All-on-6 Dental Implants

Six implants per arch, when six is the right answer.

All-on-6 dental implants for $15,000 per arch — the same all-inclusive price as All-on-4, because the protocol you receive should be a clinical decision, not a price-tier upsell. Performed by a board-certified oral surgeon in Bonney Lake, Washington.

Board-Certified OMS 95%+ Survival Rate Zirconia Included Same Price as All-on-4
Complimentary Consultation →
Founder Pricing Available
All-Inclusive Per Arch
$15,000
Same price · 6 implants or 4
No premium for additional implants

Surgery, IV sedation, same-day provisional, prototype try-in, final zirconia — all included regardless of whether the protocol is All-on-4 or All-on-6.

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Section 01 · The Protocol

What All-on-6 actually is.

A full-arch fixed prosthesis supported by six dental implants instead of four — typically chosen when bone density, bite mechanics, or anatomical factors make six implants the right clinical answer.

Six titanium implants distributed across the arch. One fixed zirconia prosthesis. Two additional anchor points for biomechanical redundancy and force distribution.

  • iTwo anterior implants placed in the front of the jaw, where bone density is naturally preserved.
  • iiTwo intermediate implants distributed across the bicuspid (premolar) region.
  • iiiTwo posterior implants, often more upright than the angled posteriors used in All-on-4 — the additional implants reduce the need for steep angulation.
  • ivOne fixed prosthesis distributing chewing forces across all six implants, reducing per-implant load.
  • vBuilt-in redundancy. If one implant fails to integrate, the remaining five typically continue supporting the restoration.
Section 02 · When Six Is the Right Answer

The clinical reasoning.

All-on-6 isn't a premium tier of full-arch implants. It's a different protocol matched to specific clinical situations. Here are the factors that guide protocol selection at consultation.

When All-on-6 Is Often Indicated

  • Adequate jawbone density across the arch — particularly in the posterior regions where additional implants can be placed
  • Strong bite forces or a history of severe bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching)
  • Larger jaw structures, particularly in the maxilla (upper jaw) where bone is generally less dense than the mandible
  • Long span from anterior to posterior, where additional support reduces prosthesis flex
  • Patients prioritizing biomechanical redundancy who have bone to support six implants
  • Specific cases where avoiding the angled posterior placement of All-on-4 is clinically beneficial

When clinical factors favor six implants and the patient has adequate bone, All-on-6 is the right protocol.

When All-on-4 Is Usually Preferred

  • Reduced bone volume in the posterior regions — where additional implants would require grafting that the All-on-4 angled approach avoids
  • Anatomical considerations (sinus position, nerve location) that make four implants safer and more predictable
  • Patients with longer-running tooth loss and the bone resorption that comes with it
  • Cases where the longitudinal outcome data of the more-studied All-on-4 protocol provides additional clinical confidence
  • The majority of edentulous or near-edentulous adult patients

All-on-4 has more long-term outcome data and is the appropriate choice for most full-arch patients. The protocol was specifically designed to use existing bone density without requiring grafting in the posterior regions.

The honest framing matters here. Six implants are not categorically better than four. The published clinical literature shows comparable long-term implant survival between the two protocols when both are properly planned and executed. What changes is which protocol is biomechanically appropriate for which patient.

At Elite Oral Surgery, the protocol recommendation comes from 3D Cone Beam CT imaging, evaluation of bite mechanics, and review of patient-specific factors at consultation. The recommendation is in writing, with the clinical reasoning explained, before any surgical date is scheduled. Patients who want a different protocol than what is recommended are heard out — but the clinical recommendation is based on what your specific case requires, not on what generates more revenue.

The pricing structure reinforces this. All-on-4 and All-on-6 are priced identically at $15,000 per arch all-inclusive at Elite. There is no financial incentive for the practice to recommend one over the other. The recommendation reflects clinical fit. Period.

Section 03 · Head to Head

All-on-4 vs All-on-6, side by side.

No marketing, no winner. The honest comparison between two clinically validated protocols, each appropriate for different patient situations.

