All-on-4 is a full-arch dental implant treatment that replaces all the teeth in a jaw with a fixed bridge supported on just four implants; All-on-6 works on the same principle using six. It suits people who are missing most or all of their teeth, or whose remaining teeth are failing, and who want a secure alternative to removable dentures. Because the rear implants are angled to use the strongest available bone, many patients avoid bone grafting, and a temporary fixed bridge is usually in place within days of surgery.
Is this treatment right for you?
Suitable for: adults missing most or all of the teeth in a jaw — or with failing teeth — who want a fixed, non-removable alternative to dentures and have adequate bone and healthy gums.
Less ideal if: you have untreated gum disease, poorly controlled diabetes or very limited jawbone, you smoke heavily and cannot pause, or enough natural teeth are healthy that saving them may be the wiser option.
Suitability can only be confirmed by a qualified clinician after assessing you, which is why every plan begins with a free, personalised review rather than a fixed promise.
Benefits & risks
A balanced view matters more than a sales pitch. Weigh both sides and discuss them with a clinician before deciding.
Potential benefits
- Replaces a full arch of missing or failing teeth with a fixed bridge that does not come out
- Angled rear implants make the most of the available bone, often avoiding separate bone grafting
- A temporary fixed bridge is usually fitted within days, so most people are not left without teeth
- Typically restores chewing and speech more securely than a removable denture
- Implants help preserve the jawbone, which tends to shrink where teeth are missing
- A full arch is restored with fewer implants than replacing each tooth individually
Risks & considerations
- Infection around the implants (peri-implantitis), which can threaten them if left untreated
- One or more implants failing to bond with the bone, needing removal and possible replacement
- Nerve injury causing numbness or tingling in the lip or chin, occasionally long-lasting
- Sinus complications where upper-jaw implants sit close to the sinus cavity
- Chipping, wear or fracture of the bridge over time, which may need repair or remaking
- Swelling, bruising and bleeding after surgery, plus anaesthetic or sedation risks
Am I a candidate?
- You are missing most or all of the teeth in one or both jaws, or your remaining teeth are failing
- You struggle with loose dentures or want a fixed alternative to removable teeth
- Your gums and general health are good enough for oral surgery, or any gum disease can be treated first
- You do not smoke, or are willing to stop around the time of treatment, as smoking raises the risk of implant failure
- You can commit to careful daily cleaning around the bridge and regular dental reviews
Only a qualified clinician can confirm suitability after a personal assessment.
Process & recovery
All-on-4 treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, often with sedation, and takes a few hours per arch; any failing teeth are removed and four implants placed in the same visit, with the back pair angled to make the most of the available bone. A temporary fixed bridge is normally fitted within a few days, then the implants bond with the bone over roughly three to six months before the final bridge is made and fitted on a second trip. Swelling, bruising and soreness are expected in the first week, and risks include infection, implant failure, nerve injury and sinus problems in the upper jaw.
What is All-on-4?
All-on-4 is a technique for replacing a complete arch of teeth — upper, lower or both — with a fixed bridge anchored on four dental implants. Rather than placing an implant for every missing tooth, the treating dentist positions two implants vertically at the front of the jaw and two at an angle further back. Angling the rear implants lets them anchor in denser bone while avoiding structures such as the sinuses in the upper jaw and the main nerve in the lower jaw, which is why many patients with a degree of bone loss can be treated without separate bone grafting.
All-on-6 follows exactly the same principle with six implants supporting the bridge. It is sometimes recommended for the upper jaw, where bone tends to be softer, or where the bite and available bone make it sensible to spread chewing forces across more implants.
In both cases the result is a set of teeth that is fixed to the implants and does not come out — for people who have worn removable dentures for years, that stable feel is usually the main attraction. Where several natural teeth are still healthy, alternatives such as single implants or crowns and bridges may be more appropriate, and this is assessed honestly before any plan is made.
How All-on-4 treatment works
Assessment and planning
Treatment begins with a detailed assessment, including a 3D CT scan of your jaws, so the treating dentist can measure bone volume, plan implant positions and confirm whether four or six implants is the more suitable option for you.
Surgery and the temporary bridge
On the day of surgery — usually under local anaesthetic, often with sedation — any failing teeth are removed and the implants are placed in the same visit. A temporary fixed bridge is normally attached within a few days, so most people are not left without teeth while they heal.
