Full-mouth All-on-6: treating both jaws

What “full mouth” means

All-on-6 replaces one arch of teeth. Full-mouth All-on-6 is simply both arches: six implants in the upper jaw with one fixed bridge, and six in the lower jaw with another. That is twelve implants, two temporary bridges and, later, two final bridges.

The treatment for each jaw is the same as described on what is All-on-6. What changes is the planning, the day itself and how you manage while both jaws heal.

Planning the two jaws together

When only one jaw is treated, the new bridge has to fit around the teeth or denture you already have in the other jaw. When both are treated, the dentist designs the whole bite from scratch: how high your face should be when your teeth meet, where the front teeth sit under your lips, and how the back teeth come together when you chew.

• Face height. Long-term denture wearers often have a collapsed bite. Restoring height can soften lines around the mouth, but too much at once feels strange. See how All-on-6 changes your face.
• Upper and lower bone differ. The upper jaw has the sinuses above it and is often softer bone; the lower jaw has the nerve that runs through it. Each jaw is planned on its own terms. See the upper jaw and the sinus and the lower jaw nerve.
• Matched materials. Two zirconia bridges, or two of the same material, wear evenly against each other. See materials.

Surgery day

Both jaws can often be treated in a single long appointment. Some surgeons prefer to do the upper and lower on consecutive days, which keeps each appointment shorter. Either way, you normally go through one healing period rather than two.

Expect the appointment to take longer than for one jaw, and plan to rest completely for the rest of the day. If you have medical conditions or take blood thinners, your dentist may prefer to split the treatment. Read heart conditions and blood thinners.

Recovery when both jaws are new

With one jaw treated, you still have something familiar to chew with on the other side. With both, every bite lands on new temporary teeth. That makes the soft-food phase more important, not less.

• The first days: swelling and soreness in both jaws, usually worst around day two or three.
• Food: soft and cut small, for the whole healing period. Our eating guide has a stage-by-stage list.
• Speech: two new bridges change the space your tongue works in. Most people adapt within weeks. See speaking with All-on-6.
• Cleaning: twice the work, from the first day. Start the routine early; see cleaning and care.

Getting the bite right

With two new bridges, the way they meet is entirely designed. That is an advantage, but small differences in how you close become noticeable. Expect bite checks after the temporary bridges are fitted and again after the final ones. A bite that is too heavy on one spot can chip teeth or loosen screws over time. See bite adjustment.

If you grind or clench your teeth, tell your dentist. A night guard made for fixed bridges is often advised when both jaws carry implant bridges. See teeth grinding.

Looking after two bridges

Maintenance is the same for each bridge, done twice: cleaning underneath every day, regular hygiene visits and periodic removal of the bridges for a deep clean. Zirconia full-arch bridges have a low failure rate in short-term studies, but chipping of veneered porcelain is a common minor complication, which is one reason for regular checks.

Deciding between one jaw and both is partly a cost and travel question. Those sides are covered by our sister guides: allon6cost.co.uk for costs and allon6turkey.co.uk for planning the trips.

Common questions

Can both jaws be done on the same day?

Often, yes, if your health allows a longer appointment. Some surgeons prefer to treat each jaw on a separate day of the same visit. Both approaches lead to one healing period.

Is recovery harder with both jaws?

It tends to be more uncomfortable for the first few days because there are two surgical areas, and eating is more limited because neither side has natural teeth to chew with. The healing time itself is similar.

Do I need All-on-6 in both jaws?

Only if both jaws need it. Some people need a full arch in one jaw and have healthy or repairable teeth in the other. The opposing teeth affect the design of the bridge.

Should both bridges be the same material?

Usually, yes. Matching materials make the bite more predictable and the wear more even. Your dentist will explain if there is a reason to do otherwise.

Sources

1. British Society of Periodontology — Patient FAQs: dental implants (planning, healing, maintenance)
2. Oral Health Foundation — Dental implants
3. Bidra et al. (2017), Eur J Oral Implantol — Clinical outcomes of full-arch fixed implant-supported zirconia prostheses: systematic review

Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.