Aim: This study evaluated the efficacy of replacing single missing teeth in the posterior quadrants of the maxilla and/or mandible with an implant-supported dental prosthesis. Material and methods: Three scientific literature databases - Medline (Pubmed), Ovid Medline and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) - were used to perform a search of publications over a period from 1985 to 2014. One hundred and forty one (141) articles were reviewed; 36 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Results: The survival rates, success rates and mean bone loss for immediate implant placement were 96.9%, 100% and 0.85 mm, respectively. The survival rates, success rates and mean bone loss for delayed implant placement were 96.8%, 94.1% and 0.55 mm respectively. The survival rate, success rate and the mean bone loss in studies comparing immediate versus delayed implant placement showed 96.8% and 96.3%, 85.8% and 93.3%, and 0.57 ± 0.57 mm and 0.55 ± 0.37 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The prognosis for single molar implants provides a viable treatment option for replacing a single missing tooth in the posterior quadrants of the maxilla and mandible. There does not appear to be a significant difference in the survival rates of immediately placed implants compared with delayed implant placement. However, the success rates were slightly higher with delayed loading protocols than immediate loading protocols. Palabras clave: delayed loading, delayed placement, immediate loading, immediate placement, posterior quadrant, single implant