All-on-6®

At Artistic Family Dental, All-on-6® is a full-arch dental restoration that replaces an entire upper or lower set of teeth by securing a fixed prosthesis to six implants placed strategically along the jaw. This implant-supported bridge distributes biting forces across multiple anchors, creating a stable replacement that behaves more like natural teeth during chewing and speaking. Because the prosthesis is fixed to implants, it eliminates the need for nightly removal and reduces the chance of slippage that can occur with conventional removable dentures.

Daily care for an All-on-6® restoration is similar to caring for natural teeth and includes routine brushing and interdental cleaning to maintain soft-tissue health around the implants. The implant fixtures help stimulate the jawbone, which can slow bone loss and preserve facial contours compared with appliances that rest on the gums. Overall, the approach emphasizes predictable function, improved comfort, and a long-term restorative solution for full-arch tooth replacement.

Good candidates for All-on-6® are adults with extensive tooth loss, failing dentition, or edentulous arches who want a fixed full-arch solution rather than removable dentures. The candidacy evaluation examines general health, oral hygiene habits, bone quality and quantity, and lifestyle factors such as smoking that can affect healing. Patients with controlled systemic conditions and a willingness to follow postoperative guidelines are frequently suitable for implant-based restorations.

Even when jawbone volume is compromised, modern planning and surgical techniques can often adapt the plan to available anatomy or recommend preparatory procedures like targeted grafting if needed. A personalized clinical assessment establishes whether six implants are appropriate or whether alternative implant distributions or staged treatment are preferable. Clear communication about expected outcomes, timeline, and recovery helps patients decide whether All-on-6® is the right option for their goals.

Treatment planning for All-on-6® typically begins with a thorough clinical exam and three-dimensional imaging such as a cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan to evaluate bone volume, adjacent anatomy, and implant angulation. Digital impressions and intraoral scans are often combined with the CBCT to produce an accurate virtual model of the jaw, which allows the team to design implant positions that maximize available bone. Surgical guides or computer-assisted planning are frequently used to translate the virtual plan into precise implant placement during surgery.

Advanced planning reduces intraoperative surprises and supports long-term function by optimizing implant distribution and prosthesis support. The planning phase also includes provisional prosthesis design so patients can have immediate esthetics and function when clinically appropriate. Before surgery, the clinical team discusses the proposed plan, alternatives, and any preparatory steps to ensure predictable outcomes.

On the day of implant placement, the surgeon positions the six implants according to the preplanned guide or template, taking care to achieve primary stability necessary for immediate provisionalization when indicated. When implant stability meets clinical criteria, a temporary fixed prosthesis can often be attached the same day or within a short period to restore appearance and basic chewing function. This provisional bridge protects soft tissues and provides immediate esthetic benefits while the implants undergo osseointegration.

Some cases require a staged approach where a removable or delayed provisional is used until the implants integrate fully, depending on bone quality and overall health factors. Osseointegration usually proceeds over several months, during which time the clinical team monitors healing and makes any necessary adjustments to the provisional. Once integration and soft-tissue maturation are complete, a custom final bridge is fabricated and secured to the implants for long-term function and esthetics.

Recovery after All-on-6® typically involves a few days of swelling and mild-to-moderate discomfort that can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications and cold-compress therapy. Patients are usually advised to follow a soft or blended diet for several weeks, avoid heavy chewing on the surgical sites, and maintain good oral hygiene with gentle cleaning techniques recommended by the team. Rest, limited physical exertion for the first few days, and adherence to postoperative instructions help support uncomplicated healing.

Follow-up visits are scheduled to evaluate implant stability, soft-tissue healing, and prosthesis fit; the clinical team adjusts care protocols as needed throughout the osseointegration period. Any prolonged or worsening symptoms such as increasing pain, persistent bleeding, or signs of infection should be reported promptly so the team can assess and intervene. With attentive care and monitoring, most patients progress smoothly from provisional to definitive restoration.

