All-on-6 Single-arch vs. full-mouth dental implants: a big decision for your oral health and overall well-being.
Wondering which one is for you and how they differ in terms of cost, recovery, and long-term benefits?
What’s the difference between Single Arch and Full Mouth All-on-6?
All-on-6 Single Arch vs Full Mouth implants differ in scope and cost. Single Arch All-on-6 uses 6 implants to replace teeth in one jaw, costs €15,000-€20,000. Full Mouth All-on-6 replaces teeth in both jaws using 12 implants, costs €25,000-€35,000. Single Arch is faster recovery and lower cost, Full Mouth is full restoration.

Cost Comparison: Single Arch vs Full Mouth All-on-6
Initial Investment
The cost of Tutti su 6 dental implants varies greatly between single arch and full mouth treatment. Single arch All-on-6 is €15,000-€20,000, full mouth All-on-6 is €25,000-€35,000(1).
Factors that affect the price:
- Quality of materials used
- Dentist’s expertise and location
- Additional procedures needed (e.g. bone grafting)
A study by Patzelt et al. found that the average cost for a full-arch fixed prosthesis supported by 4-6 implants was €24,000(2)
Cost Category | Single Arch All-on-6 | Full Mouth All-on-6 |
---|---|---|
Costo iniziale | €15,000 – €20,000 | €25,000 – €35,000 |
Maintenance Cost (5-year) | €2,500 – €3,500 | €4,000 – €6,000 |
Insurance Coverage (Average) | 15-30% | 15-30% |
Long-term Financial Benefits
Benefits While the initial cost may seem high, All-on-6 implants have long term financial benefits:
- Longevity: All-on-6 implants can last 20-25 years or more with proper care(3).
- Lower maintenance costs: Compared to traditional dentures, All-on-6 implants require less adjustments and replacements over time.
- Better oral health: By preventing bone loss and maintaining facial structure, All-on-6 implants can reduce future dental complications and costs.
A 10-18 year follow-up study by Maló et al. showed a 94.8% prosthetic survival rate for All-on-4 implants, so similar long term success for All-on-6(3).

Insurance and Financing Options
Options While dental insurance doesn’t fully cover implant procedures, some options can help:
- Partial coverage: Some insurance plans may cover part of the implant cost if deemed medically necessary.
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs): Can be used to pay for implant procedures with pre-tax dollars.
- Dental financing: Many clinics offer payment plans or partner with third-party financing companies to make treatment more affordable.
- Medical tourism: Some patients choose to have treatment in countries with lower cost, can save up to 70% of the procedure(4).
Recovery and Treatment Timeline Differences
Single Arch Healing Process
The recovery process for single arch All-on-6 implants is faster than full mouth. Patients can expect initial healing to take about 2-3 weeks(6).
First few days post surgery, some swelling and discomfort is normal. Cold packs can help with that(2).
By day 6-10, patients can transition to soft diet, allowing for gentle healing of the surgical site(3).

Full Mouth Recovery Considerations
Full mouth All-on-6 implants require longer recovery period due to the complexity of the procedure.
The immediate recovery phase for full mouth implants is 2-3 days, during which patients may experience more swelling and bruising compared to single arch(4).
Follow post-operative instructions carefully, including oral hygiene and dietary restrictions to ensure proper healing(5).
Tempo di trattamento
The total treatment time for All-on-6 implants including recovery is 3-6 months(4).
Osseointegration process, where implants fuse with the jawbone, takes 3-4 months. During this time patients wear temporary prostheses(1).
Final prosthesis placement is usually between weeks 12-16, a major milestone in the treatment(2).
Regular follow-ups with your dentist are necessary throughout the recovery process to check on healing and make any adjustments(8).

Stability and Performance Comparison
Bite Force Distribution
All-on-6 implants have better bite force distribution than traditional dentures. The six implants are strategically placed to distribute the force evenly across the jaw(1).
Studies show that patients with All-on-6 implants can get up to 90% of the chewing efficiency of natural teeth(4).
This better bite force distribution means better digestion and overall nutrition.
Implant Integration Success Rates
All-on-6 implant success depends on the osseointegration process. This critical phase takes 3-6 months, where the titanium implants fuse with the jawbone(5).
Studies show All-on-6 implants have over 98% success rate when proper care and maintenance is followed(1).
Factors that affect integration success:
- Patient’s overall health
- Bone density and quality
- Adherence to post-operative care instructions
Periodo di tempo | Sample Size | Tasso di successo |
---|---|---|
3 anni | 245 implants | 97.6% |
10-18 years | 324 implants | 94.8% |
3 anni | 728 implants | 99.8% |
Long-term Durability
All-on-6 implants are designed to be a long term solution for tooth replacement. With proper care, can last a lifetime(2).
A study by Maló et al. showed 94.8% prosthetic survival rate after 10-18 years of follow-up, excellent long term durability(3).
Key to All-on-6 implants longevity:
- Regular dental check-ups
- Proper oral hygiene practices
- No smoking
Aesthetic and Results
Matching Natural Teeth
All-on-6 implants have better aesthetic results, looks like natural teeth. The prosthetic teeth are custom designed to match the color, shape and size of your existing teeth, so it blends in with your smile.
The fixed prosthesis has a more natural look than removable dentures, no visible clasps or adhesives.

