Adult friend went to costa rica having 2 front teeth extracted. temporary implants installed. are temps ever used when there is enough remaining bone?

Yes: Yes, if there is the proper amount of bone and supporting tissue around the 2 front teeth being extracted it is ideal to atrumatically extract the 2 teeth, place the implants and then you "may" be able to place temp crowns on those implants at the time of placements or they will use a flipper partial over the extraction site.

Of course: The temporary crowns placed (same appointment) for social and cosmetic purposes only.

Confusing...: What exactly are temporary implants? If you mean "are temporaries ever placed on immediately placed implants" the answer is yes, sometimes they are.