All-on-4 vs All-on-6: Which Do You Need?
By Adam Smith, Head of Patient Research
Updated 3 February 2026 · Dental tourism researcher · Clinic vetting specialist · 40+ clinics assessed on-site
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ertan Etemoglu, Lead Dentist & Co-Founder
Tower Dental Clinic, Istanbul · 26 years in practice · 8,000+ patients/year · Turkish & American Dental Association member · Featured on Reuters
Tap a question — Pearl answers
Or ask me — I can…
All-on-4 and All-on-6 are both full-arch implant solutions, but they differ in cost, durability, and suitability. Here's how to decide which one you need.
Your dentist mentioned All-on-4. The clinic in Turkey is suggesting All-on-6. You're not sure what the difference is, which one you need, or whether the more expensive option is actually better for your situation.
The answer depends on your bone density, how many teeth you're missing, and what your jaw can support. Here's the honest comparison.
All-on-4 vs All-on-6 Dental Implants: A Complete Comparison
Four implants versus six implants. Both give you a full set of fixed teeth, but the engineering is different.
All-on-4 uses four dental implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth, while All-on-6 uses six implants for the same job. All-on-6 spreads bite force across more anchor points and works best when you have good bone density. All-on-4 was designed for people with less bone — it uses angled back implants to grab onto whatever bone you have left.
Your bone density matters most. But budget, jaw size, and whether you grind your teeth all play a role.
What Each Procedure Involves
All-on-4
Two straight implants go in the front. Two angled implants (usually 30-45 degrees) go in the back.
The angled placement is the clever bit. It reaches denser bone toward the front of your jaw, dodging the need for bone grafting in most cases. A full arch of 10-12 teeth attaches to these four implants, either the same day or after healing.
All-on-6
Six implants spread across your jaw: two front, two middle, two back. More anchor points mean more stability and stronger bite force.
The force from chewing gets distributed across six points instead of four. Less stress on each implant. Same full arch attached, but with better support underneath.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | All-on-4 | All-on-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of implants per arch | 4 | 6 |
| Bone density required | Lower (angled implants compensate) | Higher (vertical placement standard) |
| Bone grafting typically needed | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Procedure time | 2-3 hours per arch | 3-4 hours per arch |
| Bite force distribution | Concentrated on 4 points | Spread across 6 points |
| Long-term durability | Excellent (15-25 years) | Excellent (20-30 years) |
| Suitability for full arch | Yes | Yes |
| Immediate loading possible | Yes (same-day teeth) | Yes (same-day teeth) |
| Recovery time | 3-6 months full integration | 3-6 months full integration |
| Implant failure impact | Loss of 1 implant is more critical | Greater redundancy if 1 implant fails |
Cost Comparison
The price difference reflects the extra implants and longer surgery time.
Per-Arch Pricing
| Treatment | UK Private Price | Turkey Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-on-4 (standard implants) | £12,000 - £15,000 | £4,000 - £5,500 | 60-67% |
| All-on-4 (premium implants) | £15,000 - £20,000 | £5,500 - £7,500 | 60-65% |
| All-on-6 (standard implants) | £15,000 - £18,000 | £5,000 - £7,000 | 60-67% |
| All-on-6 (premium implants) | £18,000 - £25,000 | £7,000 - £10,000 | 60-65% |
Full Mouth (Both Arches)
| Treatment | UK Private Price | Turkey Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-on-4 both arches (standard) | £22,000 - £28,000 | £7,500 - £10,000 | 64-66% |
| All-on-6 both arches (standard) | £28,000 - £34,000 | £9,500 - £13,000 | 62-66% |
These prices include implants, prosthetic arch, consultation, imaging, and standard aftercare. Bone grafting costs extra if you need it.
When All-on-4 Works Better
You have bone loss. All-on-4 was invented for this exact problem. If traditional implants won't work because you don't have enough bone, All-on-4 might still be possible without grafting.
You want to skip bone grafting. Bone grafts add 3-6 months and significant cost. All-on-4's angled technique usually avoids this.
Budget matters. Two fewer implants = lower cost. For both arches, the savings add up.
Speed matters. Fewer implants mean shorter surgery and easier same-day teeth placement.
When All-on-6 Works Better
Your bone density is good. If bone loss isn't your main problem, six implants give better force distribution without needing the angled approach.
You grind your teeth. Bruxism puts serious stress on implants. Six anchor points handle this better than four.
You want maximum durability. If one implant fails (rare but possible), you still have five supporting the prosthetic while a replacement gets placed.
You have a larger jaw. Bigger jaw structures benefit from wider implant distribution across the full arch span.
You eat challenging foods. Steaks, nuts, crusty bread — the extra bite force capacity of All-on-6 handles demanding diets better.
