Implants come in several types, and the right one depends on how many teeth are missing and how much bone you have. This guide compares the main designs.
Key points
- Implants are described by the number of teeth they replace: a single crown on one post, an implant bridge, full-arch fixed teeth or an implant-held denture.
- They can also be described by timing (immediate or delayed placement) and by position (endosteal, subperiosteal or zygomatic).
- Most people are offered a standard post in the jawbone, and the unusual designs are kept for particular cases.
- Your bone, gums, health, bite and preference decide which type suits you, and a 3D scan shows the bone.
- All implants need healing time, careful cleaning and regular check-ups.
Patients often ask which type of implant is "the right one". The honest answer is that there are several designs, each made for a different situation, and your dentist chooses after an examination and a 3D scan. Here are the main types, in plain language, with what each needs from your mouth.
Single-tooth implants
One post carries one crown. This is the simplest design and suits a gap where the bone is sound and the neighbouring teeth are healthy. A big advantage is that the teeth on either side are not shaped. In a review of 26 studies, 96.8 percent of implants supporting single crowns were still in place after five years.3 Our page on a single tooth implant describes the stages.
Implant bridges
Where several teeth in a row are missing, two or more posts can carry a bridge of joined crowns, so the false teeth are carried by the implants and not by the teeth on either side.1 A review of 32 studies found 95.6 percent of implants supporting bridges still in place after five years and 93.1 percent after ten.4 The same review found that the tooth-coloured covering chipped in 13.5 percent of bridges and a screw or connector loosened in 5.3 percent, so check-ups matter. Read more on implant bridges.
Full-arch fixed teeth
When most or all teeth in a jaw are missing, a full set of fixed teeth can be carried by a small number of posts. Two well-known designs are all-on-4 and all-on-6, named for the number of posts. All-on-4 uses four posts per jaw, with the back two usually tilted so that they can use the bone that is available.5 A review of 24 studies describes it as a predictable way to treat a jaw with little bone in patients who prefer to avoid bone grafts, although its authors say the studies were small and follow-up was short.5 The design with more posts may suit a jaw where the scan shows enough bone, and in the lower jaw, fixed sets on five or more implants lost fewer implants than sets on four in one large review, while another review found no link between the number and survival.6 See our guides to all-on-4 and all-on-6.
Implant-held dentures
A denture can be held by implants so that it is steadier than a conventional one. It clips onto the posts and you take it out to clean it, and the clips can wear out.1 This option often involves less surgery than a fixed full arch and suits people who prefer a removable set. Your dentist can explain whether it suits your jaw.
Immediate and delayed placement
Another way to describe implants is by timing. Immediate implants are placed in the socket of a tooth at the same visit as its removal, which may reduce the number of operations.1 Delayed implants are placed after the socket has healed. Both still need three to six months for the bone to bond before the final tooth is fitted.1 See our page on immediate implants for the conditions that suit it.
By position in the bone
Some articles describe types by where the post sits.
- Endosteal implants are placed in the jawbone. They are by far the most common and are the type described in most research.
- Subperiosteal implants rest on the bone under the gum and are used in very few cases, usually where bone is too thin and other options are not suitable.
- Zygomatic implants are long posts anchored in the cheekbone, used in some cases of severe bone loss in the upper jaw.
These last two are unusual and are chosen only by dentists who are trained in them for particular cases. Our article on three types of dental implants looks at them more closely.
What decides which type suits you
- The number and position of missing teeth. A single gap and a whole jaw call for different designs.
- Your bone. A 3D scan shows the height and width of the bone. If there is not enough, a graft may be advised, which adds at least four months.1
- Your gums and general health. Untreated gum disease must be treated first, smoking lowers the chance of success and some conditions affect healing.12
- Your bite. Grinding can overload implants.1
- Your preference. Some people prefer a fixed set. Others prefer to take teeth out to clean.
What to expect from any type
All implants need healing time, careful cleaning and regular check-ups. NHS guidance says the whole process could take 6 to 12 months.2 Read the guide to implant parts and materials to understand what each part does.
How to compare two treatment plans fairly
If you have two plans, compare like with like. Look at:
- What is being replaced: which teeth, and how many.
- How many posts, and why that number.
- What the final teeth are: single crowns, a bridge, a fixed set or a denture, and the material.
- Whether a graft or sinus lift is included, and how much time it adds.
- The timeline: the number of visits and the healing period.1
- What you will wear during healing.
