All-on-6 in Turkey: what it is
All-on-6 replaces all the teeth in one jaw with a fixed bridge screwed on to six dental implants. It works like All-on-4 — the bridge stays in, and only a dentist can remove it — but two extra implants carry the bite, usually placed further back in the jaw. The idea is to spread the chewing forces over more implants and to keep a reserve: if one of six implants fails, the bridge can often still be held by the other five.
All-on-6 in Turkey is chosen by patients who have lost or are losing all their teeth in a jaw and have enough bone for six implants, or who want a long zirconia bridge with more support. For the general guide to full-arch implants — temporary teeth, acrylic or zirconia, cleaning under the bridge — see the All-on-4 page; for dental treatment abroad in general (packages, Turkey teeth, how to check a clinic) see dental treatment in Turkey. This page covers what is different with six implants.
All-on-6 vs All-on-4: the differences
The question patients ask most is All-on-6 vs All-on-4: is two more implants worth the extra cost and surgery? The answer depends on your bone and bite more than on a general rule.
| All-on-4 | All-on-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Implants per arch | 4 (back two tilted) | 6 (often all upright, or two tilted) |
| Bone needed | Less — uses bone at the front of the jaw | More — needs bone further back as well |
| Bone grafting / sinus lift | Often avoided | More often needed, especially in the upper jaw |
| If one implant fails | Bridge usually has to be reworked or remade | Bridge can often stay on the other five |
| Bridge length | Usually up to 10–12 teeth with short back extensions | Usually 12 teeth with less cantilever |
| Surgery and price | Shorter, lower | Longer, higher |
Research does not show a clear winner. A systematic review on the number of implants for fixed full-arch bridges (Heydecke and colleagues, 2012) found similar implant and bridge survival with four and with six or more implants. Many dentists still prefer six in the upper jaw, where the bone is softer, and in heavy grinders; four is often enough in the lower jaw. Ask your dentist to explain the choice with your CT scan.
Who needs six implants instead of four?
A dentist is more likely to recommend All-on-6 when:
- the plan is for the upper jaw, where the bone is softer and the forces are spread over more implants;
- you grind or clench, or have a strong bite;
- a long, rigid full-arch zirconia bridge is planned;
- there is enough bone at the back of the jaw, or you are willing to have a sinus lift or bone graft;
- you want a reserve in case an implant is lost.
When the bone at the back is thin and you want to avoid grafting, All-on-4 is often the simpler option. When both are possible, the price difference, the extra surgery and the reserve are what you weigh up. Some plans go further, with eight implants per arch, mainly in the upper jaw.
How much does All-on-6 cost in Turkey?
The All-on-6 cost in Turkey is usually about €1,000–€2,500 more per arch than All-on-4 at the same clinic, because of two more implants and abutments and longer surgery. Approximately €5,000–€8,500 per arch with an acrylic final bridge and about €7,500–€12,000 with zirconia — approximate, confirmed in a written quote after your CT scan. Bone grafting or a sinus lift is extra.
| Country | All-on-6, one arch (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | about €5,000–€8,500 (acrylic) · €7,500–€12,000 (zirconia) |
| United Kingdom | about £12,000–£20,000 |
| United States | about $20,000–$30,000 |
| Germany | about €12,000–€22,000 |
A complete quote lists the implant brand, the six abutments, extractions, sedation, the temporary bridge, the final bridge material and both trips. For a hospital list price per jaw for the four-implant option, see All-on-4; what dental packages usually include is on the dental hub page.
What changes the All-on-6 price
- Implant brand. Large Swiss, Swedish, German and US systems cost more than Korean or Turkish ones. Six implants multiply the difference, so ask for the brand in writing and an implant card for each implant.
- Abutments. Each implant needs an abutment — multi-unit abutments when the bridge is screwed on. Some quotes leave these out.
- Extractions and preparation. Removing remaining teeth, treating infection and any bone regeneration or sinus lift are often priced separately.
- Bridge material. An acrylic hybrid bridge costs less than milled zirconia; a titanium base under zirconia adds cost but helps the bridge resist fractures.
- Both arches. Treating the upper and lower jaw together is usually cheaper per arch than two separate plans, but the surgery day is longer.
- Trips and nights. Two trips with hotel and transfers, and possibly a third if grafting is needed first.
Upper jaw and lower jaw: why the number differs
The upper and lower jaws behave differently. The upper jaw has softer, more porous bone and the sinus sits just above the back teeth, so long implants at the back are often impossible without a sinus lift. Because each implant holds less firmly in soft bone, many dentists prefer six — sometimes eight — implants for a fixed upper bridge. The lower jaw has denser bone, and four implants placed between the two nerve exits often give enough support for a fixed bridge.
