Clinical and experimental studies related to immediate implantation have focused on the significance of the osseous defects and soft tissue status in the achievement of a predictable outcome. This article describes a new three-dimensional classification of the osseous defects around immediate implants and a new grading of the soft tissue. A simplified staging of the severity of horizontal and vertical defects is proposed. Factors affecting the degree of defect are discussed. (Implant Dent 1999;8: 54–60)