Dental · Dental Implants · Procedure

All-on-6 Dental Implants: The Procedure, Step by Step

The extra pair sits further back, so chewing force is shared across six points instead of four — measurably less cantilever at the rear of the bridge. This page covers the all-on-6 dental implants appointment itself — what is prepared beforehand, what happens in the chair, and what the first hours afterwards feel like. Plan for 2 surgical visits and 7-10 days, then 3-6 months before the final arch.

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Quick answer

Chair time runs roughly 20-30 minutes per fixture once the flap is open, so a single implant is a short appointment while a full arch typically occupies two to three hours including the temporary. Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic infiltrated around the ridge; you stay awake, feel pressure and drilling vibration but no pain. IV sedation is offered for longer arch cases and for patients with a strong gag reflex. The extra pair sits further back, so chewing force is shared across six points instead of four — measurably less cantilever at the rear of the bridge.

Before your procedure

What's confirmed before you're in the chair.

  • A CBCT scan, not a panoramic X-ray, to measure bone height and width at each planned site
  • A list of blood thinners, bisphosphonates and diabetes medication sent to the surgeon in advance
  • Any active gum infection treated before the surgical date, not on the same visit
  • Confirmation of the implant brand and the abutment system in writing, so future servicing is possible anywhere
  • A written, fixed price covering 2 surgical visits — confirmed before you fly, not on arrival
Step by step

What happens during all-on-6 dental implants.

  • Stop 01

    Records check on arrival

    Your scan or photographs are reviewed in person against the remote plan. The extra pair sits further back, so chewing force is shared across six points instead of four — measurably less cantilever at the rear of the bridge.

  • Stop 02

    Site preparation

    The gum is reflected and the osteotomy is drilled in graduated steps under saline irrigation to keep the bone below 47°C — overheating is the classic cause of early failure.

  • Stop 03

    Fixture placement and torque reading

    Each implant is driven to a recorded insertion torque. That number decides whether a temporary can be loaded immediately or whether the site is left to integrate submerged.

  • Stop 04

    Closure and temporary

    Sutures go in, and a healing abutment or an immediate temporary is fitted depending on the torque reading and where the implant sits in the smile line.

  • Stop 05

    What is specific to this option

    Six implants spread the bite load further, often recommended for higher bone density or bruxism cases.

  • Stop 06

    Debrief and follow-up

    You leave with written aftercare and the follow-up schedule fixed — for this option that means 7-10 days, then 3-6 months before the final arch, with 2 surgical visits in total.

Anaesthesia & duration

Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic infiltrated around the ridge; you stay awake, feel pressure and drilling vibration but no pain. IV sedation is offered for longer arch cases and for patients with a strong gag reflex.

Chair time runs roughly 20-30 minutes per fixture once the flap is open, so a single implant is a short appointment while a full arch typically occupies two to three hours including the temporary.

Who performs it

An oral surgeon or an implantologist places the fixtures; the prosthetic stage — abutment, scan, crown or arch — is usually handled by a prosthodontist working with the same in-house laboratory.

Right after the procedure

Expect gauze pressure for 30-45 minutes, a numb lip for two to four hours and a small amount of oozing on the first evening. You walk out unaided, but you should not fly the same day if a graft or sinus lift was involved.

Learn more

Cost and alternatives for All-on-6 Dental Implants.

Compare vs alternatives → See full cost breakdown →
FAQ

Procedure questions, answered

Is All-on-6 stronger than All-on-4?

Mechanically yes — six points share the load and the bridge has less unsupported overhang. Clinically both succeed at high rates; the difference shows most in grinders.

Do I need grafting for All-on-6?

Sometimes, because the rear implants go where bone is thinnest. Your CBCT decides whether six fixtures fit without augmentation.

What insertion torque did my implant reach?

Ask for the figure in Ncm. Above roughly 35 Ncm supports an immediate temporary; below that, the fixture is normally left to integrate before anything is loaded on it.

Which implant brand is being used?

Get the brand and reference in writing. A globally distributed system can be serviced by any dentist at home; an unbranded fixture often cannot.

Will I need a bone graft or sinus lift?

Only the CBCT answers this. If a graft is likely, ask whether it is quoted separately and how many extra months it adds before the final restoration.

How many visits does all-on-6 dental implants need in total?

2 surgical visits — and 7-10 days, then 3-6 months before the final arch. Any quote that compresses that materially is worth a second read, because laboratory and healing time set the schedule, not the clinic diary.

How does this compare with the closest alternative?

All-on-4 needs less bone and costs less; All-on-6 buys load spread and redundancy if one implant ever fails.

Recognise the signs

Signs it might be time to look into this.

01

You grind your teeth at night

Bruxism is one of the clearest reasons a clinic will steer you to six implants rather than four.

02

An existing implant bridge has failed

Redundancy matters after a failure — six fixtures mean losing one is not losing the arch.

03

You chew hard or fibrous food daily

Diet is a real planning input; rear support changes what you can bite comfortably.

Specific to this option

All-on-6 Dental Implants: The Procedure, Step by Step: at a glance.

The extra pair sits further back, so chewing force is shared across six points instead of four — measurably less cantilever at the rear of the bridge.

Sessions2 surgical visits
Time in Turkey7-10 days, then 3-6 months before the final arch
RecoverySoft food 6-8 weeks; slightly more initial swelling than a 4-implant case
Expected lifespanImplants 15-25 years, with better long-term prognosis in bruxists than 4 implants

Closest alternative

All-on-4 needs less bone and costs less; All-on-6 buys load spread and redundancy if one implant ever fails.

Related options

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See how recovery from all-on-6 dental implants works

Timeline, aftercare and what to watch for, day by day.

View recovery guide
In-depth guide

All-on-6 Dental Implants: the procedure in detail

The extra pair sits further back, so chewing force is shared across six points instead of four — measurably less cantilever at the rear of the bridge. Chair time runs roughly 20-30 minutes per fixture once the flap is open, so a single implant is a short appointment while a full arch typically occupies two to three hours including the temporary.

What all-on-6 dental implants involves on the day

The extra pair sits further back, so chewing force is shared across six points instead of four — measurably less cantilever at the rear of the bridge. Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic infiltrated around the ridge; you stay awake, feel pressure and drilling vibration but no pain. IV sedation is offered for longer arch cases and for patients with a strong gag reflex. Chair time runs roughly 20-30 minutes per fixture once the flap is open, so a single implant is a short appointment while a full arch typically occupies two to three hours including the temporary.

Who does the work

An oral surgeon or an implantologist places the fixtures; the prosthetic stage — abutment, scan, crown or arch — is usually handled by a prosthodontist working with the same in-house laboratory. Expect gauze pressure for 30-45 minutes, a numb lip for two to four hours and a small amount of oozing on the first evening. You walk out unaided, but you should not fly the same day if a graft or sinus lift was involved.

What to confirm before you book

  • A CBCT scan, not a panoramic X-ray, to measure bone height and width at each planned site
  • A list of blood thinners, bisphosphonates and diabetes medication sent to the surgeon in advance
  • Any active gum infection treated before the surgical date, not on the same visit
  • Confirmation of the implant brand and the abutment system in writing, so future servicing is possible anywhere

Schedule

2 surgical visits and 7-10 days, then 3-6 months before the final arch are what the plan is built around. All-on-4 needs less bone and costs less; All-on-6 buys load spread and redundancy if one implant ever fails.

This page is general educational information, not medical advice, and does not replace guidance from your treating clinician. Always follow the specific instructions given by your treating clinic, and contact them directly with any concerns about your individual case.
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