Oral & maxillofacial2 min read

The types of dental implant

Most implants are one type. The alternatives exist for specific situations, usually where bone is limited.

Stone Surgical ArtsOriginally published September 21, 2024Updated September 9, 2026

Perspective from Stone Surgical Arts

Implant treatment is often presented as a choice between types. In practice one type covers the great majority of cases, and the others answer particular problems.

A thought to keep

The type follows from the bone available. It is a consequence of the assessment rather than a preference.

Implants placed in the bone

The standard approach places a fixture directly into the jawbone, where bone grows against it over a period of healing before anything is loaded onto it. This accounts for most implant treatment.

It requires sufficient bone in the right position, which is what the assessment and imaging establish.

When there is not enough bone

Bone can be lost after teeth are removed, through gum disease or through injury. Where volume is insufficient, grafting to rebuild the site is the common solution, adding a stage and time to the plan.

Alternative designs exist for situations where grafting is not appropriate, including implants that rest on the bone rather than within it and longer implants anchored in the cheekbone for the upper jaw. These are used in specific circumstances and by surgeons experienced with them.

What sits on top

A single implant may carry one crown. Several implants can support a bridge, or retain a denture that clips into place, which is often how a full arch is restored without an implant for every tooth.

The restoration affects how the result is cleaned and maintained, so it is worth discussing alongside the surgery rather than afterwards.

How the choice is made

The decision follows from imaging, the health of the gums, general health and what is being replaced. It is not a menu to choose from in advance.

Ask why the proposed approach suits your case, what the alternatives were, and what the plan is if the bone turns out to be different from what the scan suggested.

Adapted from the Stone Surgical Arts archive and updated for clarity. This article offers general information; an individual consultation is needed for treatment advice.