The typical process takes about 6 to 10 months.
Usually, we are starting with a tooth that needs to be removed. So first we pull the tooth and place a bone graft. The bone graft helps preserve the volume of bone. The healing time for the graft to turn into real bone is about 3 to 4 months.
When the Dental Implant is Placed
After the graft healed, we place the implant. The implant needs to integrate (bone grows tightly around the implant threads locking it in place) which usually takes 3 to 6 months depending on how much torque is achieved when the implant is placed.
The implant can sometimes be left exposed and a healing abutment (gum former) placed at the time of surgery (one-stage approach). Sometimes it is covered up by the gum to allow more protection during healing (two-stage approach). If a two-stage approach is used this requires another 4 weeks of healing.
At this point, we are ready for the impression or scan of the implant which is used to make the abutment and crown.
So to summarize:
- Bone Graft - 3 to 4 months
- Implant - 3 to 6 months
- Second Stage - 1 month
- Making the restoration - 2 weeks.