All-on-6® is a full-arch dental implant solution that uses six strategically placed implants to support a complete fixed prosthesis. Instead of replacing each tooth individually, the All-on-6 approach restores an entire upper or lower arch with a single, stable bridge anchored to the jaw. For patients who have lost most or all of their teeth, this method offers a durable alternative to removable dentures while preserving function and facial support.
This approach emphasizes stability and predictability. By distributing biting forces across six implants, the prosthesis gains resilience against daily wear and stress, which helps patients eat, speak, and smile with greater confidence. The result is a restoration that behaves much like a natural arch of teeth in both appearance and performance.
At the practice level, All-on-6 is presented as part of an individualized treatment plan. The decision to use six implants is driven by clinical factors such as bone quality, anatomy, and the patient’s restorative goals. The overall aim is a long-term, low-maintenance solution that integrates with each patient’s lifestyle and oral health priorities.
The All-on-6 process begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes digital imaging and a clinical exam. Cone beam CT scans and impressions allow the dental team to map bone volume and nerve locations, ensuring precise implant placement. This planning stage is essential for achieving predictable results and minimizing surprises during surgery.
Surgery typically involves placing six implants in locations selected to maximize support and avoid anatomical structures. In many cases a temporary prosthesis can be attached the same day, allowing patients to leave with a functional set of teeth. Over the following months the implants integrate with the bone — a process called osseointegration — before a definitive prosthesis is crafted and attached.
Throughout treatment, patient comfort and clear communication are priorities. Surgical and restorative steps are coordinated so that each phase — from implant placement to the final restoration — aligns with the patient’s expectations for appearance, function, and recovery time.
One of the most immediate benefits of All-on-6 is the elimination of denture movement and the need for adhesives. A fixed prosthesis attached to implants is stable under chewing forces and does not require removal for cleaning. Patients often describe a marked improvement in comfort, taste perception, and the tactile experience of eating.
Compared with single-tooth implant strategies for a full-arch rehabilitation, All-on-6 can be less invasive overall. Replacing an entire arch with individual implants for every missing tooth is often unnecessary and can require more extensive procedures. The All-on-6 model balances fewer implant sites with robust support for a full-arch restoration.
In addition, using six implants helps distribute mechanical load more evenly across the jaw. This structural advantage supports long-term function and can reduce the likelihood of overload on individual implants, which contributes to the overall durability of the restoration.
Candidacy for All-on-6 is based on a combination of oral health, bone availability, general medical status, and personal goals. Patients with significant tooth loss, unstable denture fit, or advanced wear are often strong candidates, but each case requires careful assessment. Chronic conditions and medications that affect bone healing are reviewed as part of the consultation process.
Bone volume in the jaw is a central consideration. While All-on-6 can sometimes reduce the need for bone grafting compared with other approaches, sufficient bone in key areas is still necessary to support implant placement. When bone is limited, advanced planning and specialized techniques may be used to optimize implant positioning without compromising safety.
The diagnostic phase also explores aesthetic expectations, phonetics, and bite relationships. A clear understanding of the patient’s desired outcome ensures the restorative design supports natural speech and facial proportions while providing reliable chewing function.
After implant surgery patients should expect a recovery period that includes some swelling and mild discomfort; these symptoms are typically managed with medications and straightforward post-operative instructions. Initial healing focuses on soft tissue recovery, while osseointegration continues over several months before the final prosthesis is placed.
Maintaining an All-on-6 restoration requires regular professional checkups and diligent at-home hygiene. Because the prosthesis is fixed, patients clean around implants with tools similar to those used for natural teeth — floss, interdental brushes, and routine brushing. The dental team will provide tailored guidance to protect implant health and the surrounding gum tissue.
Long-term success depends on routine monitoring for signs of wear, tissue changes, or bite shifts. With consistent care and periodic professional maintenance, implant-supported arches can remain a stable and satisfying solution for many years, preserving oral function and quality of life.
In summary, All-on-6® offers a predictable, fixed solution for patients seeking a stable full-arch replacement that restores function and comfort without the drawbacks of removable dentures. This approach combines careful planning, precise implant placement, and a commitment to long-term maintenance to deliver results that closely resemble natural teeth in both form and function. If you would like to learn more about whether All-on-6 is the right option for you, please contact Po Dentistry for additional information and to schedule an evaluation.
All-on-6® is a full-arch dental implant solution that replaces an entire upper or lower row of teeth using six strategically placed implants to support a fixed prosthesis. Instead of restoring each tooth individually, the implant-supported bridge attaches to implants anchored in the jawbone, restoring chewing function and facial support. The system is designed to mimic the appearance and performance of a natural arch while providing greater stability than removable options.
The implants are placed at positions that distribute biting forces across the arch to enhance durability and reduce overload on any single implant. Over time the implants integrate with the bone through osseointegration, creating a long-term foundation for the final restoration. Treatment is planned and customized to the patient’s anatomy and restorative goals to achieve predictable, functional results.
An implant-supported All-on-6® prosthesis is fixed to the implants and does not rely on adhesives or suction to stay in place, which generally provides a more stable chewing surface than removable dentures. Fixed prostheses reduce the movement and irritation commonly reported with traditional dentures and allow patients to eat and speak with greater confidence. Because the prosthesis is supported by implants, it also helps preserve jawbone volume by transmitting functional forces to the bone.
Removable dentures can be simpler to fabricate and adjust but often require frequent relining and do not provide the same level of bite force or tactile feedback as a fixed implant bridge. An All-on-6® approach concentrates support at six implant sites, which can reduce the need for replacing every missing tooth with an individual implant while still delivering robust support. The choice between solutions depends on clinical factors, patient preferences, and long-term oral health goals.
