Unlike many other forms of dental work, like fillings, veneers, or teeth whitening, the dental implant process is an extended one that may vary in length from patient to patient. This is because your implant(s) must successfully fuse to the jawbone before you can get a permanent restoration, such as a crown or bridge. This fusing, known as osseointegration, commonly takes 3 – 9 months before a restoration can be installed.