An index to assess the size of the interproximal gingival papillae adjacent to single implant restorations was described and preliminary tested in a pilot study of retrospective material comprising 25 crowns in 21 patients. The result indicated a significant spontaneous regeneration of papillae (P .001) after a mean follow-up period of 1.5 years. Based on these results, the general conclusion was made that the proposed index allows scientific assessment of soft tissue contour adjacent to single-implant restorations. The results also indicated that soft tissue changed in a systematic manner during the ti me period between insertion of the crowns and follow-up 1 to 3 years later.