“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. The principles of osseointegration, the fundamentals of esthetics, and concerns regarding occlusion and function are elements that need to be addressed to achieve implantsupported crown success. In this report, the “Rules of Six” for effectively placing a simple single-tooth dental implant are described. These rules represent four diagnostic targets and a single therapeutic guideline useful in directing clinical success and preventing common complications.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Explain the functions of a single anterior dental implant

• Describe the components of the “Rules of Six” for successfully placing a singletooth implant

• Discuss anatomic situations that may reduce the mesiodistal dimension needed

About the Authors

Lyndon F. Cooper, DDS, PhD
​Stallings Distinguished Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Oliver C. Pin-Harry, DDS, MS
​Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Private Practice, Ontario, Canada