All-on-6 vs All-on-4 Dental Implants
Missing teeth can make you uncomfortable not only with your appearance but also the function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to fix tooth loss and restore your smile. Dental implants are one option that has the ability to replace not only a single missing tooth but an entire arch of teeth! An all-on-four dental implant is a fixed prosthesis that is used to restore an entire arch of teeth on one or both arches.
All-on-Six vs All-on-Four Dental Implants
The procedure for an all-on-four and an all-on-six dental implant is the same except for the number of implants placed, which is the main difference between the two. As indicated in their names, an all-on-four uses four implants and an all-on-six uses six implants. The number of implants used for your individual case will depend on your jaw bone structure and the preference of your doctor.
Some providers recommend an all-on-six because it is stronger and provides additional support and stability at the back of the arch where you chew food. The additional posterior implants help stabilize the molar area better than an all-on-four.
Additionally, an all-on-six allows for more support maintaining bone structure. Our tooth roots help stimulate bone regeneration and when a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate. Dental implants are essentially an artificial tooth root and work just the same to help stimulate bone structure. This deterioration is why patients that wear traditional dentures experience changes in their facial structure and the way their denture fits.
Dental Implant Procedure
Your dentist will work in conjunction with an oral surgeon or periodontist to complete your treatment. The first step is with your implant doctor. They will begin by making small incisions in the gum tissue where each implant is going to be placed. A small hole is then drilled in each spot and the implants are screwed directly into the jaw bone.
A healing cap is placed over each implant to protect it from food particles and bacteria while they heal. During the healing time, you will wear a temporary denture which will help you adjust to your new smile and bite while your implants integrate with your bone. Once the implants are fully integrated, your dentist will take over treatment. Your dentist will remove each healing cap and place your permanent implant denture, securing it in place with a screw into each implant.
Both an all-on-four and an all-on-six is an effective, natural-looking option for patients who have lost most of their teeth on one or both arches. Both treatments require the surgical placement of dental implants to support the denture and take between two and three hours per arch. Six months of healing time is also necessary for each procedure.
Either offers a dental prosthesis that is either a removable denture (called an overdenture) that you can snap in and out, or a fixed denture which cannot be removed except by your dentist. Discuss all of your options with your dentist and together, you will choose the best treatment for you.