Maintenance for an All-on-6® restoration combines consistent home care with routine professional monitoring. Home care typically includes brushing the prosthesis twice daily, cleaning around implant access points with interdental brushes or water flossers, and following any specific oral hygiene recommendations provided by the team. These daily routines help control plaque buildup and support healthy surrounding tissues.

Professional maintenance appointments allow the clinical team to evaluate implant stability, prosthesis fit, and peri-implant tissue health and to perform thorough cleanings in areas that are difficult to reach at home. Occasionally, maintenance procedures such as screw-tightening, component replacement, or minor prosthesis adjustments are necessary and are part of the expected long-term stewardship of an implant-supported bridge. Regular follow-up is key to early detection of any issues and to preserving function and comfort over time.

All-on-6® restorations are designed as a long-term solution, and many patients experience durable function for many years when implants and prosthetic components are properly maintained. Longevity depends on factors such as oral hygiene, regular professional care, the quality of the initial surgical placement, prosthesis design, and lifestyle influences like tobacco use and bruxism. Routine monitoring and timely maintenance of prosthetic components also play a significant role in extending the lifespan of the restoration.

Component wear or complications can sometimes require repair or replacement of parts of the prosthesis over time, which is a normal aspect of restorative care and not necessarily a sign of treatment failure. Early detection of mechanical or biological issues through scheduled checkups often allows conservative intervention that preserves the overall restoration. Patients who commit to recommended care and follow-up appointments generally achieve the most predictable long-term outcomes.

As with any surgical procedure, All-on-6® carries potential risks that the clinical team discusses during evaluation, including infection, slow or incomplete osseointegration, and peri-implant inflammation that can compromise implant health if left untreated. Mechanical complications such as screw loosening, prosthesis wear, or fracture of components may occur and are managed through maintenance and repair. Rare risks related to surgical anatomy—such as temporary nerve irritation or sinus involvement in the upper jaw—are minimized through careful imaging and surgical planning.

Risk mitigation starts with a comprehensive assessment, precise planning using CBCT and digital tools, and strict postoperative instructions. Early recognition of symptoms like persistent pain, unusual mobility, or changes in soft tissue around implants allows timely clinical intervention. Most complications are manageable when patients maintain regular follow-up and communicate concerns promptly to the care team.

Limited jawbone volume does not automatically rule out All-on-6® because modern strategies—such as targeted bone grafting, ridge augmentation, or optimized implant angulation—can create suitable support in many cases. Digital planning helps the team determine whether grafting or modified implant placement is necessary to achieve long-term stability and to avoid critical anatomical structures. In some situations, alternative implant distributions or staged reconstruction are recommended to build a stable foundation before final restoration.

A personalized assessment that includes CBCT imaging is essential to evaluate bone quantity and quality and to discuss all viable treatment pathways. The clinical team will explain the potential benefits and tradeoffs of grafting versus alternative approaches and provide a clear timeline for each option. Individual health factors and healing capacity are considered to arrive at a plan that balances predictability, function, and patient preferences.

During a consultation at Artistic Family Dental you can expect a comprehensive review of your medical and dental history, a clinical exam, and diagnostic imaging such as a CBCT or digital scan to assess bone anatomy and treatment suitability. The team will discuss your goals, perform an oral evaluation, and explain the step-by-step process of planning, surgery, provisionalization, and final prosthesis delivery. This visit is an opportunity to ask specific questions about recovery, maintenance, and expected outcomes so you can make an informed decision.

If All-on-6® appears to be a suitable option, the practice will present personalized treatment options, outline recommended preparatory steps if needed, and provide a clear timeline for the phases of care. Artistic Family Dental offers coordinated care across its offices in Chicago Heights, Hazel Crest, Highland and Schererville to facilitate follow-up visits and professional maintenance. The consultation concludes with a recommended plan and next steps tailored to the patient’s clinical needs and expectations.