"Rules of Six"--diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for single-tooth implant success

Replacing a single anterior tooth with an implant requires meeting a number of interdependent challenges, including biologic, functional, and esthetic features of success. The principles of osseointegration, the fundamentals of esthetics, and concerns regarding occlusion and function are elements that need to be addressed to achieve implant-supported crown success. In this report, the "Rules of Six" for effectively placing a single-tooth dental implant are described. These rules represent diagnostic targets and a single therapeutic guideline useful in directing clinical success and preventing common complications.