Abstract: A dental implant comprising an endosteal implant, having a bifurcated core therein, adapted for receiving a prosthetic head. The abutting surfaces of the endosteal implant and the prosthetic head preferably have equal outer diameters. The prosthetic head has a bifurcated shank thereon. The bifurcated core and bifurcated shank cooperate to secure the prosthetic head to the endosteal implant only at an inner segment of the bifurcated core, so as to preserve an annular space between the outer shank segment and the outer portion of the bifurcated core in the area of the alveolar bone. By means of this specialized attachment of the prosthetic head to the endosteal implant, stresses applied to the prosthetic head are translated directly to an inner segment of the endosteal implant, and thus are not applied to the alveolar ridge. Cratering of the alveolar bone is minimized as a result.