Recovery Comparison
| Recovery Stage | All-on-4 | All-on-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate post-surgery swelling | Moderate (2-3 days) | Moderate to significant (3-5 days) |
| Soft food diet | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 weeks |
| Return to normal activities | 3-5 days | 5-7 days |
| Temporary prosthetic worn | 3-6 months | 3-6 months |
| Final prosthetic fitted | 4-6 months post-surgery | 4-6 months post-surgery |
| Full osseointegration | 3-6 months | 3-6 months |
All-on-6 involves more surgical work, so expect slightly more swelling initially. By two weeks, comfort levels are similar for both procedures.
Getting Your Assessment
Your bone density, jaw structure, and bite habits determine which option suits you. An online dental assessment narrows this down before you travel.
A MyDentalFly assessment covers:
- Which teeth need extraction or are already missing
- History of bone loss or gum disease
- Eating habits and lifestyle factors
- Previous dental work and complications
Clinics use this information for preliminary recommendations and accurate quotes for both options. The final decision usually requires a 3D CBCT scan at the clinic, but the assessment gets you 90% of the way there.
Which One Do You Need?
The candidacy checker tells you in 60 seconds whether bone loss, smoking, or medical conditions affect your suitability for implants. The dental assessment then maps your teeth and recommends whether All-on-4 or All-on-6 is the right call for your specific jaw.
The implant brand comparison shows success rates across 13 brands — because the brand matters as much as the technique. We've verified every clinic on our platform and your dental tourism consultant coordinates everything.
Guide: Dental Implants Abroad Guide
Compare: Implants: Turkey vs UK
Related: Best Country for Dental Implants (2026)
Related: Dental Implant Costs Compared (2026)
Real results from verified clinics
Drag the slider to compare before & after
Suave Clinic
Verified clinicFull smile restoration · Istanbul
MDental Clinic
Verified clinicFull smile makeover · E-max veneers · Budapest
MDental Clinic
Verified clinicCrowns & restoration · Budapest
Before → AfterTower Dental Clinic
Verified clinicHollywood smile · E-max veneers · Istanbul
References & Sources
All clinical claims, pricing data, and statistics in this article are based on peer-reviewed research, official regulatory sources, and publicly verifiable data. We invite you to verify anything before making a treatment decision.
- 1.BBC News, "Turkey teeth: The dental tourism risks patients don't see." February 2023.
- 2.BBC, "Turkey Teeth: Bargain Smiles or Big Mistake?" — documentary investigating dental tourism risks, 2022.
- 3.Euronews, "Medical tourism: Dental expert explains why Turkey teeth can be a costly mistake." October 2024.
- 4.General Dental Council (UK), "Going abroad for dental treatment" — patient guidance.
- 5.British Dental Association (BDA), "Dental tourism: Patients need to know the risks."
- 6.T.C. Saglik Bakanligi (Turkish Ministry of Health), Health Tourism Authorisation Regulations.
- 7.Kontakiotis, E.G. et al. (2015), "A prospective study of the incidence of asymptomatic pulp necrosis following crown preparation," Int. Endod. J., 48(6), 512-517.
- 8.Pjetursson, B.E. et al. (2012), "A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses after at least 5 years," Clin. Oral Implants Res., 23(S6), 22-38.
- 9.Sailer, I. et al. (2015), "All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses: a systematic review," Dent. Mater., 31(6), 603-624.
- 10.Türkiye Today, "1.5 million health tourists visited Türkiye in 2024, generating $3 billion in revenue." 2025.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not replace a clinical examination. Treatment outcomes vary between patients. Always consult a qualified dental professional.
About MyDentalFly
MyDentalFly is a UK-based platform that builds your treatment plan and matches you with vetted specialist clinics abroad — and a dentist at the clinic reviews and confirms every plan before you pay anything.
Our interactive assessment evaluates your dental needs and builds a bespoke package: every treatment explained, a matched clinic with reasons why, your named dentist, flight estimates, transport, and accommodation — all in one place. We maintain a small, vetted network across Turkey, Hungary and Poland, visit clinics in person, help arrange CBCT scans before you fly, and stay with you through the entire journey. Compare. Save. Smile.
Tap a question — Pearl answers
Prefer a person? WhatsApp us · 020 4634 2312 · or
Clinically reviewed before booking
Every dental package built on MyDentalFly is reviewed by a qualified dentist before it gets accepted. Our clinical reviewers include specialists like Dr. Hubert Trępatowski — 800+ All-on-4 procedures, trained under Professor Paulo Malo (pioneer of the All-on-4 technique), graduate of Jagiellonian University Medical Faculty, Krakow.
About the author
Adam Smith
Head of Patient Research, MyDentalFly
Adam leads patient research at MyDentalFly, personally vetting clinics across Turkey, Hungary, and Poland. He has reviewed over 200 clinic proposals, analysed patient outcomes, and helped coordinate treatment plans for patients across the UK, USA, and Europe.
Clinically reviewed by
Dr. Ertan Etemoglu
Lead Dentist & Co-Founder, Tower Dental Clinic
26 years in practice · 8,000+ patients/year · Turkish & American Dental Association member · Featured on Reuters
Content last reviewed: 14 July 2026