All-on-4
The most-studied full-arch protocol.
Implants per Arch
4 — two anterior vertical, two angled posterior
Bone Grafting
Usually not required — angled posteriors capture available bone
Surgery Length
~2.5 hours per arch
10-Year Implant Survival
94.8% (Maló 2011, n=980)
Long-Term Data
Largest dataset — 10 to 18 years of follow-up
Best For
Most patients · reduced posterior bone · standard bite mechanics
Cost at Elite
$15,000 per arch all-inclusive
All-on-4 is the appropriate protocol for the majority of full-arch patients. It has the longest published outcome data of any modern full-arch implant approach.
All-on-6
When six implants are clinically indicated.
Implants per Arch
6 — distributed across the arch, often more upright placement
Bone Grafting
Sometimes required — depending on posterior bone availability
Surgery Length
~3 hours per arch
10-Year Implant Survival
95%+ in healthy patients (multiple studies, smaller datasets)
Long-Term Data
Smaller dataset · less longitudinal data than All-on-4
Best For
Strong bite forces · bruxism · larger jaw · adequate posterior bone
Cost at Elite
$15,000 per arch all-inclusive — same as All-on-4
All-on-6 offers redundancy and can distribute load more evenly when bone allows. The clinical literature shows comparable survival to All-on-4 in well-planned cases.

The published clinical comparison is unambiguous on one key point: when both protocols are properly planned and executed in healthy patients, long-term implant survival rates are comparable — both above 95% in most studies. The choice between them is not "more is better" but rather "which is right for this patient."

Some patients ask whether the additional cost of All-on-6 is "worth it." At many practices, this is a meaningful decision because the protocols are priced differently — $20,000-$25,000 for All-on-4 versus $30,000-$50,000 for All-on-6 is common in the corporate and chain models. At Elite, both protocols are $15,000. The cost question is removed from the decision, leaving only the clinical question: which is right for your specific anatomy and bite mechanics?

Section 04 · The Workflow

Three appointments. Same as All-on-4.

The All-on-6 workflow follows the same three-visit clinical sequence as All-on-4. Slightly longer surgical time on day one. Same restorative timeline. Same final zirconia at week 10-12.

Visit 01 · Day of Surgery

Implant placement, same-day provisional.

Six implants placed under in-house IV sedation. Surgical time approximately 3 hours per arch. Printed PMMA provisional bridge seated the same day, allowing immediate function on a soft food diet. Home that afternoon with someone to drive you.

Visit 02 · Week 8

Prototype try-in.

Printed prototype of the final prosthesis evaluated for bite, esthetics, and phonetics. Refinements made based on how you've lived with the provisional. Final design approved with your input before zirconia is fabricated.

Visit 03 · Week 10–12

Final zirconia delivered.

Permanent zirconia bridge with titanium framework seated. Designed for decades of service. Hygiene instruction specific to six-implant prostheses. Follow-up scheduling at 3, 6, and 12 months — all included.

The clinical depth on the workflow — what to expect, recovery timeline, dietary restrictions, post-operative behaviors — is covered comprehensively on the Full-Arch pillar page. The All-on-6 procedure follows the same recovery and integration sequence as All-on-4, with surgical time being the principal difference on day one.

Section 05 · The Evidence

What the research shows on All-on-6.

All-on-6 has been studied extensively, though the published literature on six-implant full-arch protocols has fewer long-term datasets than All-on-4 — primarily because the All-on-4 concept was published first and has more years of accumulated follow-up.

95%+
Implant Survival
at 5+ Years³
98%+
Prosthesis Survival
at 5+ Years³
5/6
Redundancy if
One Implant Fails
Equiv.
vs All-on-4 in
Comparative Studies

The most relevant comparative literature for All-on-6 versus All-on-4 includes randomized clinical trials and multi-center reviews evaluating the two protocols head-to-head. The overall finding across this literature is that both protocols achieve high implant survival rates in healthy patients with adequate bone, and that no major difference in long-term implant survival has been demonstrated when both are properly planned and executed.

One short-term randomized study of edentulous maxilla cases showed somewhat higher survival in the All-on-6 group versus All-on-4 over 12 months, but the sample size was small (10 patients total) and the follow-up window was short — meaningful long-term conclusions cannot be drawn from such a study alone. Larger reviews and longer-term datasets continue to support comparable outcomes.

Where All-on-6 demonstrates a clinical advantage is in mechanical redundancy and force distribution. If one implant fails to integrate or develops late-stage problems, the prosthesis continues to be supported by five remaining implants — versus three with All-on-4. For patients with strong bite forces or bruxism, the additional implants reduce per-implant load, which biomechanical research suggests can lower the risk of mechanical complications over time.

Where All-on-4 demonstrates an advantage is in the depth of available longitudinal data. The Maló Clinic studies of All-on-4 mandibular cases now extend to 18 years of follow-up — the longest published full-arch implant outcome data available. All-on-6 outcome studies typically extend to 5-10 years. For patients who place high value on the longest available track record, this matters.

The honest synthesis: both protocols work. The right one for you is the one matched to your specific clinical situation.

