All-on-8 Dental Implants

When eight implants might be discussed

• No teeth remain in a jaw, or the remaining teeth cannot be saved because of extensive decay, root fractures or advanced gum disease.
• You cannot use, or do not want, a removable full denture.
• There is bone to support implants at the back as well as the front of the jaw, or the proposed bridge design calls for more support.
• Your general health allows surgery and healing.

These are clinical considerations. Research does not show that eight implants specifically should be chosen in these situations. The reason for the proposed number should be explained using your own CT scan.

When a fixed bridge may not suit you

More implants do not resolve the following issues. An implant-supported removable denture may be more suitable if:

• There is not enough vertical space for the bridge.
• The line where the bridge meets the gum would show when you smile.
• You need the flange of a removable denture to support your lip.
• You cannot clean under the bridge yourself every day.

Factors associated with risk

The figures below are from published studies, not from our own records. They are pooled results from observational studies. They show associations and do not establish cause and effect. They concern implant patients generally, rather than eight-implant treatment specifically.

• Smoking. Among people smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day, the risk of implant loss was about 2.5 times higher per implant and about 4 times higher per patient² than among non-smokers. Risk increased with the amount smoked. No risk-free number of cigarettes has been established.
• A history of gum disease. Across 14 prospective studies, the rate of implant loss during follow-up was about 1.75 times higher³. This compares rates of loss over time; it does not give your individual risk. Inflammation around implants accompanied by loss of supporting bone, called peri-implantitis, was about 3 times more common per patient³. These patients had received treatment for their gum disease. Active disease needs treatment before implant placement.
• Clenching and grinding. Across 27 studies, people with probable bruxism had about 2.2 times the odds of implant loss⁴. These studies did not test whether a night guard prevented implant loss.
• Diabetes. Results are inconsistent. Two of three reviews found no significant difference in implant loss: a review of nine studies in people with type 2 diabetes⁵ and an earlier review⁶. The third reported higher odds of implant loss⁷. The type 2 diabetes review made its conclusion conditional on maintaining strict oral hygiene. All three found more bone loss around implants in people with diabetes⁶.
• Bone-strengthening medicines, including bisphosphonates and denosumab. Risk depends on why the medicine is prescribed, its dose and how long it has been taken. Implants are often unsuitable with the high doses used in cancer treatment; the decision involves the oncology team. Osteoporosis doses are assessed separately. A main concern is medication-related death of jawbone tissue, called osteonecrosis. In a review of 21 studies, bisphosphonate use was associated with about 1.7 times the risk of loss per implant⁸. The risk of jaw osteonecrosis was about 3.5 times higher per patient⁸. There was no significant difference in implant loss when counted per patient. These figures concern bisphosphonates and cannot be applied to denosumab. The certainty of the evidence is very low. Tell your dentist about these medicines. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without consulting the prescriber.
• Radiotherapy to the head or neck. Implant loss is more common in irradiated bone. There is also a risk of a wound that does not heal and bone death, called osteoradionecrosis. Planning involves the oncology team.

When another step comes first

• Active infection, untreated gum disease or an uncontrolled general health condition: these need attention first.
• Limited bone: bone grafting or a sinus lift may be discussed. Zygomatic implants may also be considered when very little bone remains in the upper jaw.
• A jaw that is still growing: implant treatment is delayed until growth is complete.

Suitability is assessed through an examination, a three-dimensional CT scan and your medical history. An opinion based on photographs or an X-ray is preliminary; it is not a treatment plan.

What does the evidence show?

The figures below are from published studies, not from our own records.

