What Are All-on-6 Dental Implants?
All-on-6 dental implants are a full-arch tooth replacement method that involves placing six dental implant posts into the jawbone to support a fixed full-arch prosthesis.
The implants are positioned at carefully calculated locations and angles to distribute chewing forces evenly across the arch. This helps provide a stable restoration, reduce bone loss, and deliver a chewing experience similar to that of natural teeth.
Structure of All-on-6 Dental Implants
An All-on-6 dental implant restoration consists of the following main components:
- Six biocompatible titanium implant posts: Surgically placed in the upper or lower jawbone to replace missing tooth roots, providing a stable foundation for the replacement teeth and allowing them to withstand chewing forces.
- Abutments: These intermediate components securely connect the implant posts to the prosthetic teeth above, ensuring a close fit and appropriate distribution of chewing forces.
- Fixed full-arch dental bridge (12–14 teeth): This restoration replaces the entire arch of missing teeth, helping patients chew more comfortably, improve speech, and achieve an appearance that closely resembles natural teeth.
Advantages of All-on-6 Dental Implants
All-on-6 dental implants are a popular choice among people who have lost all their teeth in an arch, thanks to their ability to restore chewing function and aesthetics with just six supporting implants.
This method offers several notable advantages:
Minimally Invasive Treatment
With the All-on-6 implant technique, an entire arch of teeth is supported by just six implant posts, rather than requiring multiple implants to be placed individually.
By reducing the number of implants needed, dentists may be able to minimize additional invasive procedures, such as bone grafting or jawbone augmentation.
This can shorten surgical time and reduce the impact on the soft tissues and jawbone, thereby lowering the risk of complications and helping patients recover more comfortably after treatment.
Shorter Treatment Time
Healing after All-on-6 implant placement generally takes around three months. Because bone grafting is often unnecessary, patients may avoid the additional waiting period required for the grafted bone to heal.
In addition, when combined with Melatec modern OTI technology, patients may receive a temporary set of teeth immediately after implant placement. This allows them to chew and carry out daily activities almost as usual while waiting for the final fixed restoration.
After approximately 1–2 months, depending on the individual case, once the implants have integrated securely with the jawbone, the dentist will attach the permanent full-arch restoration to complete the treatment.
Restores Chewing Function Similar to Natural Teeth
All-on-6 dental implants help restore chewing function to a level close to that of natural teeth. According to feedback from patients who have undergone this treatment at Melatec, chewing function can recover to approximately 90–95%.
By comparison, people who have been missing teeth for many years and rely solely on removable dentures typically regain only around 30–40% of their natural chewing ability. They may also experience gum soreness and difficulty eating hard foods.
Excellent Aesthetic Results
All-on-6 dental implants restore an entire arch of teeth with shapes and shades designed to closely resemble natural teeth, creating a natural appearance when smiling and speaking.
In particular, people with significant jawbone loss may develop sunken cheeks and a facial appearance that looks older than their actual age. This method can also support the soft tissues, improve facial contours, and create a more youthful appearance after restoration. Long-Lasting Results
With proper oral hygiene and regular care, All-on-6 dental implants can remain stable for many years and may even last a lifetime.
Who Is Suitable for All-on-6 Dental Implants, and Who Should Avoid Them?
Although All-on-6 dental implants offer significant benefits for replacing missing teeth, this treatment is not suitable for everyone who has lost their teeth. Suitability depends on each individual’s oral health, jawbone condition, and overall medical status.
Indications
People who have lost all or nearly all teeth in an arch. Those who do not wish to wear removable dentures. People with relatively good jawbone density or who are eligible for bone grafting if needed. Those seeking a fixed tooth replacement solution for long-term chewing function.
Contraindications
People with poorly controlled systemic conditions, such as severe cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled diabetes. Those with significant jawbone loss who are not suitable for additional supportive procedures. People who are unable or unwilling to follow post-treatment care instructions.
If All-on-6 implants are not suitable, the dentists at Melatec will conduct a thorough examination, assess the patient’s oral health, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan tailored to their needs. Patients can feel confident that every recommendation is based on their actual condition and long-term treatment goals.
All-on-6 Dental Implant Procedure at Melatec
The entire All-on-6 dental implant procedure at Melatec Dental follows strict standards set by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health to ensure precision, safety, and long-term treatment outcomes for patients.
Step 1: Comprehensive Examination and 3D Cone Beam CT Scan The dentist examines the patient's missing teeth, jawbone, gums, and other relevant health factors.
A Cone Beam CT scan allows the dentist to accurately assess bone density, identify the location of nerves, and plan a safe implant placement procedure.
Step 2: Personalized Treatment Planning Based on the Cone Beam CT scan data, the dentist develops an individualized All-on-6 treatment plan for each patient. This includes determining implant positions, placement angles, implant types, and the most suitable restoration approach using OTI guided screw-retained implant technology, which is designed to avoid gum incisions, minimize pain, and enable immediate restoration.
Step 3: Placement of Six Implants in Predetermined Positions The six implant posts are placed into the jawbone according to the treatment plan, with appropriate force distribution to support the entire dental arch. The procedure is performed in a sterile environment, with measures taken to minimize tissue trauma.
Step 4: Placement of a Temporary Prosthesis (If Eligible) Using Magsense™ magnetic field sensing technology, Melatec dentists can identify the optimal time for immediate restoration, potentially within 24 hours. This allows patients to chew and carry out daily activities as usual while waiting for the implants to integrate with the jawbone.
Step 5: Monitoring Osseointegration and Placing the Fixed Restoration Once the implants have integrated securely with the jawbone, Melatec uses a bar-supported restoration technique. This involves placing a supporting bar that connects all the implant posts and supports the full-arch prosthesis above. The bar helps absorb and distribute chewing forces evenly across the arch, preventing excessive loading on individual implants and helping protect the implants and extend their service life.