References: ¹ Maló P, et al. JADA, 2011 (All-on-4, n=980). ² Maló P, et al. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res, 2019 (All-on-4, 10-18 year follow-up). ³ Multiple comparative reviews and clinical studies of All-on-6 protocols, including randomized trials of All-on-4 vs All-on-6 in maxillary cases. Survival rates above 95% are consistently reported in healthy patients across these datasets.

Section 06 · The Market

How Elite's All-on-6 compares.

Pricing data drawn from competitor public marketing, third-party industry reports, and patient-reported outcomes. Updated April 2026.

Provider
All-on-6 Price
vs All-on-4 Price
Zirconia
Surgeon
Independent OMS (WA)
$30K – $55K
× $5K-$10K premium
Often upcharge
Board-Certified OMS
ClearChoice
$25K – $40K
× Premium tier
× Premium upcharge
Surgeon partner
Nuvia
$25K – $50K
× Higher tier
Included
Mixed (varies)
Smile Now / Affordable
$13K – $20K
Modest premium
Sometimes
× General dentist (often)

Comparison reflects published price ranges and operating models as of April 2026. Most providers price All-on-6 higher than All-on-4 by $5,000-$15,000 per arch, treating six implants as a premium tier. Elite does not — protocol selection is a clinical decision and the all-inclusive price reflects that. Pricing for ClearChoice based on published $14K-$36K range and third-party patient-reported data; Nuvia based on third-party industry reports.

The Cost

The same $15,000 — whether four implants or six.

Elite Oral Surgery prices All-on-4 and All-on-6 identically at $15,000 per arch, all-inclusive. The protocol you receive is determined by your clinical situation, not by what generates more revenue for the practice.

Bone grafting and zygomatic implants are priced separately when clinically required, with the determination made at consultation in writing — never in the chair on surgery day.

See Full Pricing Breakdown →
All-Inclusive Per Arch
$15,000
All-on-4 or All-on-6 · Same price

Five financing partners. HSA/FSA eligible. Founder Pricing for the first 40 surgical patients.

Financing Options →
Section 07 · Common Questions

Questions worth asking.

Is All-on-6 better than All-on-4?

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Neither is categorically better. They are different protocols matched to different clinical situations. The published comparative literature shows comparable long-term implant survival rates between the two when both are properly planned and executed in healthy patients — typically 95%+ in well-selected cases.

All-on-4 has the deepest published longitudinal data — over 18 years of follow-up in the Maló Clinic studies. All-on-6 has somewhat less long-term data but offers biomechanical redundancy (a five-of-six failure leaves the prosthesis still supported) and may distribute forces more evenly across the arch.

The right protocol depends on your specific bone density, bite mechanics, and anatomy. That recommendation is made at consultation, not as a default.

Why does Elite charge the same for All-on-6 as All-on-4?

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Two reasons. First, the protocol you receive should be a clinical decision made on what's right for your case — not a financial decision driven by what costs less. Pricing the protocols differently creates an incentive for the practice to recommend one over the other for revenue reasons. Pricing them the same removes that incentive entirely. The recommendation reflects clinical fit.

Second, the all-inclusive structure absorbs the cost difference operationally. Two additional implants add some material cost and surgical time, but our practice is built around predictable full-arch workflows that absorb this without requiring separate pricing tiers. The patient gets the right protocol; the practice gets a clean operating model.

Should I ask for All-on-6 specifically?

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You can ask, and we'll discuss the clinical reasoning either way at consultation. The recommendation we make will be based on your 3D imaging, bite analysis, and case-specific factors — not on what you ask for.

Patients who specifically want All-on-6 are heard out, and we explain whether their case actually warrants it. If your anatomy is better suited to All-on-4, we'll explain why — and then the choice is yours. We don't charge more for All-on-6, so there's no financial reason to push you in either direction. The recommendation reflects what we believe will produce the best outcome for your specific situation.

Will I need bone grafting for All-on-6?

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Sometimes. All-on-6 generally requires more bone availability across the arch than All-on-4 — particularly in the posterior regions, where the additional implants are placed. Patients with reduced posterior bone may need grafting to support six implants, while the All-on-4 angled posterior placement avoids the need for posterior augmentation.

This is one of the factors that informs protocol selection. If grafting would be required to enable All-on-6 but All-on-4 can be performed without it, the All-on-4 approach is often the right choice — both for clinical predictability and to avoid the additional surgical complexity, healing time, and cost of grafting procedures.

How does All-on-6 compare to ClearChoice's six-implant option?

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Two key differences. Pricing structure: ClearChoice typically prices six-implant cases at the higher end of their $14,000-$36,000 range, often $25,000-$40,000 per arch with their zirconia upcharge. Elite prices All-on-6 at $15,000 per arch, same as All-on-4, with zirconia included.

