How to Care for All-on-6 Dental Implants: Complete Guide

All-on-6 dental implants is a game changer for full arch tooth replacement but longevity depends on proper care. If you’ve invested in this life changing procedure you’re probably wondering

What’s involved in Proper Care for All-on-6 Dental Implants?

Proper care for All-on-6 dental implants means good oral hygiene, regular dental check ups and no bad habits. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush, use water flossers for deep cleaning and visit your dentist every 6 months for professional maintenance. Eat soft food. No smoking and no alcohol.

Daily Cleaning Routine and Tools

Good oral hygiene is key to the longevity of your All-on-6 dental implants.

A daily cleaning routine with the right tools can make a big difference to the health of your implants and surrounding tissues.

Proper Brushing

Brush your All-on-6 implants twice a day with a soft toothbrush.

Hold the brush at 45 degrees to the gum line and use gentle circular motions.

Focus on the area where the implants meet the gum tissue.

Brush for at least 2 minutes.

Consider using an electric toothbrush as studies show they can be more effective in removing plaque around dental implants(1).

Flossing and Water Flossers

Traditional flossing can be tricky with All-on-6 implants so water flossers are a great alternative.

Use a water flosser daily to clean between and around your implants.

Start with low pressure and increase as you get comfortable.

Aim the water flosser at 90 degrees to the gum line for maximum cleaning.

Water flossers can reduce bleeding and inflammation around implants by up to 87%(2).

Recommended Products

Use a non-abrasive, low-abrasive toothpaste for implants.

Avoid whitening toothpastes as they can be too harsh for implant surfaces.

Consider antimicrobial mouth rinses to reduce bacteria around your implants.

Interdental brushes can be used to clean hard to reach areas around your All-on-6 prosthesis.

Chlorhexidine based mouth rinses can reduce plaque accumulation around dental implants(3).

Cleaning Task	Frequency	Tools Required
Brushing	Twice daily	Soft-bristled toothbrush or electric toothbrush
Flossing	Daily	Water flosser
Rinsing	As recommended	Antimicrobial mouth rinse

Post Op Care and Initial Maintenance

The days following your All-on-6 dental implant surgery are critical for healing and long term success.

Here’s what you need to know about post op care and initial maintenance:

Managing Discomfort and Swelling

Swelling and mild discomfort is normal after the procedure. To reduce these:

Apply cold packs to the area for 48-72 hours post op (5).

Take prescribed pain medication or over the counter pain relievers as directed by your dentist (2).

Keep your head elevated when lying down to reduce swelling (4).

Avoid strenuous activities for the first 3-4 days to prevent bleeding or swelling (1).

Dietary Restrictions During Healing

Healing A proper diet is key to your recovery:

Eat a soft food diet for the first week or two after surgery (5).

Yoghurt, smoothies (without straws), applesauce and mashed potatoes are good options (6).

Avoid hot foods and drinks for the first 24 hours.

As you get more comfortable, gradually introduce harder foods around 3-4 weeks post op.

First Week Care Instructions

Don’t brush the surgical sites for the first few days (1).

After 48 hours, rinse your mouth with warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water) (3)

Don’t spit or use straws as the suction can dislodge the surgical sites.

If prescribed, use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce the risk of infection.

Avoid smoking altogether as it can impede healing and increase the risk of implant failure.

Long Term Maintenance

Long Term Maintenance To keep your All-on-6 dental implants in top condition for years to come you need to commit to long term maintenance. Here are some key strategies to follow:

Professional Cleaning Schedule

Professional Cleaning Schedule Regular dental check ups are important for the health of your All-on-6 implants:

Schedule biannual appointments for professional cleaning and implant maintenance(1).

At these visits your dentist will check on implant integration and look for signs of peri-implantitis(5).

Professional cleanings remove tartar that can’t be removed at home.

Foods and Habits to Avoid

All-on-6 implants are strong but some habits can shorten their life:

Don’t chew on hard objects like ice or use your teeth to open packages(3).

Limit sticky foods that can put unnecessary stress on your implants and bridge.

Quit smoking altogether as it can impede healing and increase the risk of implant failure(4).

Reduce alcohol intake as excessive consumption can harm implant health.

Foods to Avoid	Reason	Healthy Alternatives
Hard and crunchy foods (nuts, chips, hard candies)	Can exert excessive pressure on implants, potentially causing them to shift or become dislodged	Soft fruits, cooked vegetables, oatmeal
Sticky and chewy foods (caramel, taffy, gum)	Can get stuck around implants, increasing plaque buildup and risk of complications	Sugar-free yogurt, smoothies, soft cheeses
Acidic foods and beverages (citrus fruits, tomatoes, soda)	Can erode tooth enamel and irritate gums, leading to inflammation and discomfort	Non-acidic fruits, water, herbal tea
Spicy foods	Can irritate sensitive tissues and surgical sites, hindering proper healing	Mild, well-cooked dishes with herbs for flavor
Alcohol and tobacco products	Can delay healing, increase risk of infection, and cause dry mouth	Water, non-alcoholic beverages, nicotine replacement therapy

Signs of Trouble

Being aware of potential problems can help you catch them early:

Watch for persistent pain, swelling or redness around the implant sites(6).

