than the other.
Overview of the Two Treatments
All on 4 and All on 6 are both ideal treatments to maintain the structural integrity of the jaw in people missing a significant number of teeth. Both options involve a surgical procedure to place dental implants, typically made of titanium, into the jawbone. The procedures are typically performed while the patient is under sedation and generally take between two to three hours to complete.
The dental implants act as support structures, similar to a tooth root, on which fixed or removable dentures are mounted. The implants used in both procedures bond with the jaw to replicate the pressure placed on them by the patient’s natural teeth. The procedures are referred to as “All On” in that the fixed or removable dentures (also known as overdentures) will fasten to either four or six implants. Traditionally, replacing a full set of teeth would necessitate many more implants, could require jawbone grafting, and patients would need about six months to heal before being ready for the dentures or crowns. Because the “All On” methods involve fewer implants, healing time is faster, and patients often receive temporary dentures at the same time as surgery that are worn until the permanent dentures are ready (usually about three months).
Permanent dentures are available in several forms depending on the patient’s lifestyle and preference. The dentures can either be removable, making for easier cleaning, or permanently attached to the implants.
Differences Between the Two Options
As the names suggest, the primary difference between All on 4 and All on 6 is the number of dental implants that are used in the treatments. However, there are other differences, so most dentists choose the procedure they prefer based on their opinion and practices.
Some oral surgeons and dentists recommend the All on 6 procedure because they feel is provides optimal strength and stability while creating a more comfortable and longer lasting smile. Because there is a tremendous amount of force and pressure when people chew or bite, some dentists and oral surgeons believe the location and placement of the two additional dental implants associated with the All on 6 procedure, provides significant added stability, strength, and long term benefit compared to All on 4.
In addition to better support for the bite, the two extra implants used in All on 6 treatments provide increased strength for the jaw. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone and help it stay strong so by using more implants, the All on 6 method provides additional jawbone stimulation and strength that the All on 4 technique lacks. Considering that the recovery time with both procedures is virtually identical, some may find that the strength and stability associated with All on 6 makes it preferable to the All on 4 method.