How All-on-6 works, from first X-ray to final teeth
All-on-6 takes months, not days. Here is each stage in order, what happens at it, and roughly how long it lasts.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026All-on-6 normally runs in two treatment stages a few months apart. First comes an assessment with X-rays and a 3D scan, then surgery to place six implants per jaw, usually with fixed temporary teeth within a day or two. After roughly four months of healing, the final bridge is designed, tried in and screwed in place. Check-ups and hygiene visits then continue for life.
Stage 1: assessment (before any treatment)
Everything starts with finding out whether All-on-6 is possible and sensible for you. The British Society of Periodontology describes the assessment as a clinical examination plus images such as X-rays, scans and photographs, and stresses that there must be no ongoing dental disease before implants are placed.
- Medical history: conditions, medicines, smoking, previous surgery or radiotherapy. Our articles on diabetes, osteoporosis and blood thinners explain why these matter.
- Panoramic X-ray: a flat overview of both jaws and remaining teeth. Many people send one from home before travelling.
- CBCT 3D scan: shows the height, width and density of the bone, and where the nerve and sinuses are.
- Photos and bite records: help plan where the new teeth should sit and how your face is supported.
Stage 2: the written plan
From the scan, the dentist plans where each implant will go and what the bridge will be made of. You should receive this in writing: number and brand of implants, whether any bone grafting is expected, what the temporary and final teeth are made of, the timeline, the price and the guarantee. Read who All-on-6 suits before this stage so you know what to ask.
Some clinics turn the plan into a surgical guide, a template that helps place implants where they were planned. See guided surgery for All-on-6.
Stage 3: surgery day
Any remaining teeth that cannot be kept are removed, the bone is shaped where needed and six implants are placed along the jaw, usually under local anaesthetic. One jaw typically takes a few hours. The step-by-step version is on surgery day.
Stage 4: temporary teeth (the first day or two)
If the implants are firm enough in the bone, a fixed acrylic temporary bridge is screwed on within a day or two, sometimes the same day. This is called immediate loading. When implants are not firm enough, a temporary denture or a delayed bridge is used instead. More on same-day teeth and living with temporary teeth.
Stage 5: healing (about four months)
The bone grows tightly against the implant surface. The Oral Health Foundation says this usually takes around four months; the British Society of Periodontology gives 6 to 12 weeks, up to 6 months, depending on the person. You eat softer foods, keep the area clean and have check-ups. Read recovery and eating after All-on-6.
Stage 6: the final bridge
Once the implants have healed, their exact positions are recorded with a scan or impression, and the final bridge is designed. You usually see a try-in version first so you can check the shape, colour and bite. The finished bridge, often zirconia teeth on a titanium framework, is then screwed in. Small bite adjustments are normal in the following weeks; see bite adjustment.
Stage 7: for life
Implant teeth cannot decay, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed. Daily cleaning under the bridge and regular professional maintenance are what keep All-on-6 working. See cleaning and care and hygienist visits.
Typical timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Weeks before | X-ray, medical history, initial opinion |
| Day 1 | Consultation, CBCT scan, written plan, consent |
| Day 1–2 | Surgery: extractions and six implants per jaw |
| Day 1–3 | Temporary bridge fitted, if implants are firm enough |
| First week | Short check-ups, stitches, bite checks |
| Months 1–4 | Healing at home, soft diet, cleaning |
| Around month 4–6 | Final records, try-in and fitting of the final bridge |
| Every few months to yearly | Check-ups and hygiene visits, X-rays when advised |
Times vary: bone grafts, slower healing or medical conditions can add months. If you are travelling for treatment, how the stages fit into two trips is covered on allon6turkey.co.uk.
At Precious Dental All-on-6 is planned from a CBCT scan, implants are placed by our implant surgeon Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, and the final bridge positions are recorded with iCam photogrammetry alongside an intra-oral scan. Why Precious Dental.
Common questions
How long does All-on-6 take from start to finish?
Usually about four to six months from surgery to final teeth, plus the time before surgery for assessment and planning. Bone grafts or slower healing can make it longer.
How many appointments are there?
Typically an assessment, a surgery day, several short check-ups in the first week, and then a series of appointments a few months later to record, try in and fit the final bridge.
Do I have temporary teeth the whole time?
In most cases, yes. A fixed temporary bridge is fitted within a day or two of surgery if the implants are firm enough, and worn until the final bridge is ready.
Can it all be done in one week?
The surgery and temporary teeth can. The final bridge cannot, because the implants need months to bond with the bone before they carry a permanent bridge.
Sources
- Oral Health Foundation — Dental implants (healing usually around four months; same-day teeth in some cases)
- British Society of Periodontology — Patient FAQs: dental implants (planning, placement, bony healing 6–12 weeks up to 6 months)
- Abdunabi et al. (2019), J Appl Oral Sci — Immediately loaded maxillary full-arch prostheses: systematic review
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
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