• A 2026 review combining 55 studies examined four- and six-implant designs. At five years and beyond, about 98 in every 100 All-on-4 implants and about 97 to 98 in every 100 All-on-6 implants⁹ remained in place. The results did not consistently favour one design. The authors described similar outcomes and advised cautious interpretation.
• An umbrella review covering seven reviews found that using four or six implants did not significantly affect implant or bridge survival¹.
• A 2012 review of nine studies asked what the optimal implant number was. The fixed full-arch bridges it examined were supported by four to six implants¹⁰. It remained unclear whether three implants could give similar results. The review also found no data establishing how many replacement teeth each implant should support.
• A consensus report from the International Team for Implantology, or ITI, states that the literature supports different implant numbers for fixed full-arch bridges¹¹.

These comparisons largely draw on pooled results from different patient groups. They do not prove that one design is superior or equivalent to another.

What do we know about eight implants?

The reviews available to us examine four and six implants. We have found no good research comparing eight implants with four or six. We therefore cannot answer these questions from the evidence: does using eight implants make the bridge last longer, distribute chewing forces better or reduce bone loss? If a proposed plan makes these claims, ask for the source.

Practical considerations with more implants

The points below are clinical reasoning, rather than measured advantages.

• If an implant is lost. Having more implants might make it more possible to retain the bridge. The consequences of losing an implant in a four- or six-implant design were not measured⁹. We also have no measurement for an eight-implant design.
• More surgical sites. Each implant has its own surgical site. Placing implants at the back of the jaw requires bone there. If bone is limited, a graft or sinus lift may be needed, extending treatment.
• Bridge design. A bridge on eight implants may be made as one piece or divided into two or three sections. Ask which design is proposed and why.

What informs the number?

• The amount and location of bone
• Whether it is the upper or lower jaw, and the shape of the jaw
• The teeth or replacement teeth in the opposing jaw
• Clenching habits
• The length and design of the bridge

Ask your dentist to explain the proposed implant number using your own CT scan.

• Having no treatment for now. Missing all the teeth affects chewing and eating, and jawbone loss continues. You can still ask for time to consider your decision.
• Keeping the remaining teeth. If teeth can be saved, gum treatment, root canal treatment, individual implants or a bridge may involve less intervention. Tooth extraction cannot be undone.
• A removable full denture. This needs no surgery and is a reversible option. Retention, speech and chewing may remain limited.
• An implant-supported removable denture. In the lower jaw, this often needs fewer implants than a fixed bridge. Retention is substantially improved compared with a conventional full denture. You remove the denture yourself to clean it.
• A fixed bridge on four or six implants. These are explained on the All-on-4 and All-on-6 pages.
• A fixed bridge on eight implants. The bridge is attached to the implants and only a dentist removes it. It requires surgery, regular care and check-ups.

Not every option is possible for every patient. If only one option is offered, ask why the others were ruled out.

The stages below describe the usual process at our clinic in Antalya. Timing varies between patients. Your written plan sets out the number of appointments and the intervals between them. Conscious sedation does not put you to sleep: verbal communication continues throughout treatment¹².

Risks

The rates below are from published studies, not from our own records. Most concern full-arch bridges on four or six implants. We do not have separate rates for eight implants.

