If you have missing teeth or dentures that slip, you have likely heard about full-arch implants. Now you are looking at two options with similar names and very different price tags.

All-on-4 uses four titanium posts per arch. All-on-6 adds two more for cases where the jaw needs extra support. Both give you a fixed, permanent set of teeth that do not come out at night. The right choice depends on your bone, your arch size, and which jaw needs the work.

At Scripps West Dental in Mira Mesa, Dr. James Choi, DDS, places implants. Dr. Gary Sigafoos, DDS, a gum and bone specialist with over 25 years of implant work, handles complex cases. Dr. James Tasto, DDS, designs and fits the final teeth.

All three work in the same San Diego office. Your surgeon and your restorative dentist talk to each other from day one.

Key takeaways if you are comparing full-arch implants

• All-on-4 uses four implants per arch and typically costs $14,000 to $35,000 per arch in San Diego.
• All-on-6 uses six implants and is often the choice for the upper jaw, where bone tends to be softer.
• Both options give you a fixed set of teeth. A temporary arch goes on the same day as your surgery.
• A 10-year study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found an implant survival rate above 94% for All-on-4.
• Call Scripps West Dental at (858) 695-1776 to book a CT scan and consult so your team can pick the right option for your jaw.

How does All-on-4 work?

All-on-4 holds a full arch of teeth on four titanium implants. Two posts go straight into the front of the jaw, where bone is thicker. Two more tilt at about 30 to 45 degrees toward the back. That angle lets each implant grab more bone and often removes the need for bone grafting, even in patients who have lost some jaw density.

Your surgeon places all four implants in a single visit. Before you leave, a temporary set of teeth locks onto the posts. You walk out with a full arch, not a gap.

Over the next three to six months, the titanium fuses with your jaw bone. Dentists call this process osseointegration. You eat a soft diet for the first few weeks, then shift back to regular foods as healing moves forward. Most patients return to desk work within three to five days. Once your surgeon confirms healing, Dr. Tasto fits your permanent arch.

What does the research show?

The Journal of the American Dental Association published a long-term study of 245 patients with 980 All-on-4 implants. At ten years, 94.8% of implants survived. The prosthesis survival rate hit 99.2%. A second study with up to 18 years of data reported a prosthesis survival rate of 98.8%. These numbers come from peer-reviewed clinical trials, not marketing claims.

Who is a good fit for All-on-4?

All-on-4 works for most patients who have lost all or most teeth on one or both arches. Good fits include people with moderate bone density, patients wearing dentures that slip or cause sore spots, and people whose remaining teeth are too damaged to save. The angled back implants make All-on-4 viable even when patients have less bone than single implants need.

All-on-6: six implants for broader support

All-on-6 adds two more implant posts per arch. Six posts spread bite force across more contact points. That extra spread gives the arch more grip, which matters when bone is soft or the arch is wide. Surgery, temp teeth, and the healing window are similar to All-on-4. The two extra implants help most in the upper jaw. Upper jaw bone is softer and thinner than lower jaw bone. The American College of Prosthodontists notes that the upper jaw poses more challenges for implant work because of lower bone density and the sinus cavity sitting close by. Six implants spread the load more evenly in that setting.

All-on-6 surgery also takes slightly longer than All-on-4 because two more implant sites need drilling and placement. Recovery time is similar. The temporary arch goes on the same day, and final teeth go on after three to six months of healing.

When do six implants actually change the outcome?

Not everyone needs six. Your dentist may suggest All-on-6 when you have a wide upper arch, major bone loss, or a heavy final material like zirconia that puts more stress on the posts. If four implants give your arch enough grip, two more do not add a clear benefit. The scan and exam tell the story.

All-on-4 and All-on-6 compared side by side

Both options produce a fixed arch that stays in your mouth. The differences come down to how much support your jaw needs, what the scan reveals about your bone, and what you will pay. This table puts the key factors next to each other.