Surgeon model: ClearChoice partners with surgeons at each location. The surgeon you meet at consultation may not be the surgeon who performs your procedure, and follow-ups may be handled by different providers. At Elite, Dr. Volland personally performs every case and sees every patient at every visit.

The comparison applies to other corporate chains as well — most price six-implant protocols significantly above four-implant protocols.

Does All-on-6 last longer than All-on-4?

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The available evidence does not support a meaningful longevity difference between the two protocols when both are properly planned and executed in healthy patients. Long-term implant survival rates for both protocols sit above 95% in the comparative literature, with All-on-4 showing 93-95% survival in the longest-running studies (10-18 years).

What can affect long-term outcomes more than the implant count is patient-specific factors: oral hygiene compliance, smoking, controlled vs uncontrolled diabetes, bite forces, and adherence to six-month professional maintenance. These behaviors and conditions affect implant longevity far more than whether four or six implants were placed initially.

Is All-on-6 more painful or harder to recover from?

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The recovery is comparable to All-on-4 with marginal differences. Surgical time is approximately 30 minutes longer for six implants versus four. Post-operative swelling, bruising, and discomfort are similar. The same soft food restriction during the 6-8 week osseointegration period applies to both protocols.

The only meaningful difference patients tend to notice is slightly more soreness on day one due to the additional surgical sites. By day 3-5 post-op, the difference is no longer perceptible.

Can I switch from All-on-4 to All-on-6 later if needed?

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If your initial All-on-4 case develops complications — implant failure, mechanical issues, late bone loss — additional implants can be placed to convert the support to a six-implant configuration. This is a real surgical option that we evaluate case-by-case when patients with previous All-on-4 work present with issues.

That said, this is a salvage scenario, not a planned upgrade path. If All-on-6 is the clinically appropriate protocol for your initial case, we recommend it from the start rather than starting with All-on-4 and converting later.

Do most patients at Elite get All-on-4 or All-on-6?

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The protocol distribution varies by patient population, but consistent with the published clinical literature, the majority of full-arch patients are appropriate candidates for All-on-4. The All-on-4 protocol was specifically designed to use existing bone density without requiring grafting, which makes it the appropriate choice for most patients with significant tooth loss and the bone resorption that comes with it.

Patients with adequate bone, strong bite forces, severe bruxism, or specific anatomical considerations may benefit from All-on-6. The recommendation is made on a case-by-case basis at consultation.

Will my insurance cover All-on-6 differently than All-on-4?

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Dental insurance typically provides limited coverage for both All-on-4 and All-on-6 — usually a small portion attributed to extractions or the prosthesis component. Coverage caps for implant procedures in most plans range from $1,000-$3,000 lifetime, which doesn't substantially offset the cost of either protocol.

For practical purposes, most patients use HSA/FSA funds (eligible for both), financing through one of our five partners (Cherry, Proceed, Sunbit, LendingClub, CareCredit), or a combination of both. The financing options work the same regardless of whether the protocol is All-on-4 or All-on-6.

Begin

Your complimentary All-on-6 consultation.

3D Cone Beam imaging. A written treatment plan with the protocol recommendation and clinical reasoning explained. A direct conversation with Dr. Volland about whether All-on-6 is the right approach for your specific case.

Schedule Your Consultation

Selected References

1 Maló P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, Moss SM, Molina GJ. A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4 implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. Journal of the American Dental Association, 2011; 142(3):310-320.
2 Maló P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, Ferro A, Gravito I. The All-on-4 treatment concept for the rehabilitation of the completely edentulous mandible: A longitudinal study with 10 to 18 years of follow-up. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, 2019; 21(4):565-577.
3 Comparative reviews and clinical studies of All-on-4 vs All-on-6 protocols, including randomized controlled trials in maxillary cases, demonstrate comparable long-term implant survival rates of 95%+ in healthy patients with proper case selection. See: Pjetursson BE, et al. Clinical Oral Implants Research; multiple comparative reviews of immediate-loading full-arch protocols.
4 Brånemark PI, Svensson B, van Steenberghe D. Ten-year survival rates of fixed prostheses on four or six implants ad modum Brånemark in full edentulism. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 1995; 6(4):227-231.

Survival rate citations on this page reflect published longitudinal studies in the implant dentistry literature. Patient outcomes vary by individual circumstance, anatomy, behavior, and adherence to maintenance protocols. Comparative survival data between four-implant and six-implant protocols is most reliable when drawn from well-controlled studies in healthy patient populations.