All-on-4 vs All-on-6 vs Snap-in Dentures: Which Full-Arch Option Suits You?
In short: All-on-4 and All-on-6 are fixed full arches of teeth, held on 4 or 5–6 implants, and only your dentist removes them. A snap-in implant denture is removable: it clips onto 2–4 implants and you take it out to clean it. Fixed options feel closer to natural teeth but need more implants and cost more. Snap-in dentures need fewer implants and less bone and cost less. Your examination and X-rays show which options suit you.
All-on-4 vs All-on-6 vs snap-in dentures at a glance
| All-on-4 | All-on-6 | Snap-in denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
| Implants per jaw | 4 (back two angled) | 5–6, usually upright | 2–4 (often 2 lower, 4 upper) |
| Bone needed | Moderate; angled implants help avoid grafting | More bone, or grafting first | Least |
| Daily cleaning | Brush in place, plus interdental brushes or a water flosser | Same as All-on-4 | Take out, brush the denture and clean around the implants |
| Ongoing upkeep | Regular reviews and professional cleans | Regular reviews and professional cleans | Clips replaced over time; denture relined over the years |
| Cost at Perth Prime Dental | From about $20,000 per arch | Quoted after your consultation | Quoted after your consultation |
Fixed or removable: what changes day to day
Fixed teeth (All-on-4, All-on-6) stay in when you eat, talk and sleep. There’s no adhesive, and an upper fixed bridge doesn’t cover the roof of your mouth, so taste and temperature feel more natural. You clean them in place, much like natural teeth, using a brush, interdental brushes or a water flosser. With All-on-4, provisional (temporary) teeth can often be fitted on the day of surgery in suitable cases.
A snap-in denture is far steadier than a regular denture because it locks onto the implants. Most people take it out at night and to clean it. The small clips inside it wear and are replaced from time to time, and the denture itself is relined as your gums change. Because you can take it out, cleaning around the implants is easy.
All-on-4 vs All-on-6: what do the extra implants change?
Both give you a fixed full arch. The difference is support:
- All-on-4 angles the two back implants (often 30–45°) so they reach more bone while staying clear of the sinus in the upper jaw and the nerve in the lower jaw. That often avoids bone grafting.
- All-on-6 spreads the biting load over 5–6 implants, which can suit people with good bone volume or a strong bite. It usually needs more bone, sometimes with grafting, and costs more because there are more implants and parts.
Neither is “better” for everyone. Your bone, your bite and your budget decide, and your X-rays show the bone. Read more about All-on-4 treatment or see all full-arch implant options.
When a snap-in denture makes more sense
A snap-in implant denture is often the better fit if you:
- have a loose lower denture (the most common complaint, because the lower jaw has little to hold a denture)
- want much more stability without the cost of a fixed arch
- have less bone, since fewer implants are needed
- prefer teeth you can take out to clean.
Sometimes your current denture can be converted, if it fits well and is in good condition.
Told you don’t have enough bone?
That doesn’t always rule out implants. Bone grafting or a sinus lift can rebuild bone, and for severe bone loss in the upper jaw, zygomatic implants anchor in the cheekbone instead. A snap-in denture on fewer implants is another option. And if implants aren’t right for you, a conventional denture is still a valid choice.
What does each option cost in Perth?
At Perth Prime Dental, All-on-4 starts from about $20,000 per arch (zirconia bridges $28,000–$35,000). All-on-6, snap-in dentures and zygomatic implants are quoted in writing after your free consultation, because the number of implants, any grafting and the type of teeth change the price. Payment plans (Afterpay, Zip, Zip Money, humm, DentiCare), health fund claiming through HICAPS and early release of superannuation for eligible patients can help. See payment options and our All-on-4 cost guide.
Questions to ask at your consultation
- Which options are possible for me, and which would you not recommend for me?
- Will I need extractions, bone grafting or a sinus lift first?
- Will I have temporary teeth while I heal, and for how long?
- What material are the final teeth, and what upkeep do they need?
- What does the written quote include: X-rays, extractions, temporary teeth and reviews?
Frequently asked questions
Is All-on-4 or a snap-in denture better?
It depends on what you want. All-on-4 is fixed and feels closer to natural teeth; a snap-in denture is removable, needs fewer implants and costs less. Your bone, health, budget and how you want to clean your teeth all matter.
How many implants does a snap-in denture need?
Usually two for a lower denture and four for an upper denture, depending on your bone and bite.
Can I upgrade from a snap-in denture to fixed teeth later?
Sometimes. It depends on how many implants you have, where they are and your bone. Ask about this at your consultation if it might matter to you later.
How long does full-arch treatment take?
The implants usually need about 3–6 months to bond to the bone before your final teeth are fitted. With fixed options, provisional teeth can often be fitted soon after surgery, depending on how stable the implants are.
Is the consultation free?
Yes. Implant consultations at Perth Prime Dental are free, followed by a written quote.
Talk it through with Dr Ali Matin
Dr Ali Matin has 25+ years in practice and has been placing implants since 2008. At a free consultation at our Perth CBD clinic (London Court, 1/58 St Georges Terrace), he’ll go through your options, including when a conventional denture is the better choice, with no pressure to decide on the day.
Book a free consultation Call (08) 9325 4175
General information only, not personal advice. All implant treatment involves surgery and carries risks, including infection, swelling, nerve injury, sinus problems and implants not bonding to the bone. Smoking and some medical conditions increase these risks. Results vary between people. You’re welcome to get a second opinion.