• Implant loss. In four- and six-implant designs, about 2 to 2.5% of implants were lost at five years and beyond⁹. Smoking, a history of gum disease, clenching and some medicines are associated with this risk, as discussed above. Replacing a lost implant and keeping the existing bridge are not always possible. Further surgery, a new bridge or a removable denture may be needed.
• Steps that cannot be undone. Extracting the remaining teeth and removing bone, if needed, are irreversible. If bone reduction is proposed, ask about its extent, purpose and alternatives before surgery.
• Inflammation around implants. Peri-implant mucositis is inflammation of the soft tissue around an implant. Peri-implantitis also involves loss of supporting bone. Treatment may require surgery, and the implant may be lost if the condition progresses. Reviews of full-arch bridges reported peri-implantitis rates of 4 to 18%¹. This range is reported as given in the review summary. A review of 57 studies in general implant patients found peri-implantitis in about 20% of patients¹³. Rates vary with the definition and length of follow-up. Treatment is easier at an early stage, which is why check-ups form part of treatment.
• Bone loss. Reported average bone loss around implants at five years was 1.28 mm for All-on-4 and 0.94 mm for All-on-6⁹. Implants do not eliminate bone loss. No bone-loss figure for eight-implant bridges is given here; the reviews this page draws on examine four and six implants.
• Technical problems with the bridge. Reviews reported screw loosening in 5 to 15% and framework fracture in less than 5%¹. Chipping of porcelain-veneered zirconia was reported at 15 to 35%¹. These rates are given as reported in the review summaries and cover 5 to 15 years of follow-up¹. Fewer technical problems were reported with monolithic zirconia bridges, which have no porcelain veneer, and with screw-retained designs¹. These problems can often be repaired. A bridge may need repair or replacement over time.
• Surgical risks. Bleeding, swelling, bruising and infection can occur. In the lower jaw, proximity to the nerve canal can lead to temporary, and rarely lasting, numbness of the lip and chin. In the upper jaw, proximity to the sinus can lead to a tear in the sinus membrane, sinusitis or an opening between the mouth and sinus. A CT scan helps reduce these risks but cannot eliminate them. Each implant has its own surgical site.
• Immediate loading. Fitting a temporary fixed bridge within a few days can give good results in selected patients, but findings conflict. A review of 39 randomised trials reported slightly lower implant survival with immediate loading¹⁴. A Cochrane review found no clear difference during follow-up of up to one year¹⁵. These findings are not specific to eight implants. A fixed bridge within a few days cannot be promised to everyone.
• Speech and adjustment. Speech and chewing habits change during the first weeks. The area where the bridge meets the gum is the hardest part to clean.

Benefits

• A fixed bridge may improve retention and comfort when chewing, while leaving the palate uncovered. It does not feel, function or affect speech exactly like natural teeth. Results vary with the person and design.
• Implants may help preserve the bone around them, but they do not completely prevent bone loss. The reviews available to us do not directly compare this with a removable full denture.
• A dentist can remove the bridge to gain access for cleaning or repair.
• An additional benefit of eight implants over four or six has not been measured in the evidence described above.

The first few days

• Swelling and bruising usually increase over the first two or three days, then ease. Use cold packs and take the medicines prescribed for you.
• Choose soft, lukewarm food during the first weeks. While the temporary bridge is in place and integration is still underway, avoid chewing hard or sticky food.
• Continue cleaning your mouth. Clean the surgical areas as demonstrated by the dental team.
• If you have had a sinus lift, follow the written instructions provided.
• Smoking impairs healing and is associated with implant loss². Avoid smoking at least throughout healing.

If you have had sedation

Do not drive or operate machinery for the period specified by the sedation team. Whether you need an escort depends on the method. A published professional standard for conscious sedation in dentistry requires a responsible adult escort for adult patients receiving any method other than inhalation sedation¹². The same standard says treatment under sedation should not proceed if a required escort cannot be arranged, and that fasting instructions should be given verbally and in writing¹². Ask whether the method planned for you requires an escort.

Flying after surgery

A 2023 non-systematic review recommends waiting at least 72 hours after implant placement before flying¹⁶. After a sinus lift, it recommends at least two weeks, preferably six¹⁶. The authors note that research is limited and mainly based on military aviation data. These intervals apply only where there is no pain, swelling or bleeding at the treatment site. If you need to fly, consult your treating dentist first.

Daily care

• Clean under the bridge and between the implants every day using bridge floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser. Your dentist will demonstrate which method suits your bridge.
• Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Pay particular attention to the line where the bridge meets the gum.
• If you clench your teeth, a night guard may be advised to protect the bridge from clenching forces. The studies discussed above did not establish that a guard prevents implant loss⁴.
• Check-ups. When the bridge is fitted, an X-ray and probing measurements are taken as a baseline¹⁷. These records allow later changes to be compared reliably. Your check-up interval depends on your risk. Keep these appointments even if you have no symptoms.