- The follow-up plan: who, where and how often.
- What is in writing, including the records you will receive.
A plan that looks different from another may simply describe more of these items. Ask each dentist to explain any difference.
Fixed or clip-on: which routine suits you
Fixed teeth stay in the mouth, and you clean beneath them with interdental brushes or a water flosser. Clip-on teeth come out, so you clean the teeth and posts separately, and the clips can wear.1
Think about your daily life. Do you prefer to take teeth out at night, or to have them fixed? Can you manage cleaning beneath a fixed set every day? Do you travel often, and could you deal with a worn clip? Your dentist can describe the routine for each design, and you can decide which fits.
What the scan decides
A 3D scan shows the bone height and width, the position of nerves and sinuses and the quality of the bone. It decides whether a standard post is possible, whether a graft or sinus lift is needed and where the posts should go. In some cases it also shows that a different design, such as a denture on implants, would be more suitable than the first plan.4
Ask to see the scan and have the dentist point out the key features. Seeing your own bone makes the reasons for the plan much clearer.
Myths and facts about implant types
Myth: one type suits everyone. The right design depends on how many teeth are missing and on your bone, which a 3D scan shows.
Myth: more posts always means a stronger result. The research on how many posts a full arch needs is mixed, and your dentist plans from your bone and your bite.6
Fact: most people are offered a standard post in the jawbone. The unusual designs are kept for particular situations.
Comparing designs at a glance
| Design | Replaces | A key point |
|---|---|---|
| Single crown on one post | One tooth | Neighbouring teeth are not touched3 |
| Implant bridge | Several teeth | Fewer posts than teeth1 |
| Full-arch fixed teeth | A whole jaw | Usually four to six or more posts |
| Implant-held denture | A whole jaw | Removable; clips can wear1 |
Frequently asked questions
Which type of implant is the most common?
Endosteal implants, which are placed in the jawbone, are by far the most common and the most widely studied.
Do all-on-4 implants suit everyone?
No. They are described as a way to treat a jaw with limited bone in patients who prefer to avoid bone grafts, but your dentist decides after an examination and a 3D scan.5
Is a fixed set better than a removable one?
Neither is better for everyone. Fixed teeth feel more natural but need careful cleaning underneath, and removable teeth are easier to clean but the clips can wear.1
Can I have different types in different parts of my mouth?
Yes. A single crown in one place and a bridge in another is common, and your dentist plans each area separately.
Can I mix designs in one mouth?
Yes. Each area is planned on its own merits.
Which design is quickest?
Timing depends on your bone and on whether a graft is needed. Every design needs about three to six months for the bone to bond.1
Which type suits a full set of teeth?
It depends on your bone, gums, bite and preference. Fixed teeth on several posts and implant-held dentures are the usual choices, and your dentist can explain what each involves for you.
Can I change from one type to another later?
Sometimes. For example, a denture held by implants can often be changed to a fixed set if there are enough posts and bone, but it depends on the original plan.
About the author
Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics. BDS (2002), KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. MDS in Orthodontics (2006), SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad. His thesis work won a national research award in 2005, and he holds a certification in aesthetic dentistry. He sees patients at Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1, South Delhi. Read the full profile of Dr Anupam Sinha.
Sources
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Dental implants in restorative dentistry (patient information). https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/dental-implants-in-restorative-dentistry/
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. Dental implants (patient information). https://guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/dental-implants
- Jung RE, Pjetursson BE, Glauser R, Zembic A, Zwahlen M, Lang NP. A systematic review of the 5-year survival and complication rates of implant-supported single crowns. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2008;19(2):119-130. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18067597/
- Pjetursson BE, Thoma D, Jung R, Zwahlen M, Zembic A. A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) after a mean observation period of at least 5 years. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2012;23(Suppl 6):22-38. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23062125/
- Soto-Penaloza D, Zaragozi-Alonso R, Penarrocha-Diago M, Penarrocha-Diago M. The all-on-four treatment concept: systematic review. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 2017;9(3):e474-e488. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28298995/
- Kern JS, Kern T, Wolfart S, Heussen N. A systematic review and meta-analysis of removable and fixed implant-supported prostheses in edentulous jaws: post-loading implant loss. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2016;27(2):174-195. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25664612/
Medically reviewed by Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics, on . General information for patients from Orion Dental Clinic, last updated 23 October 2026. It is not advice for one person, so ask a dentist what suits you. To report an error, contact us.