One-piece bridge or several sections?

Two ways to build a full arch

A full arch of fixed teeth on implants can be made in two broad ways.

• One-piece (cross-arch) bridge: a single bridge running from one side of the jaw to the other, screwed onto all the implants at once. This is what most people mean by All-on-6.
• Segmented bridges: two or three shorter bridges, each screwed onto its own group of implants, for example a front section and two back sections. Together they replace the whole arch.

Both are fixed: only a dentist can remove them. The choice depends mainly on how much bone you have, where it is, and how many implants can be placed.

Why one piece is usual for All-on-6

A one-piece bridge splints all six implants together. That has several advantages:

• Load sharing. Biting on one side is shared by all six implants through the rigid framework, not only by those under the tooth.
• Works with tilted implants. Back implants angled to avoid the sinus or nerve can still support teeth further back, because the bridge can extend slightly beyond them.
• Fewer implants needed. Six well-placed implants can carry a full arch.
• Good evidence. A 2014 review found 96.7% five-year survival for screw-retained full-arch reconstructions, and a 2017 review of one-piece zirconia full-arch bridges found a very low short-term failure rate.

The trade-offs are that the framework must fit all six implants at once without strain, which requires accurate recording of implant positions, and that any repair means removing the whole bridge.

When segments make sense

Segmented bridges are more like conventional bridges on natural teeth. Each section stands on its own implants, so the implants need to be spread evenly around the arch, including at the back, which means enough bone in those areas. In the upper jaw that often requires good bone under the sinuses; in the lower jaw, enough height above the nerve.

• Problems are contained. If one section chips or one implant has a problem, only that section needs attention.
• Natural gaps between sections can make cleaning easier for some people.
• Shorter bridges can be easier to fit precisely, because each one only has to fit two or three implants.
• A more natural look between teeth in some cases, especially at the front.

The main costs are more implants, usually eight or more for three segments, and the need for good bone in the right places, sometimes with grafting. Research on the number of implants for full arches has not shown that more implants always last longer, so segmenting is chosen for practical reasons, not because it is automatically better.

Side by side

What decides it for you

For most people considering All-on-6, the deciding factor is bone. Years without teeth usually leave less bone at the back of both jaws, which favours a one-piece bridge on six implants, some tilted. People who still have good bone along the arch, perhaps because they have lost teeth more recently, may be candidates for segments. Your bite, grinding habits and aesthetic priorities also play a part. See teeth grinding and how All-on-6 changes your face.

Materials

Both designs can be made in zirconia, in acrylic teeth on a metal framework, or in other combinations. Zirconia is very strong and resists wear and staining; layered porcelain on zirconia can chip. Acrylic is lighter, cheaper and easier to repair but wears faster. The British Society of Periodontology notes that the bridge on implants may need replacing more often than the implants themselves, whichever design is used. More on materials and on how long it lasts.

Repairs and the long term

With a one-piece bridge, a chipped tooth or worn acrylic means removing the whole bridge for repair, which may take the bridge out of your mouth for a day or more. Ask what happens in that case, for example whether a temporary bridge is available. With segments, a single section can be removed while the rest stays in place. See broken or loose bridge.

Questions to ask

• Why do you recommend a one-piece bridge or segments for me?
• How many implants does each option need, and would I need grafting?
• How will I clean under or between the sections?
• If one tooth chips, what does the repair involve?
• Can I see examples of each design?

How fit affects the long term

Whichever design is used, the framework must sit on the implants without strain, a quality dentists call passive fit. A one-piece bridge has to fit six implants at once, so any small error in recording their positions is shared across the whole arch. That is why accurate methods of recording implant positions, such as careful impressions, intra-oral scanning or photogrammetry, matter so much for full-arch work. A bridge that is slightly strained may still go in, but it can put extra stress on screws and implants over time. Segmented bridges reduce this challenge because each section only has to fit two or three implants. See the parts glossary for these terms.

Appearance

A one-piece bridge often includes a continuous pink section along the gumline, replacing lost gum and bone. That gives a uniform look and can support the lips well. Segmented bridges may have joins between sections, usually placed where they are least visible, and may rely more on your own gum where bone and gum are still good. For people with a high smile line, where the gum shows when smiling, the position of any join, whether between bridge and gum or between sections, is worth discussing before treatment. See how All-on-6 changes your face.

Cost and time

Because segmented bridges usually need more implants and often more grafting, they tend to involve more surgery and can take longer. A one-piece bridge on six implants is usually simpler to plan and quicker to complete. Costs depend on the clinic and materials; our sister guide allon6cost.co.uk covers what affects the price of full-arch treatment.

Changing design later

If a one-piece bridge eventually needs replacing, it is usually replaced with another one-piece bridge on the same implants. Converting to segments would normally require additional implants. If you think you might prefer the flexibility of segments, raise it at the planning stage.

A note on terms

You may hear different names for these designs. A one-piece bridge is also called a full-arch, cross-arch or complete-arch fixed prosthesis, or a hybrid bridge when acrylic teeth are set on a metal bar. Segmented bridges are sometimes described as two or three “units” or “sections”. If a quote uses a term you don't understand, ask what it means for you in practice: how many implants, how many pieces, and what material.

Common questions

Is a segmented bridge stronger?

Not necessarily. A one-piece bridge splints all implants together, which spreads load well. Segments rely on each pair or trio of implants to carry its own share. Both can be strong when well planned.

Can a one-piece bridge be repaired if one tooth chips?

Yes. The bridge is unscrewed and repaired in a laboratory. Chips in zirconia or acrylic teeth can often be repaired or the teeth replaced.

Which is easier to clean?

Segmented bridges have natural gaps between sections where brushes can pass, which some people find easier. One-piece bridges are cleaned underneath with interdental brushes or a water flosser.

Does segmented mean more implants?

Often. Three segments usually need eight implants or more, positioned evenly, whereas a one-piece bridge can work on six with some tilted.

Can I choose?

You can express a preference, but your bone, bite and implant positions largely decide. Ask your dentist why they recommend one or the other.

Sources

1. Bidra et al. (2017), Eur J Oral Implantol — Clinical outcomes of full-arch fixed implant-supported zirconia prostheses
2. Wittneben et al. (2014), Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants — Screw- versus cement-retained implant reconstructions (full-arch survival)
3. British Society of Periodontology — Patient FAQs: dental implants (bridges on implants, prosthesis replacement)
4. Dental Elf — Number of implants and full-arch prosthesis survival

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