It is therefore common to see mixed plans, for example All-on-6 in the upper jaw and All-on-4 in the lower jaw. The bridge in one jaw also has to suit what is in the other: a zirconia bridge opposite natural teeth, or opposite another zirconia bridge, needs careful adjustment of the bite to avoid chipping and overload. Ask for the plan for both jaws together, even if you treat only one now.
Treatment steps and how long you stay
All-on-6 dental implants in Turkey normally need two trips. On the first (about 5–7 days) you have a CT scan and examination, remaining teeth are removed, the six implants are placed under local anaesthesia, usually with sedation, and a fixed temporary bridge is fitted after a few days if the implants are stable enough. After three to six months of healing, the second trip (about 5–7 days) is for the final impressions, a try-in and the final bridge.
If a sinus lift or bone graft is needed first, plan a third trip or a longer healing time before the implants. The temporary bridge, what you can eat during healing and how the final bridge differs are explained on the All-on-4 page and apply the same way to six implants.
Final bridge: zirconia All-on-6 or hybrid
With six implants the final bridge can be an acrylic “hybrid” bridge on a metal bar (hybrid All-on-6) or a milled zirconia bridge. Zirconia All-on-6 is common, because the extra implants support a long, rigid bridge well and zirconia does not stain or wear like acrylic. Acrylic costs less, is lighter and is easier to repair. The choice depends on your bite, whether you grind, what you have in the opposite jaw and your budget.
Risks of All-on-6
The risks are the same kinds as with any dental implants: an implant may not fuse with the bone, usually in the first months; peri-implantitis — inflammation of the gum and bone around implants — can develop over the years (a meta-analysis by Derks and Tomasi, 2015, estimated it affects about one in five patients with implants); and the bridge can chip, wear or loosen. With six implants the surgery is longer, and grafting or a sinus lift adds its own risks such as sinus infection. Nerve injury in the lower jaw, with numbness of the lip or chin, is uncommon but possible. Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes raise the risk of failure. If you take bisphosphonates or similar bone medication, or have had radiotherapy to the jaw, discuss implants with your doctor before any plan is made.
Cleaning under the bridge every day, a night guard if you grind, and a professional clean with the bridge removed once or twice a year protect the implants. Keep the implant cards and records from Turkey so a dentist at home can maintain the bridge.
Is All-on-6 worth the extra cost?
For some patients, yes: in a soft upper jaw, for heavy grinders, or for a long zirconia bridge, two more implants add support and a reserve. For others, especially in a firm lower jaw, four well-placed implants work as well, and the money may be better spent on a stronger final bridge. Alternatively, if a fixed bridge is out of budget, an implant-retained denture on two to four implants is a removable option. For single or a few missing teeth, see dental implants.
Before you book, ask the clinic why six implants are planned, which brand, whether grafting is needed, what the bridge is made of, the total cost for both trips, and what the guarantee covers if an implant fails after you return.
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
Approximately €5,000–€8,500 per arch with an acrylic final bridge and €7,500–€12,000 with zirconia, confirmed in a written quote after a CT scan. That is usually €1,000–€2,500 more than All-on-4 at the same clinic.
Neither is better for everyone. Studies show similar survival; six implants spread the bite and leave a reserve if one fails, while four need less bone and often avoid grafting. Six are preferred more often in the upper jaw and for grinders.
More often than for All-on-4, because the extra implants sit further back where bone is often thinner. Your CT scan shows whether a sinus lift or graft is needed.
Usually two trips of 5–7 days, three to six months apart. A bone graft or sinus lift first can add a third trip or a longer healing time.
Zirconia is hard, does not stain and usually lasts longer than acrylic, and six implants support a long zirconia bridge well. It costs more and is harder to repair; acrylic suits some bites and budgets better.
Often the bridge can stay in use on the remaining five while a new implant is planned, which is one of the main reasons for choosing six. With four implants, losing one usually means reworking the bridge.
It is done under local anaesthesia, often with sedation. Expect swelling and soreness for about a week, controlled with painkillers; the surgery takes longer than All-on-4.
The implants can last for decades with daily cleaning and regular check-ups. Acrylic bridges usually need renewing after some years; zirconia lasts longer.
Yes, mixed plans are common, because the upper jaw has softer bone and often benefits from more implants. The bridges in both jaws should be planned together so the bite fits.
Usually four to six for a fixed bridge, sometimes eight in the upper jaw; two to four for a removable implant denture. The number depends on your bone, bite and the type of bridge.