All-on-4 and All-on-6 are names for replacing a full jaw of teeth with a fixed bridge supported by implants, using four or six implants. The numbers are not magic. What matters is whether the plan fits your bone, bite and goals.
The basic idea
Instead of one implant per tooth, a full-arch bridge is supported by a smaller number of implants placed in the best available bone. A temporary bridge is often fitted soon after surgery, and the final bridge is made after healing.
All-on-4
Four implants, usually with the back two tilted so that they can be longer and anchor in the available bone. Fewer implants means a shorter surgery and often a lower cost. If one implant is lost, the remaining three may not carry the bridge safely.
All-on-6
Six implants spread the load more widely and give some margin if one is lost. It usually needs more bone and a longer procedure, and it costs more. It is often considered when the bone is good or the bite is strong.
What decides it for you
Bone volume and quality, the shape of the jaw, how you bite, whether you grind your teeth, your general health and your budget. A scan, not a brochure, decides this. Be cautious of any clinic that recommends a number of implants before examining you.
What to ask
What is the temporary bridge and how long will I wear it? What is the final bridge made of? What warranty or aftercare is included? Who will adjust the bridge at home? How should I clean it?
The short version
More implants are not automatically better, and fewer are not automatically a bargain. The right number is the one your scan and bite support.
General information, not medical advice. A qualified dentist decides what suits you after examining you.