Candidacy for All-on-6® is determined by a combination of oral health, bone availability, general medical history, and individual goals. Patients who have lost most or all teeth in an arch, who experience unstable denture fit, or who have teeth with poor prognosis are commonly evaluated for this approach. The dental team reviews systemic health conditions and medications that can affect bone healing as part of a comprehensive assessment.
Age alone is not a disqualifying factor; more important considerations are bone quality in strategic implant sites and the patient’s ability to maintain oral hygiene. When bone is limited in certain areas, alternative implant positions, grafting procedures, or adjunctive techniques may be recommended to optimize outcomes. A personalized consultation identifies whether All-on-6® is the most appropriate and predictable option for each patient.
The planning phase begins with a detailed clinical exam and digital imaging, often including cone beam CT scans to map bone volume and important anatomical structures. Impressions or digital scans capture tooth-arch relationships, while careful assessment of bite, phonetics, and esthetic goals informs the restorative design. This information is used to develop a surgical and prosthetic plan that balances implant positioning with final tooth placement.
Digital planning tools and surgical guides help translate the restorative plan into precise implant placement, improving predictability and reducing intraoperative uncertainty. The doctor and restorative team discuss provisional options, timeline, and any adjunctive procedures that may be needed, such as extractions or grafting. Clear communication at this stage sets expectations for function, appearance, and the phases of treatment.
On the day of surgery patients receive local anesthesia and, if desired or indicated, conscious sedation or other comfort measures to ensure a calm experience. The surgeon places six implants according to the preoperative plan, taking care to avoid anatomical structures and achieve primary stability where possible. The procedure length varies with complexity and any concurrent procedures such as extractions or minor grafting.
Sutures are used as needed to support soft tissue healing, and the surgical team provides specific post-operative instructions to manage swelling, discomfort, and oral hygiene. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor healing and manage provisional restorations, and the integration of the implants with the bone is assessed over the ensuing months. Clear postoperative communication helps patients understand activity restrictions and symptom expectations.
In many cases a fixed provisional prosthesis can be attached the same day as implant placement if sufficient implant stability is achieved during surgery. This immediate provisional restores esthetics and basic function while protecting healing tissues and guiding soft tissue contours. The provisional is intended as a temporary solution until osseointegration is complete and the final prosthesis can be fabricated.
Patients should expect that provisional restorations may require adjustments during healing to refine bite and comfort, and certain dietary restrictions are usually recommended to protect implants during early loading. Once the implants have integrated and the team confirms stable healing, impressions for the definitive prosthesis are taken and the final bridge is delivered. The temporary-to-final transition is planned to optimize long-term fit and function.
Sufficient bone volume and density in strategic areas of the jaw are important for achieving implant stability and long-term success with All-on-6®. Because the technique uses six implants, it can sometimes take advantage of denser bone zones and reduce the need for extensive grafting compared with placing individual implants for every missing tooth. Advanced imaging helps the team determine whether native bone is adequate for planned implant positions.
When bone is deficient in critical areas, targeted grafting procedures, sinus lifts, or the use of angled or longer implants may be recommended to create a reliable foundation. While grafting can extend the overall treatment timeline, it often improves the predictability and longevity of the final restoration. The treatment plan outlines whether grafting is necessary and explains how it affects sequencing and healing expectations.
As with all surgical procedures, All-on-6® carries potential risks that include infection, bleeding, implant failure, nerve irritation, and prosthetic complications such as fracture or wear. Thorough planning, sterile technique, and careful surgical execution reduce the likelihood of many complications. If an implant fails to integrate, the clinician evaluates the cause and may remove or replace the implant after addressing contributing factors.
Long-term complications can include peri-implant mucositis or peri-implantitis, which are inflammatory conditions that require early detection and intervention. Regular professional monitoring and patient adherence to hygiene recommendations are key to identifying tissue changes early and managing them with non-surgical or surgical therapies as indicated. Open communication with the dental team helps ensure prompt attention to any concerns that arise.
Daily oral hygiene is essential to the long-term health of implant-supported restorations and includes thorough brushing and cleaning around implant abutments with tools such as interdental brushes and floss. Patients may also be advised to use an antimicrobial rinse or a water flosser to maintain a healthy gum environment around the prosthesis. Professional maintenance visits at recommended intervals allow the team to remove plaque and tartar, evaluate tissue health, and make adjustments to the prosthesis if needed.
The prosthetic teeth themselves may experience wear over many years and can be repaired or replaced as part of ongoing care without disturbing well-integrated implants. Management of parafunctional habits such as bruxism, through occlusal adjustments or night guards, can protect the restoration and supporting implants. Consistent follow-up and a tailored home-care routine are the best defenses against complications and help extend the functional life of the restoration.
To arrange a consultation at Po Dentistry call (717) 279-5286 and ask to schedule an evaluation for All-on-6®. During the appointment the team performs a clinical exam, reviews imaging or obtains new scans as needed, and discusses your medical history and restorative goals. The visit is an opportunity to review treatment options, timelines, and any preparatory procedures that may be required.
Please bring a list of current medications and recent dental records or X-rays if you have them, as this information helps streamline the diagnostic process. The consultation produces a customized treatment plan and a clear sequence of next steps so you understand what to expect from evaluation through delivery of the final restoration. The office is located at 1661 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601 for in-person visits and follow-up care.
Our goal is to help every patient experience the benefits of good oral health and a beautiful smile. We value the trust you have placed in our office and strive to provide solutions that meet your dental needs and expectations of care.
