Types of Dental Implants: Which One Is Right for You?
There are several types of dental implants, and the right one depends on how many teeth you are missing, how much jawbone you have, and whether you want teeth that stay in or snap out. Most people end up with an endosteal implant, a titanium post in the jawbone, topped with a crown, a bridge, or a full set of teeth.
Quick answer
Placement: endosteal (in the jawbone, by far the most common), subperiosteal (on top of the bone, rarely used today), and zygomatic (anchored in the cheekbone for severe upper bone loss).
What it holds: a single crown, an implant bridge, a snap-in implant denture, or a fixed full-arch bridge such as All-on-4.
Size and material: standard or mini implants, made of titanium or zirconia.
Types of Dental Implants at a Glance
In short, this comparison covers the options most patients hear about during a consultation:
| Type | Best for | Fixed or removable | Typical number of implants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single implant + crown | One missing tooth | Fixed | 1 |
| Implant-supported bridge | Two to four teeth in a row | Fixed | 2 or more |
| Implant-retained overdenture | Loose dentures; a full arch on a budget | Removable (snaps in) | 2 to 4 per arch |
| All-on-4 / full-arch bridge | All teeth in one arch | Fixed | 4 to 6 per arch |
| Mini implants | Narrow bone; stabilizing a lower denture | Usually removable | 4 or more |
| Zygomatic implants | Severe upper jaw bone loss | Fixed | 2 to 4, plus others |
Still, the numbers are typical ranges, not rules. For example, Cleveland Clinic notes that a full arch usually uses four to six implants.
Types of Dental Implants by Placement
Endosteal implants. An endosteal implant is a screw-shaped post, usually titanium, placed inside the jawbone. Then, over the next few months, the bone grows tightly around it, a process called osseointegration. Because it acts like a tooth root, it is the foundation for almost every modern implant treatment.
Subperiosteal implants. In comparison, this older design is a metal frame that sits under the gums but on top of the bone. Originally, it was created for people who did not have enough bone for a post. Today, bone grafting and angled implants solve most of those cases, so subperiosteal implants are rare.
Zygomatic implants. Finally, these are extra-long implants anchored in the cheekbone instead of the upper jaw. In general, they are an option when the upper jaw has lost too much bone for regular implants and grafting is not a good fit. Research reviews describe them as a specialized treatment for this situation (Int J Implant Dent, 2023).
Implant Types by What They Replace
For most patients, this is the choice that matters most, since it decides how your new teeth look and feel every day.
Single-tooth implant. One implant holds one crown. Because of that, nothing is done to the neighboring teeth, which is a big advantage over a traditional bridge. Learn more on our dental implants in Lauderhill page.
Implant-supported bridge. When several teeth in a row are missing, two implants can hold a bridge of three or four teeth. As a result, you need fewer implants than teeth.
Implant-retained overdenture. A denture snaps onto two to four implants, so it stops slipping when you talk or eat. However, you still take it out at night to clean it. See our page on implant-retained overdentures.
All-on-4 full-arch bridge. In this case, a complete arch of fixed teeth rests on four implants, with the back two angled to use the bone you have. In most cases, a temporary set of teeth is attached the same day. Our All-on-4 dental implants page explains the process, and this article answers whether All-on-4 teeth look fake.
Implant Types by Size and Material
Standard vs. mini implants. First, standard implants are roughly 3.5 to 6 mm wide. Mini implants are narrower, under about 3 mm, so they can fit in thin bone. A 2025 meta-analysis found mini implants performed well for holding overdentures (Clin Oral Investig). However, they are not the usual choice for replacing a single back tooth that takes heavy chewing force.
Titanium vs. zirconia. Most implants are titanium, which has the longest track record. By contrast, zirconia is a white, metal-free ceramic. It can be a good fit for patients who want to avoid metal, although it has less long-term data.
Immediate vs. delayed loading. Sometimes the dentist attaches teeth the same day the implant goes in, often called “teeth in a day.” In other cases, the implant heals for three to nine months first. Ultimately, the choice depends on how stable the implant is at placement.
How Dentists Choose the Right Type of Dental Implant
Generally, at our Lauderhill office, the decision comes down to a few questions we answer together at your consultation:
- How many teeth are missing, and are they next to each other?
- How much bone is there? A 3D scan shows the height and width of your jawbone.
- Fixed or removable? Some people want teeth that never come out; others prefer easier cleaning or a lower cost.
- Your health. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and active gum disease can lower the success rate, so we address those first.
- Budget and timeline. An overdenture usually costs less than a fixed full-arch bridge, while grafting adds time.
Overall, whichever type you choose, implants have a strong record. A systematic review found about 93% to 96% of implants were still in place after 10 years (Howe et al., 2019). And if an implant ever does fail, it can be removed and often replaced. Related reading: which dental implants last the longest.
Questions
Types of Dental Implants: FAQs
What is the most common type of dental implant?
The endosteal implant, a small titanium post placed directly into the jawbone. Almost all single-tooth implants, implant bridges, and All-on-4 cases use endosteal implants.
What are the 4 main types of dental implants?
Most dentists group them by how the teeth attach: a single implant with a crown, an implant-supported bridge, a removable implant-retained denture, and a fixed full-arch bridge such as All-on-4. By placement, the main types are endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic implants.
Which type of dental implant lasts the longest?
Endosteal implants have the most long-term research. A 2019 systematic review estimated that 93% to 96% of implants are still in place after 10 years. The crown or denture on top usually needs replacing sooner than the implant itself.
Are mini dental implants as good as regular implants?
They serve a different purpose. Mini implants are thinner, so they can work in narrow bone, most often to hold a lower denture in place. For chewing forces on a single back tooth, a standard implant is usually the stronger choice.
Titanium or zirconia: which implant material is better?
Titanium has decades of research and is the standard. Zirconia is a metal-free ceramic option that some patients prefer. Both are considered safe, so your dentist will recommend one based on your bone, bite, and preferences.
Can I get implants if I have bone loss?
Often, yes. Options include bone grafting, angled implants like All-on-4 that make use of existing bone, or zygomatic implants for severe upper jaw bone loss. A 3D scan shows which choice fits your case.
Not Sure Which Implant You Need?
Book a consultation at Luxe Dental in Lauderhill. We will scan your jaw, explain which types of dental implants fit your case, and give you clear pricing before you decide.
Luxe Dental · 5280 N University Dr, Lauderhill, FL 33351
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. Dental implants. (link)
- Howe MS, Keys W, Richards D. Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: a systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis. J Dent. 2019. (link)
- Indications for zygomatic implants: a systematic review. Int J Implant Dent. 2023. (link)
- Clinical and radiographic outcomes of mini-implant-retained overdentures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2025. (link)
Read next
- Can Dental Implants Be Removed?What happens if an implant fails, and how a dentist takes one out.
- All-on-4 Dental Implants: Why They Are Worth ItHow a full arch on four implants compares with replacing teeth one at a time.
- Dental Implant AftercareThe daily routine that keeps an implant and the bone around it healthy.