All-on-4, All-on-6 and Zygomatic Implants Compared

When you start looking into full arch dental implants in Los Angeles, you quickly run into terms like All-on-4, All-on-6 and zygomatic implants. These are different ways to anchor a full set of fixed teeth to your jaw. One is not better than another across the board. Each design fits a different situation, and a dentist decides which one may suit your bone, your gums and your health.

This post stays focused on the designs themselves. It does not cover cost, candidacy details or the surgery day, which other articles handle. The goal is simple: help you understand what these names mean and why a plan might use one over another.

What all full-arch designs share

Every full-arch design replaces a whole row of teeth, upper or lower, with a fixed bridge held by dental implants placed in the jawbone. The implants act like roots. The bridge of teeth attaches to them, so it does not rest on your gums the way a traditional denture does. For many patients, this feels more stable than a removable denture.

What changes from one design to the next is mostly the number of implants, where they sit, and how dentists work around bone that may be thin or missing. More implants are not automatically the goal. The right number depends on your anatomy and the plan your dentist builds after imaging and an exam.

All-on-4: four implants per arch

All-on-4 uses four implants to support a full arch of fixed teeth. Often the two back implants are placed at an angle. Tilting them can let a dentist use bone that is already present and sometimes avoid added procedures. For many patients with reasonable bone volume, four well-placed implants can carry a full bridge.

This design is widely used because it keeps the implant count lower while still aiming for a fixed result. Whether it fits you depends on how much healthy bone you have and where that bone sits.

Why angling the implants matters

Angled, or "tilted," implants are a normal part of many full-arch plans. The angle is chosen so the implant catches solid bone. Your final teeth are designed to work with that angle, so you should not notice it when you eat or smile.

All-on-6: six implants per arch

All-on-6 follows the same idea but uses six implants instead of four. The extra implants spread the load of the bridge across more points. For some patients, and in some parts of the mouth, a dentist may prefer this added support. The upper jaw, for example, is often softer than the lower jaw, so some plans add implants there.

More implants can mean more bone is needed in more spots, and that is part of why not everyone is a candidate for six. This is a judgment your dentist makes case by case. The number in the name is a starting point, not a rule. Some plans land on five, and the exact count is set during planning.

Zygomatic implants: anchoring in the cheekbone

Zygomatic implants are longer implants placed in the cheekbone, called the zygoma, rather than the upper jaw itself. Dentists may consider them when the upper jaw has lost a lot of bone and standard implants would not have enough to hold onto. By reaching into the denser cheekbone, these implants can sometimes support an upper arch without separate bone grafting first.

Zygomatic implants are a more specialized, involved procedure and are placed by surgeons with specific training. They are not a routine first choice. They tend to come up when severe upper-jaw bone loss rules out the other designs. If this is raised for you, it is worth asking plenty of questions and understanding why it is being suggested.

How dentists pick a design

The choice usually comes down to a few factors a dentist weighs together:

• Bone volume and quality, seen on a 3D scan and exam.
• Which arch is being treated, since upper and lower jaws differ.
• Your gum and overall health, which affect healing.
• The type of final teeth planned for the bridge.

No single design is right for everyone, and two people can get different plans for good reasons. A thorough workup, including imaging, comes before any firm recommendation. If a plan feels unclear, a second opinion is always reasonable.

Knowing these names helps you ask better questions and compare plans with more confidence. When you are ready to talk with a provider, you can get matched with a full-arch implant practice in the Los Angeles area, several of which have Spanish-speaking staff. You can also read about how this matching service works before you reach out.

Frequently asked questions

Is All-on-6 stronger than All-on-4?

Not automatically. More implants can spread the load across more points, but the right number depends on your bone and the plan your dentist designs, not on the name alone.

Are zygomatic implants a common first choice?

No. They are a specialized option that dentists often consider only when the upper jaw has lost significant bone and standard implants would not have enough to hold onto.

Why are some implants placed at an angle?

Angling, or tilting, lets a dentist use bone that is already there and sometimes avoid added procedures. Your final teeth are designed to work with that angle.

Can one person be a candidate for more than one design?

Yes. After imaging and an exam, a dentist may find that more than one design could work, and will discuss the trade-offs with you before you decide together.