The process requires several months from start to finish.
The first task is to install the implant, which is a screw that is placed in the jaw bone. The gums are cut to allow access to the bone and then sutured after the implant is set.
Next, the implant needs time to heal and allow the bone to regrow around the screw more securely. This process is called osseointegration. You can have a temporary crown installed during this time so that your eating and speaking abilities are not impacted, nor the look of your smile.
When this process is complete, the abutment or base of the new tooth is fastened onto the implant. A mold is taken of the abutment and surrounding area so that the new tooth can be shaped to fit precisely.
When the lab sends the permanent tooth a couple of weeks later, it is set, and the process is complete. It may take a little while for the implant to feel normal, but it will eventually feel quite natural.