Inclusion Criteria:  Healthy or well-controlled systemic disease (ASA classification I,II) A partially edentulous ridge in the premolar-molar region with existing two-sided interproximal as well as antagonist contacts No sign of acute oral infection Periodontally healthy (or successfully treated) More than 2 mm of keratinized gingiva at the site of surgery Sufficient bony ridge for implant placement with or without simultaneous bone grafting  Exclusion Criteria:  Diabetes mellitus Smoking more than ten cigarettes per day Pregnancy Psychiatric disorder History of radiation therapy at head and neck area and chemotherapy Bony pathologies, namely osseous dysplasia, odontogenic cyst, tumor History of soft tissue grafting at the prospective implant site Inadequate bony ridge with the need of bone augmentation prior to implant placement