Be aware of implant movement or instability which could mean implant failure(4).

Notice bad breath or an unpleasant taste which could mean infection(2).

If you have difficulty chewing or biting see your dentist ASAP(1).

By following these long term maintenance strategies you can extend the life of your All-on-6 dental implants and have a healthy beautiful smile for years to come.

Deep Cleaning

You need to do more than just daily care to maintain your All-on-6 dental implants. Regular deep cleaning is key to long term success and optimal oral health.

Cleaning Around Implant Sites

Sites Focus on the areas where the implants meet the gum tissue:

Use a soft bristled toothbrush or an implant brush.

Clean in circular motions around each implant site.

Pay extra attention to the back of the prosthesis where plaque tends to accumulate.

Use a rubber-tipped stimulator to massage and clean the gum tissue around the implants.

Tools

Use these tools for a deep clean:

Use interdental brushes to clean between implants and under the prosthesis.

Use a water flosser on low setting to flush out debris from hard to reach areas.

Use non-abrasive, implant specific cleaning aids recommended by your dentist.

Consider ultrasonic cleaning devices for at home use which can remove biofilm(5).

Professional Deep Cleaning Process

Process Regular professional cleanings are important:

Schedule deep cleaning appointments every 3-4 months or as recommended by your dentist(6).

During these visits the prosthesis will be removed for a deep clean.

Professional ultrasonic cleaning will be used to remove tartar and plaque.

The dentist will inspect the implant sites for signs of inflammation or trouble.

Polishing of the prosthesis and implant components will be done to reduce future plaque.

By doing these deep cleaning techniques you will extend the life of your All-on-6 dental implants.

Conclusion & Key-Takeaways

Brush and floss daily.

Visit your dentist every 6 months for professional maintenance.

Follow post surgery instructions carefully including diet restrictions.

Be aware of potential problems and see your dentist ASAP if you have issues.

Use specialized tools and techniques for maintenance.

Avoid bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Taking care of your All-on-6 dental implants is key to their longevity and your oral health. Follow these and you’ll get your beautiful smile for years to come.

FAQ

What is the cheapest country in EU for this procedure?

The cheapest country in the EU for dental implants is Albania, offering high-quality procedures at significantly 70% lower costs compared to other European countries.

How much does the treatment mentioned in this article cost?

The average cost of All-on-6 dental implants in Western European countries and the United States ranges from €20,000 to €30,000 per arch. However, prices can vary significantly depending on the specific location, dentist’s expertise, and materials used.

How long do All-on-6 dental implants typically last?

With proper care and maintenance, All-on-6 dental implants can last 20-25 years or even longer. Regular check-ups and good oral hygiene are key factors in their longevity.

Can I eat normally with All-on-6 dental implants?

Yes, once fully healed, you can eat most foods normally. However, it’s advisable to avoid extremely hard or sticky foods that could potentially damage the prosthesis or put excessive stress on the implants.

References

Tallarico M, Meloni SM, Canullo L, et al. Five-year results of a randomized controlled trial comparing patients rehabilitated with immediately loaded maxillary cross-arch fixed dental prosthesis supported by four or six implants placed using guided surgery. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2016;18(5):965-972.

Article: Five-year results of a randomized controlled trial comparing patients rehabilitated with immediately loaded maxillary cross-arch fixed dental prosthesis supported by four or six implants placed using guided surgery

Misch CE. Contemporary Implant Dentistry. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.

Article: Contemporary Implant Dentistry

Papaspyridakos P, Chen CJ, Singh M, et al. Success criteria in implant dentistry: a systematic review. J Dent Res. 2012;91(3):242-248.

Article: Success criteria in implant dentistry: a systematic review

Buser D, Sennerby L, De Bruyn H. Modern implant dentistry based on osseointegration: 50 years of progress, current trends and open questions. Periodontol 2000. 2017;73(1):7-21.

Article: Modern implant dentistry based on osseointegration: 50 years of progress, current trends and open questions

Chrcanovic BR, Albrektsson T, Wennerberg A. Immediately loaded non-submerged versus delayed loaded submerged dental implants: a meta-analysis. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015;44(4):493-506.

Article: Immediately loaded non-submerged versus delayed loaded submerged dental implants: a meta-analysis

Esposito M, Grusovin MG, Worthington HV. Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri-implantitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;1:CD004970.

Article: Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri-implantitis