Before you can have dental implants installed, your mouth and jaw must be in healthy shape. When teeth have been missing for a long time, the jaw bone can soften and become weak. If the jawbone has deteriorated too much, your dentist may recommend a bone graft. Healing from a bone graft can require months of recovery before an implant can be installed. Once your jaw is in good shape, your dentist will install a titanium post into your jawbone. Dr. Tanty is a dental surgeon, so you won't have to leave for a 3rd party specialist appointment. The jawbone must then grow around the implant, which can take around 4-6 months. After that, you're ready to have an abutment installed on top of your implant to prep for the installation of a crown. Your dentist will make an impression for your crown, which will be created right here in our office in as little as an hour. For patients with good dental health, the entire process can take as little as about six months.