Healing and the final bridge
Over roughly three to six months the implants fuse with the bone, a process called osseointegration. Once healing is confirmed, the final bridge — commonly acrylic on a supporting frame, or a ceramic material such as zirconia — is crafted and fitted, usually on a second trip.
| Approach | What it involves | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| All-on-4 | Four implants per arch, with the back pair angled into stronger bone | Most full-arch cases, including where some bone loss has occurred |
| All-on-6 | Six implants per arch, spreading the load more widely | Upper jaws with softer bone, or heavier bite forces |
Recovery: what to expect
Healing varies from person to person, but after All-on-4 surgery the general arc looks like this:
| Stage | What is typical |
|---|---|
| First 48 hours | Swelling, bruising and minor oozing, eased by rest, cold compresses and prescribed pain relief; soft, cool foods only |
| First 1–2 weeks | Soft-food diet continues; stitches dissolve or are removed; many people return to work within a few days to a week |
| 1–3 months | The implants integrate with the bone beneath the temporary bridge; the diet firms up gradually as advised |
| Longer term | The final bridge is fitted once healing is confirmed; normal eating resumes, with regular hygiene visits to protect the implants |
Warning signs such as increasing pain, spreading swelling, fever, persistent numbness or a loose-feeling bridge should be reported promptly, wherever you are in your recovery.
Results and longevity
A completed All-on-4 or All-on-6 bridge restores a full smile and secure chewing, and for many denture wearers the day-to-day confidence — eating in company, speaking freely — is the change they notice most. Because the implants stimulate the jaw in a way dentures cannot, they also help slow the bone shrinkage that follows tooth loss.
Honest expectations matter. Implants can stay healthy for many years, often decades, but no dental restoration lasts indefinitely without care: the bridge experiences everyday wear and may need maintenance, repair or eventual replacement, and the gums and implants must be cleaned thoroughly — with special floss or a water flosser — to prevent peri-implantitis. Smoking and neglected hygiene are the biggest threats to a long-lasting result, and regular reviews with a dentist at home remain essential.
Having All-on-4 in Türkiye
As a medical travel facilitator, we coordinate All-on-4 and All-on-6 treatment at accredited, Ministry of Health–authorised partner hospitals and dental centres in Türkiye. Before you commit to anything, your dental photographs, any X-rays and your medical history are reviewed so the treating dentist can advise whether full-arch implants are genuinely appropriate — and whether four or six implants suit your bone — before you receive a free, no-obligation personalised treatment plan.
Packages are all-inclusive and transparent, typically covering the treatment itself, hotel accommodation, airport and clinic transfers, and an English-speaking patient coordinator who supports you at every appointment. The two trips are planned around your diary, and between them your healing is followed remotely with photo updates and direct access to the dental team — see your patient journey for how the visits fit together.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for personalised dental advice; suitability can only be confirmed after an individual assessment.
Before & after
Frequently asked questions
All-on-4 or All-on-6? +
Both replace a full arch of teeth with a fixed bridge; All-on-4 uses four implants with the back pair angled into stronger bone, while All-on-6 spreads the load across six implants. All-on-6 is sometimes preferred in the upper jaw, where bone is naturally softer, or where bone volume and bite forces make extra support sensible. The treating dentist advises which is more appropriate after reviewing your scans and assessing your bone.
Will I leave with teeth? +
In most cases, yes — a temporary fixed bridge is usually attached within a few days of All-on-4 implant placement, so you can smile, speak and eat soft foods while the implants heal. The final, stronger bridge is then made and fitted once healing is complete, typically on a second visit a few months later.
How long does it take? +
All-on-4 treatment typically involves two trips to Türkiye a few months apart. On the first, any failing teeth are removed, the implants are placed and a temporary bridge is fitted; the implants then bond with the bone over roughly three to six months before the final bridge is fitted on the second trip. Your free personalised plan confirms the exact timings for your case.
How long do All-on-4 implants last? +
With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, the implants supporting an All-on-4 bridge can remain healthy for many years — often decades — although this varies from person to person. The bridge itself is subject to everyday wear and may need maintenance, repair or replacement over time. Smoking, gum inflammation and poor cleaning around the bridge are the main threats to longevity.
Is All-on-4 painful? +
All-on-4 surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic, often with sedation, so you should not feel pain during the procedure itself. Afterwards, swelling, bruising and soreness are common for the first few days and are usually manageable with standard pain relief. Discomfort varies from person to person and typically settles within a week or two.
How long do I need to stay in Türkiye for All-on-4? +
The first All-on-4 trip typically lasts around five to seven days, covering scans, implant placement and the fitting of your temporary bridge, with a second stay of similar or slightly shorter length a few months later for the final bridge. The exact schedule depends on your treatment plan, and your free personalised plan confirms the timing for your case.
When can I fly home after All-on-4? +
Most people can fly home within a few days of All-on-4 implant placement, once the treating dentist has checked early healing and fitted the temporary bridge. Some swelling and mild discomfort during the journey are normal at this stage. Your personalised plan sets out the recommended departure date for your case.
Can I eat normally after All-on-4? +
A soft-food diet is usually advised for the first weeks after All-on-4 surgery to protect the implants while they bond with the bone, moving gradually on to firmer foods as the treating dentist advises. Once the final bridge is fitted, most people return to a broad, normal diet, although very hard or sticky foods are still worth approaching with care.
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