Twenty-nine patients(41 implants) whose single missing tooth in the maxillary anterior region had been replaced by single implant-supported crown participated for the study and various variables of soft tissue conditions, dimensions and crown dimensions were measured around the single implant-supported crowns at clinical examination and from study models and slides.

The results showed that the soft tissue conditions around the single implant-supported crowns were similar to those around implants used for partially or totolly edentulous patients. Except for the high frequency of bleeding on probing, all other parameters revealed healthy conditions. The buccal sites of the crown had a shallow pocket comparing with other sites. At all sites of the crown, similar status of little inflammation was found. Mesial sites and central-incisor positioned implant-supported crowns had lower contact point position than distal sites and lateral-incisor positioned crowns, respectively. Mucositis index, probing depth and contact point position were significantly correlated with papillae index(p < 0.05). More inflammation and lower contact point position were found at the implant-supported crown with no interdental space than that with interdental space. Patients showed high esthetic satisfaction regardless of interdental space presence.

The result indicated that, despite of their submucosal crown margins, single implant-supported crowns have soft tissue conditions as good as other implants used for the treatment of the different types of edentulism and a clinician can manipulate interdental papilla height by modifying crown shapes within the limits of not violating total esthetics.