All-on-4 vs All-on-6 vs Snap-On Dentures: Which One Fits Your Jaw
Content
All three replace a full arch of teeth on implants, and all three are sold as the solution for people tired of loose dentures. They are different treatments for different jaws and budgets. This is how All-on-4, All-on-6 and snap-on dentures compare.
The short answer
- All-on-4: four implants carry a fixed bridge with 10 ceramic crowns. Not removable by you. Often possible without bone grafting.
- All-on-6: six implants carry a fixed bridge with 12 crowns. Spreads the load further. Usually the choice for softer upper-jaw bone, grinders and heavier bites.
- Snap-on denture: two to four implants hold a removable denture that clicks onto them. You take it out to clean it and for sleep.
Side by side
| All-on-4 | All-on-6 | Snap-on denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
| Implants per jaw | 4 | 6 | 2 to 4 |
| Teeth in the bridge | 10 crowns | 12 crowns | Full acrylic denture |
| Price with us (per jaw) | €4,500 | €5,500 | Quoted individually |
| Feels like | Natural teeth | Natural teeth | Much better than a loose denture, still a denture |
| Cleaning | Water flosser under the bridge | Water flosser under the bridge | Remove, brush and soak |
| Palate (upper jaw) | Open | Open | Often covered |
All-on-4 vs All-on-6
The difference is two implants and two crowns, and €1,000 per jaw with us. Six implants spread chewing force over more points, which is an advantage in the upper jaw where bone is softer, for patients who grind their teeth, and where the bone allows it. Four are enough in most lower jaws and in upper jaws with good bone, and they avoid grafting where the back of the jaw has shrunk. The decision comes from the CT scan, not from preference. More on the All-on-6 page.
Fixed bridge vs snap-on denture
A snap-on denture costs less because it needs fewer implants and no ceramic bridge, and it is a sensible choice when the budget is the limit, when the patient prefers to remove their teeth, or when the jaw has lost so much volume that the facial support of a denture is wanted. Its limits are that it is still a denture: it can move slightly, the clips wear and are replaced over time, and food can collect underneath. If you want teeth that behave like your own and you can afford the difference, the fixed bridge is the better result.
How to decide
- Start with the CT scan: bone volume and density decide between four and six implants.
- Decide whether you want fixed teeth or are comfortable with a removable denture.
- Compare itemised prices that include the temporary and permanent prosthesis.
Frequently asked questions
Is All-on-6 better than All-on-4?
Not by default. It is better when the bone and bite call for it. In a jaw with good bone, four implants carry the bridge reliably.
Can a snap-on denture be converted to a fixed bridge later?
Sometimes, if the implants are in the right positions and number. In most cases a fixed bridge needs a new plan, so decide before the surgery if you can.
Which one lasts longest?
The implants are designed to last for life with good hygiene in all three. The prosthesis is what wears: a ceramic bridge usually lasts 15 years or more, a snap-on denture has parts that are replaced more often.
Next step
Send your X-ray through the free online consultation and we will tell you which option your bone supports, with the price per jaw. See the full process in the All-on-4 abroad guide.
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