The aim of this study was to make an inventory of clinical studies on single-tooth restorations supported by implants using a systematic review procedure and to aggregate overall survival results. Papers referring to single tooth implants were located by a MEDLINE search 1990 to April 1998. 332 references were found, and they were subjected to a systematic review procedure. In three steps inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to identify papers that represented: good scientific practice (GSP), reported results of all patients, implants and crowns for more than 2 years, and had sufficient data to generate life-table analyses. The outcomes were implant failure and crown complication. Nine studies survived. These data showed an overall mean GSP of 0.37 with a predicted 4 year implant survival of 97% (n = 459), and an uncomplicated crown maintenance of 83% (n = 240). Single tooth implants show an acceptable short-term survival of 4 years, but crown complications are common.