All-on-4 vs All-on-6 in Phu Quoc: Which Full-Arch Solution Is Right for You?

If you are missing most or all of the teeth in an arch and looking at permanent implant solutions, you have likely encountered both All-on-4 and All-on-6. The marketing around both can be confusing, and the honest answer — which one is right for you — is almost entirely determined by your bone anatomy, not your preference.

This guide cuts through the marketing to explain what both procedures actually involve, what your CBCT scan will reveal, and how to have a productive conversation with your Phu Quoc dentist about which solution fits your case.

For related treatment detail, see the All-on-4 page and All-on-6 page. For dental tourism in Phu Quoc more broadly, the overview page covers clinics, costs, and planning.

What Both Solutions Do

All-on-4 and All-on-6 both achieve the same outcome: a fixed, non-removable bridge of replacement teeth for an entire arch (upper jaw, lower jaw, or both), supported by a small number of titanium implant posts rather than individual implants for each missing tooth.

The bridge is typically made from zirconia or acrylic-over-titanium, and sits permanently in the mouth. It is cleaned with a special floss threader and water flosser — not removed. For most patients coming from full dentures, the difference in comfort, confidence, and function is transformative.

Both solutions require two trips: the first for surgery and temporary bridge, the second (3–6 months later) for the final bridge.

All-on-4: The Design Logic

All-on-4 uses four implants per arch. Two are placed vertically at the front of the jaw, and two are placed at an angle — typically 30 to 45 degrees — at the rear of the arch.

The angling is the key innovation. By tilting the rear implants, the surgeon can:

• Maximise contact with available bone without needing to graft
• Avoid the maxillary sinuses in the upper jaw (where bone height is often limited)
• Avoid the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw
• Reach denser, higher-quality bone further forward in the arch

This makes All-on-4 particularly well-suited to patients with significant bone loss in the rear jaw — which is common in people who have been edentulous (toothless) for several years.

Phu Quoc pricing: from approximately $4,800 per arch, depending on materials and clinic.

All-on-6: The Design Logic

All-on-6 uses six implants per arch, all placed vertically (straight, not angled). The two additional implants are placed further back in the arch than in All-on-4.

The advantages:

• Better load distribution across more implant points
• Potentially greater long-term stability for the bridge, particularly under heavy biting forces
• Reduced risk of implant overloading in patients with strong bite force (bruxism)
• More conservative surgical technique — vertical placement is more straightforward than angled placement

The requirement: adequate bone height and density throughout the arch, including at the rear sites. If there is not enough bone at the rear for vertical implants, All-on-6 is not feasible without grafting first.

Phu Quoc pricing: from approximately $5,800 per arch, depending on materials and clinic.

Side-by-Side Comparison

The Honest Difference in Outcomes

Here is what the marketing often obscures: the long-term outcome difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6 is smaller than the pricing and promotion suggest, provided the correct solution is chosen for the correct patient.

A well-executed All-on-4 in a patient with appropriate bone loss and no contraindications performs very well over 10+ years. The evidence base is large — All-on-4 has been in use since the 1990s and has substantial long-term data.

All-on-6 is not automatically superior. Adding two more implants in a jaw that does not have adequate bone for them does not improve outcomes — it creates risk. The right procedure is the one that fits your anatomy, not the more expensive option.

What actually determines long-term success: the accuracy of the CBCT planning, the skill of the implant surgeon, the quality of the implant brand, and the patient’s hygiene and maintenance habits after the procedure.

How Your CBCT Scan Determines the Answer

The CBCT (cone beam CT) scan is the definitive planning tool for both procedures. It reveals:

• Bone height at the proposed implant sites (measured in millimetres)
• Bone density (quality) — not all bone is equally capable of supporting implants
• Sinus floor location (upper jaw) — critical for determining whether angling is necessary
• Nerve location (lower jaw) — the inferior alveolar nerve must be avoided
• Bone width — some patients have sufficient height but inadequate width

From the CBCT, your surgeon will determine whether you have bone sufficient for vertical rear implants (favouring All-on-6), whether angling is necessary to reach stable bone (pointing to All-on-4), or whether bone grafting is needed before either procedure is feasible.

Do not decide between All-on-4 and All-on-6 before seeing the CBCT results. A dentist who recommends one over the other without a CBCT is guessing.

Do You Need Bone Grafting First?

Both All-on-4 and All-on-6 may require bone grafting if bone loss is severe — All-on-4 less often, because its angled design can often work around areas of insufficient bone. All-on-6 more often, because vertical placement requires bone at the specific rear sites.

If grafting is needed first, add 3–6 months to the timeline before implant surgery can proceed. This is a significant commitment and should factor into your planning from the start. See the bone grafting page for what that process involves.

Patients who have worn full dentures for 5+ years are at higher risk of needing grafting, as dentures accelerate bone resorption over time.

Costs and What They Include

At Phu Quoc clinics including Tri Hao Dental (5.0 stars, 218 reviews), Phu Quoc Luxury Dental (5.0 stars, 54 reviews), and Vinmec (JCI-accredited), the quoted price should include:

• The implant posts (confirm the brand)
• The temporary bridge (worn during osseointegration)
• The final bridge (confirm the material — zirconia is the premium option)
• Surgery and anaesthetic
• Post-operative appointments during your stay

Ask explicitly whether the CBCT scan, extractions of remaining teeth, and any bone grafting are included or separately charged. These are common add-ons that can materially affect the total cost.

For comparison with your home country costs, see how much you can save with the dental savings calculator.

FAQ

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

Not categorically. All-on-6 offers more implant support points, which is advantageous in patients with good bone throughout the arch or heavy biting habits. All-on-4 is specifically designed for cases where posterior bone is limited — and in those cases, attempting All-on-6 without grafting would not be possible. The correct procedure is the one suited to your bone anatomy, as confirmed by CBCT.

How much more does All-on-6 cost in Phu Quoc?

Approximately $800–$1,200 more per arch than All-on-4 at most Phu Quoc clinics, as of mid-2026. For both arches, that difference compounds. Get itemised quotes for both options at your consultation, and ask the dentist to explain specifically why they recommend one over the other for your case.

How do I know which is right for me?

You cannot know before a CBCT scan. A digital panoramic X-ray (OPG) gives a useful first indication, but the CBCT provides the 3D bone mapping required for proper implant planning. This is why submitting X-rays for a pre-assessment before you fly is valuable — it gives the clinic a head start, but the CBCT in Phu Quoc gives the definitive answer.

Can I upgrade from All-on-4 to All-on-6 later?

Not straightforwardly. Adding two more implants to an existing All-on-4 bridge requires additional surgery, a new bridge, and additional osseointegration time. It is not an upgrade in the way swapping a phone model is. If you start with All-on-4 and it performs well, there is generally no clinical reason to add implants later. If you start with All-on-4 and an implant fails, the treatment plan changes at that point — but that is a complication management scenario, not an upgrade path.