All-on-4 vs All-on-6 Dental Implants in Melbourne: Which Full-Arch Solution May Suit You?
You are looking at full-arch implant options and two names keep appearing: All-on-4 and All-on-6. They look similar. The final appearance can look similar. But there are real clinical differences between them, and the suitable choice depends on your jaw anatomy, bone density, and bite load.
At My Implant Dentist in Melbourne, both solutions are placed regularly. This guide gives you a clear comparison, without pushing one option over the other.
What Both Options Share
All-on-4 and All-on-6 are both fixed full-arch bridges supported by implants and designed for long-term function. They are not removed daily by the patient. Both replace a complete upper or lower arch of teeth. Both are sometimes referred to as Teeth in a Day, where clinically suitable, because some patients receive a temporary fixed bridge on the day of surgery.
The difference lies in how many implants support the arch and how they are positioned in the jaw.
How All-on-4 Works
All-on-4 uses four implants per arch. Two are placed vertically at the front. Two are placed at an angle, typically between 30 and 45 degrees, toward the rear of the arch. This angled rear placement helps the implants reach denser bone further back in the jaw and work around areas where bone volume is limited due to resorption.
The angle is a planned surgical approach. It may allow suitable patients with moderate bone loss to receive a fixed full arch without needing months of bone grafting and healing first. For Melbourne patients who have worn dentures for years or had missing teeth for an extended period, All-on-4 may support treatment with fewer preparatory stages in suitable cases.
How All-on-6 Works
All-on-6 uses six implants per arch. The implants are typically placed more vertically than in All-on-4, with wider distribution across the arch. The extra two implants increase the total contact between the bridge and the jaw, spreading the biting load across a broader base.
All-on-6 is generally considered when bone density and volume are strong enough to accommodate six implants without crowding or anatomical conflict. It is also considered in cases involving heavy bite forces, patients with bruxism (teeth grinding), or upper arches where additional support assists with long-term bridge stability.
Side by Side: The Key Differences
Number of implants:
- All-on-4: 4 per arch
- All-on-6: 6 per arch
- Implant placement: All-on-4: 2 vertical at front, 2 angled at rear
Bone requirements:
- All-on-4: Suited to some patients with moderate bone loss; may reduce the need for grafting by working with existing bone
- All-on-6: Requires good bone volume and density across a wider area of the arch
Load distribution:
- All-on-4: Four anchor points; used across many full-arch rehabilitation cases
- All-on-6: Six anchor points; wider load distribution under heavy biting force
Cost in Melbourne:
- All-on-4: From $19,000 per arch at My Implant Dentist
- All-on-6: Higher cost due to additional implants and materials; confirmed at consultation based on your specific case
Which Patients Suit All-on-4
If you have had missing teeth for years, worn full dentures, or experienced significant bone shrinkage, All-on-4 may be considered for your situation. The angled rear implants reach bone that is denser and better preserved, supporting fixed rehabilitation without lengthy pre-treatment bone building in suitable cases.
Many patients at My Implant Dentist who present with dentures or significant tooth loss are assessed for All-on-4 suitability.
Which Patients Suit All-on-6
Patients with good jaw bone density who want increased implant contact under the bridge, or who have a particularly strong bite, or who have been advised that their arch geometry suits vertical implant placement across six sites, may be suitable for All-on-6. It is also considered in some upper arch cases where the wider implant distribution assists with stability.
What the Evidence Shows on Success Rates
Clinical studies report positive survival rates for full-arch implant treatment in suitable patients. Results depend on planning, implant placement, patient health, oral hygiene, bite forces and ongoing maintenance. The number of implants used is one variable in a longer list that includes implant system quality, surgical precision, patient health, oral hygiene, and aftercare.
At My Implant Dentist, Dr. Kent Tan provides implant dentistry using Straumann Group implant systems and 3D-guided surgical planning where clinically appropriate. Treatment outcomes depend on case selection, clinician experience, implant quality, surgical planning, patient health, and ongoing maintenance.
How the Decision Gets Made
A clinician should not recommend All-on-4 or All-on-6 without 3D imaging. A CBCT scan shows the detailed bone dimensions available at every implant site. Your treating dentist at My Implant Dentist reviews the imaging and gives you a recommendation grounded in your jawbone structure, not a standard protocol applied to every patient.
That 3D scan is provided at your initial consultation, where clinically appropriate.
Book Your Complimentary Full-Arch Assessment at My Implant Dentist Melbourne
Includes a 3D CBCT scan and personalised treatment plan for eligible new implant patients, where clinically appropriate. Terms, clinical suitability and appointment availability apply. Call 1300 694 675 or book online.
Dental implant suitability, costs, risks, healing time and outcomes differ between patients. Your dentist will assess your oral health, jawbone, medical history and treatment goals before recommending treatment.
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