What determines the type of element that an atom makes?

Only the number of protons determine the type of atom. Elements can have more or less neutrons and electrons and still be the same general type of element.

The number of protons, neutrons and electrons an atom has determines what element it is. Hydrogen, for example, has one proton, no neutrons and one electron; the element sulfur has 16 protons, 16 neutrons and 16 electrons.