The rates below are from published studies, not from our own records. They do not guarantee your outcome. They all concern bridges supported by four to six implants. We do not have a separate rate for eight implants. Your outcome depends on your bone, habits and care.

• Implants. In the review of 55 studies, about 97 to 98% of implants remained in place at five years and beyond⁹. This figure counts individual implants.
• The bridge. In the umbrella review covering seven reviews, about 90 to 97% of bridges remained in use over 5 to 15 years of follow-up¹. In the 2012 review of full-arch bridges on four to six implants, about 97 in every 100 upper-jaw bridges remained in use after five years and 95 after ten years¹⁰. For the lower jaw, about 98 in every 100 remained in use after five years and 96 after ten years¹⁰.
• Maintenance. Remaining in use does not mean no repairs were needed. Screws may need tightening and porcelain may need repairing over the years. A bridge may eventually need repair or replacement. Ask whether these are included in your plan before treatment starts.
• Follow-up extends to fifteen years. The reviews cited here report follow-up of no more than fifteen years¹. They do not support predictions beyond that period.

Ask for the following in writing and read it before deciding.

• Who will treat you? We provide the name of the dentist who will place your implants and fit your bridge in writing. Under Turkey's Patient Rights Regulation, you can ask about the identity, role and title of the clinicians and other staff treating you¹⁸. You can also request another dentist's opinion.
• The plan. Your written plan sets out the number and positions of the implants and why eight have been proposed. It explains whether the bridge will be one piece or divided into sections, and why. It also specifies any grafting or sinus lift, the temporary bridge, the definitive bridge material and the alternatives considered. What the plan includes and excludes should be written down.
• Information and consent. The Patient Rights Regulation lists what should be explained before treatment. This includes who will provide treatment, where and how it will be carried out, its estimated duration, alternatives and their benefits and risks, and possible complications¹⁸. Private oral and dental healthcare facilities must obtain a consent form for each intervention¹⁹. The form is signed in duplicate and one copy is given to you¹⁸. Ask for your copy.
• Complications and replacement. Before treatment, we provide written information about what happens if a complication occurs. This also sets out the conditions that apply if an implant or bridge needs replacing, including responsibility for any additional treatment.
• Your records. You can inspect your patient file and obtain a copy¹⁸. At the end of treatment, your plan, X-rays, CT scan and baseline measurements are provided in a form another dentist can use.

You can say no or ask to stop at any stage. Once teeth have been extracted or bone has been reduced, those steps cannot be undone.

Contact us after surgery, or while you have your bridge, if you notice:

• Pain or swelling that increases after the third day, or bleeding that does not stop
• A high temperature or facial swelling that keeps increasing
• Numbness of the lip, tongue or chin lasting longer than your dentist advised
• Movement of the bridge, a sensation of a loose screw, a crack or a broken piece
• Bleeding, an unpleasant smell, pus or gum recession around an implant
• Pain when biting, or a feeling that the bite is too high
• A runny or blocked nose, or sinus pain, after upper-jaw treatment

If you cannot reach us promptly, contact another dentist. Do not wait for our reply.

Emergencies. The following symptoms need urgent medical help²⁰. Do not wait for a dental appointment; go to a hospital emergency department or call 112:

• Difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
• Major swelling inside the mouth, or difficulty opening your mouth
• Swelling or pain around the eye, or sudden changes in your sight
• Swelling of the neck²¹

The main factors that shape your treatment plan are:

• The number of teeth to be extracted and any bone reduction
• The number of implants and their connecting components
• Whether grafting or a sinus lift is needed
• The temporary bridge
• The definitive bridge material and whether it is one piece or divided into sections
• Sedation, the number of appointments and the check-up schedule
• The conditions for replacement if a complication occurs

Ask for a written account of what your plan includes. When comparing plans, look at the implant number and bridge design, then compare what each plan covers item by item.