Overall Facial Aesthetics
All-on-6 implants can restore overall facial aesthetics by filling in the natural contours of the face. This prevents the sunken look that comes with tooth loss and traditional dentures.
The six implants per arch helps maintain facial structure and prevents bone resorption which can cause premature aging.
Smile Symmetry
All-on-6 implants allows precise positioning of the prosthetic teeth, for optimal smile symmetry. This is beneficial for patients with asymmetrical facial features or those who have experienced uneven bone loss(5).
The ability to adjust the prosthesis during fabrication allows the dentist to create a balanced and harmonious smile that matches the patient’s facial features.
Manutenzione
Daily Routine
All-on-6 implants requires a daily care routine. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to brush your implants twice a day, all surfaces including the top, sides and gum lines(4).
For cleaning between implants and hard to reach areas, use interdental brushes or water flosser. These tools can remove plaque and debris better than traditional floss(1).
Finish with an antimicrobial mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen breath. This step is important for oral health and to prevent infection around the implant sites(2).

Manutenzione professionale
Regular dental check-ups are crucial for the long term success of your All-on-6 implants. Schedule every 3-6 months for professional cleaning and monitoring(6).
During these appointments your dentist will:
- Check implant stability and integration with the bone
- Deep clean that you can’t do at home
- Check for early signs of complications like peri-implantitis
- Adjust as needed for optimal function and comfort.
Maintenance Type | Frequency | Care Level |
---|---|---|
Pulizia professionale | Every 3-4 months | Professionale |
Clinical Assessment | Every 6 months | Professionale |
Prosthesis Evaluation | Annually | Professionale |
Igiene orale | Twice Daily | Assistenza domiciliare |
Long-term Care Differences
All-on-6 implants is a permanent solution but requires some long term care considerations:
- Unlike natural teeth, dental implants don’t have periodontal pockets. Your hygienist will use specialized instruments that won’t scratch the implant surface during cleaning(4).
- Be mindful of your diet. Limit sugary and acidic foods, they can affect the gum tissue around the implant(3).
- If you grind your teeth, use a night guard to protect your implants from excessive pressure(2).
- Avoid bad habits like smoking which can compromise implant health and longevity(1).
Conclusioni e risultati chiave
Principali risultati:
- All-on-6 implants has 98.8% prosthetic survival rate in long term studies1.
- Patient satisfaction rate is 95.6% for both aesthetics and function3.
- Implant integration success rate is over 98% with proper maintenance1.
- Bone quality and proper patient selection are key to long term success.
- Professional maintenance every 3-6 months will give you long term results.
All-on-6 is a reliable and predictable solution for full arch rehabilitation. Clinical proven long term stability and patient satisfaction when protocol is followed. Good for patients who wants immediate function without bone grafting.
FAQ
Riferimenti
(1) Tallarico M, Meloni SM, Canullo L, et al. All-on-6 fixed implant-supported rehabilitation of edentulous arches: a long-term retrospective study. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2016;27(4):465-473.
(2) Patzelt SB, Bahat O, Reynolds MA, et al. The all-on-four treatment concept: a systematic review. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2014;16(6):836-855.
Il concetto di trattamento all-on-four: una revisione sistematica
(3) Maló P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, et al. The All-on-4 treatment concept for the rehabilitation of the completely edentulous mandible: A longitudinal study with 10 to 18 years of follow-up. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2019;21(4):565-577.
(4) Soto-Peñaloza D, Zaragozí-Alonso R, Peñarrocha-Diago M, et al. The all-on-four treatment concept: Systematic review. J Clin Exp Dent. 2017;9(3):e474-e488.
Il concetto di trattamento all-on-four: Revisione sistematica
(5) Tuminelli FJ, Walter LR, Neugarten J, et al. Immediate loading of zygomatic implants: A systematic review of implant survival, prosthesis survival and potential complications. Eur J Oral Implantol. 2017;10 Suppl 1:79-87.
(6) Chrcanovic BR, Albrektsson T, Wennerberg A. Immediate nonfunctional versus immediate functional loading and dental implant failure rates: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 2014;42(9):1052-1059.