Home/Dental Implants/All-on-Four & All-on-Six Dental Implants
All-on-Four and All-on-Six are innovative dental implant systems designed to replace full arches of teeth. These techniques typically involve using four to six implants as the foundation for a set of artificial teeth, though additional implants may be indicated to ensure a successful outcome. Patients who prove to be excellent candidates for All-on-Four or All-on-Six implant-supported teeth can replace some or all of their teeth through this advanced procedure, obtaining immediate function after surgery. By replacing an entire arch with an implant-supported prosthesis, patients can enjoy enhanced function from their teeth replacement. In addition to achieving a beautiful new smile, they can expect a restored facial structure as well as the ability to eat their favorite foods again, which can be difficult with traditional dentures.
Our experienced implant dentist, Dr. John D. Beckwith, is proficient in dental implantology and regularly performs the implant-supported teeth procedure for his patients—with four implants or more as the foundation. He has undergone additional training to achieve the highest level of implant expertise possible and continues to seek opportunities to stay at the forefront of the latest technologies. As testament to his skill, Dr. Beckwith is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Implantology.
All-on-Four and All-on-Six dental implants utilize a unique treatment concept to replace all teeth within an arch. The techniques can be used to replace the upper arch, lower arch, or the entire set of teeth for a full mouth restoration. In the All-on-Four approach, four implants are used in each arch being treated. Two of the cubic zirconia posts are placed towards the front of the mouth, while the final two are placed farther back in a tilted position for optimal jawbone contact. The All-on-Six approach works in a similar way, but utilizes six implants instead of four to stabilize the artificial teeth.
Dr. Beckwith performs the All-on-Four and All-on-Six techniques only for patients with minimal risk and an extremely high chance at long-term success. Depending on the details of an individual case, he often prefers utilizing five or more implants to support the prosthesis, due to there being a significant increase in the procedure being successful.
Once Dr. Beckwith determines a patient to be a good candidate for the All-on-Four or All-on-Six procedure, they can expect a wide range of benefits. Due to the protocol used when placing implants through the All-on-Four or All-on-Six systems, patients may be able to avoid bone grafting surgery, when they traditionally may have required it to be eligible for dental implants. Avoiding this extra step is a popular benefit of All-on-Four and All-on-Six, and it is made possible since the implants are often positioned at the ideal angles to utilize available jawbone.
With this in mind, Dr. Beckwith encourages people to do their research and be cautious about moving forward with the All-on-Four or All-on-Six procedures. While there are many benefits to the techniques, patients should seek a highly experienced dentist who priorities their long-term well-being when recommending treatment.
Although All-on-Four and All-on-Six are exciting implant techniques and can be effective for many patients, the approaches are not appropriate for everyone needing a full arch teeth replacement. Dr. Beckwith very carefully evaluates patients to determine if they are ideal candidates for All-on-Four or All-on-Six, or if an alternative treatment is the safer option. For those without adequate jawbone density to support implants, he may recommend a removable implant-supported denture, which offers added stability without the need for good quality bone tissue.
In many cases, he may prefer using more than four or six dental implants, since using a limited number can put the patient at risk for the entire restoration failing and needing to be replaced. Should a patient inquire about All-on-Four or All-on-Six, or prove to be a good candidate, Dr. Beckwith will go over the potential risks in detail to ensure they have a clear understanding of how the procedure may affect them in the future.
To plan for your All-on-Four or All-on-Six implant-supported teeth, Dr. Beckwith will develop a detailed map of the mouth using the ScanX Digital Panoramic X-Ray System. CBCT technology (or a CAT scan) will then be performed to diagnose and plan for the guided implant surgery. This creates an extremely precise procedure with predictable results. By utilizing these state-of-the-art dental technologies, Dr. Beckwith is able to customize the All-on-Four and All-on-Six procedures to the finest details. The exact number of implants and personalized approach of the procedure will be thoroughly discussed with each patient prior to their procedure, allowing them to make an informed decision.
To perform the procedure, Dr. Beckwith will place the designated number of implants into the jawbone. In the All-on-Four approach, two of the implants are placed towards the front of the mouth, while the remaining two implants are placed near the back of the mouth at an angle. Most individuals will benefit from additional implants to achieve a stronger foundation. After the dental implants have been surgically placed, Dr. Beckwith will then attach the custom-made prosthesis for a secure fit. Over the course of about three to six months, the implants will gradually osseointegrate (or fuse) to the jawbone, creating a permanent base for the restoration.
The amount a patient can expect to pay for their All-on-Four or All-on-Six procedure will depend on a number of factors. This can include how many implants are ultimately used, which arches of teeth will be replaced, and if preliminary work is needed (e.g., tooth extraction). After performing a thorough evaluation of the patient’s mouth, our staff can provide an estimate of how much the patient can expect to pay. To help make the total cost fit more comfortably within a person’s budget, our practice works with dental financing companies to divide costs into more affordable monthly payments. In addition, Cornerstone Dental offers in-house insurance plans that provide yearly benefits and can assist with some of the fees involved with the procedure.
To receive a cost quote for the All-on-Four or All-on-Six procedure, or to learn if you are a good candidate for one of the innovative treatment options, please contact our practice to schedule your consultation. While All-on-Four and All-on-Six can be life-changing for many patients, Dr. Beckwith will only recommend the solution if it is the best approach for treating an individual case.