Types of dental implants differ from one another in where they are placed, the material they are made from, their shape and size, and when the prosthesis is fitted (the loading protocol). The most widely used type in clinical practice today is the endosteal (in-the-bone) implant — a screw-shaped titanium or zirconia post placed inside the jawbone. There is no universal “best type of implant”: which one suits you depends on the volume and quality of your bone, the position of the missing tooth, your general health and your aesthetic expectations, and the dentist determines this after an examination and a 3D scan. In this guide we compare the types of implants in plain language.
What makes the types of implants different?
There are four main criteria for classifying implants:
- Placement site — whether the implant sits inside the bone, on the bone, or in the cheekbone.
- Material — most often titanium and its alloys, and also zirconia as a metal-free alternative.
- Shape and size — standard screw-shaped implants, short implants and narrow-diameter (mini) implants.
- Loading protocol — fitting the prosthesis immediately after the implant, early, or after osseointegration is complete.
Types of implants by placement site
This is the main classification, and it covers three types:
- Endosteal (in-the-bone) implant — placed inside the jawbone and the most widely used type today. It is usually screw-shaped and joins the bone through osseointegration.
- Subperiosteal implant — a framework seated not inside the bone but on the bone, under the gum. It may be considered in selected cases with very little bone volume; it is rarely used in modern practice.
- Zygomatic implant — a long implant anchored in the cheek (zygomatic) bone. It is considered as an alternative in cases of severe bone loss in the upper jaw and is a surgical approach that requires particular experience.
Three types by placement site
Endosteal
Inside the jawbone. The most widely used type.
Subperiosteal
On the bone, under the gum. Rare in modern practice.
Zygomatic
In the cheekbone. A special approach in severe bone loss.
By material: titanium and zirconia implants
Titanium implants have for decades been the most widely used option in dental implantology: titanium is light, strong and known for its ability to join with bone (osseointegration); it is also the material with the broadest base of long-term clinical data. Zirconia implants are the metal-free alternative; thanks to their white colour they can offer an aesthetic advantage in the front region where the gum is thin, and they may be discussed in cases where sensitivity to titanium is a concern. Research on both materials continues. Which material suits your case — taking into account the position of the tooth, the load, the gum type and the state of the bone — is chosen by the dentist.
Types of implants by shape and size
Endosteal implants themselves also differ in shape and size:
- Standard screw-shaped implant — the most widely used shape; it has a thread structure that increases the contact area with the bone.
- Cylindrical implant — cylinder-shaped, with no thread or a shallow thread; used less often in modern systems.
- Short implant — in selected cases it can be used as an alternative to bone augmentation surgery in areas where bone height is limited.
- Narrow-diameter and mini implants — used under certain indications in narrow bone areas or to stabilise a removable denture; their indications are more limited compared with standard implants.
Which type of implant should you choose?
The choice starts with an examination, not with advertising. The dentist assesses the volume and quality of the jawbone, usually with a 3D scan (CBCT), and takes into account the position of the missing tooth and the bite, the state of the gums, your general health and risk factors such as smoking, if present. After that it is planned which type, material and size are suitable, whether bone augmentation (a graft or a sinus lift) is needed, and when the prosthesis will be fitted. Immediate loading — that is, fitting the prosthesis within a short time — is possible only in suitable cases where primary stability is sufficient, and it is not guaranteed for every patient. It is not correct to say that one type is universally superior to another; the right choice is the one that best suits your clinical situation.
For a consultation on the types of dental implants, which one suits you and your treatment plan in Baku, contact Dr. Bakhtiyar Aliyev.
This article is for general information only and does not replace individual medical advice or examination. Consultation with a dentist is recommended for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.