Factor	All-on-4	All-on-6
Implants per arch	4	6
Bone grafting	Rarely needed	More common, especially upper jaw
Typical fits	Most patients with adequate bone	Patients with softer bone or wider arch
Surgical time	Shorter	Slightly longer
Same-day temp teeth	Yes	Yes
Healing period	3 to 6 months	3 to 6 months
Cost per arch in San Diego	$14,000 to $35,000	$20,000 to $50,000
10-year success rate	Above 94% (JADA)	Comparable when properly chosen

Your anatomy may shift the pick. A CT scan and clinical exam are the only sure way to know which option fits.

What does full-arch implant treatment cost in San Diego?

All-on-4 in San Diego typically runs $14,000 to $35,000 per arch. All-on-6 costs more, generally $20,000 to $50,000 per arch. A full-mouth job covering both arches ranges from $35,000 to $70,000 depending on your case. Cost varies by case. Your team will give you an exact number at your consult.

Several factors push the price up or down. Pulling damaged teeth adds to the bill. The material of the final arch matters: acrylic costs less, while zirconia lasts longer and costs more. Bone grafting, the type of sedation, and imaging fees also play a role.

Most dental plans offer limited or no coverage for full-arch implants. Some plans cover parts of tooth removal or the prosthetic piece. Call your insurer before your visit to learn what your plan covers.

Does the cost make sense over time?

Standard dentures need relining or replacing every 5 to 10 years. They also do not stop jaw bone loss. Full-arch implants, with the right care, can last 20 years or more. The posts themselves often last a lifetime. When you add up the cost of denture refits, adhesives, and replacements over 15 to 20 years, implants often come out ahead.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that bone grafts alone can cost $400 to $3,000. All-on-4 often skips that step entirely because of the angled rear implant design. Fewer extra procedures can mean a lower total cost, even when the base price looks higher.

How to decide between All-on-4 and All-on-6

The choice is clinical, not cosmetic. Your bone density, arch width, and which jaw needs the work drive the pick.

All-on-4 is typically the call when the lower jaw has good bone density, the patient wants to skip bone grafting where possible, and the arch size supports four-point grip. All-on-6 is typically the call when the upper jaw needs the work, when bone density runs below average, or when the final teeth will be zirconia or another heavier material.

A CT scan shows your bone depth and density in 3D. Your surgeon uses that image to map implant spots, angles, and lengths before anything enters your jaw. This choice comes from your scan and exam, not from reading a website.

Some patients come in expecting one option and leave with a plan for the other. That is normal. Bone density varies not just between people but between the upper and lower jaw of the same person. A patient may get All-on-4 on the bottom and All-on-6 on top. The scan tells the story.

What happens at your first visit?

Your consult at Scripps West Dental starts with a full set of X-rays and a CT scan. Dr. Choi or Dr. Sigafoos reviews the images with you, shows you where your bone is strong and where it is thin, and explains which option fits your jaw. You get a written treatment plan and a clear cost estimate before any work begins. No pressure to decide on the spot.

Full-arch implants at Scripps West Dental in Mira Mesa

Scripps West Dental runs every phase of All-on-4 and All-on-6 treatment at 9420 Mira Mesa Blvd, Suite D, San Diego. Dr. James Choi, DDS, and Dr. Gary Sigafoos, DDS, handle surgical placement. Dr. James Tasto, DDS, designs and fits the final teeth. You stay with one team from your first scan to your last check-up. No outside referrals for surgery, no bouncing between offices.

Dr. Sigafoos brings over 25 years of dental implant work across North San Diego. His focus on gum and bone health means complex cases stay in-house instead of going to an outside specialist.

Patients from Scripps Ranch, University City, Rancho Penasquitos, Sorrento Valley, and Carmel Valley drive to the Mira Mesa office for implant consults. If you are weighing All-on-4 against All-on-6, or if another dentist has told you that you need full-arch implants, the next step is a CT scan and a conversation with the team. Call Scripps West Dental at (858) 695-1776 and ask Jasmin or Mina at the front desk to set up your visit.