A straightforward case involving crowns and bridges may be completed in 3 to 6 months. Implant-based full mouth restorations typically take 9 to 18 months or longer, depending on whether bone grafting is needed, how quickly osseointegration progresses, and the overall scope of treatment.
Full mouth restoration isn’t done in a single appointment. It’s a sequence — each step building on what came before, each with its own healing time. The more complex the case, especially when implants and bone grafting are involved, the longer that sequence runs. But the waiting isn’t wasted time. It’s bone growing into titanium. It’s tissue healing. It’s the biology of the restoration doing its job.
Key Takeaways
- Restorative cases without implants may be completed in 3 to 6 months
- Implant-based full mouth restorations typically take 9 to 18 months, depending on bone quality and whether grafting is needed
- Most of that time is healing between steps, not time in the chair
What Makes It Take Longer
Preparatory procedures. Gum disease must be treated before restorative work can begin. Bone grafts must heal before implants can be placed. Sinus lifts require 4 to 9 months of bone integration before implants follow. These steps aren’t delays. They’re what makes the restoration stable and lasting.
Osseointegration. Once an implant is placed, bone must grow into the titanium surface. This process takes 3 to 6 months in the lower jaw and slightly longer in the upper jaw, where bone is less dense.
Number of procedures. More teeth, more implants, and more arches involved means more steps, more healing phases, and more visits.
Patient healing factors. Smoking significantly slows healing. Uncontrolled diabetes affects bone integration. Overall health influences how quickly each phase progresses.
How the Timeline Breaks Down by Case Type
Three scenarios make the range concrete:
- Crown and bridge case (no implants): 2 to 4 appointments over 2 to 4 months. Imaging and planning, tooth preparation, temporaries placed while permanent restorations are lab-fabricated, final placement.
- Single-arch implant case (no bone grafting needed): Imaging and planning, implant surgery, 3 to 6 months osseointegration, abutment placement, final crown or prosthesis. Total: 6 to 9 months.
- Full-arch implant case with bone grafting: Gum disease treatment if needed, extractions, bone grafting and healing (3 to 9 months), implant placement, osseointegration (3 to 6 months), final prosthesis. Total: 12 to 18+ months.
What Happens Between Appointments
Most of the time in a full mouth restoration is healing time, not chair time. Patients are not in the office for months on end. They’re living normally between appointments. Temporary restorations are worn during healing to maintain function and appearance.
Prosthetics are fabricated in a dental lab during healing phases. The final restoration is fitted only after imaging confirms the underlying bone or tissue is ready.
How long your specific restoration takes depends on what it involves. A consultation with imaging is the only way to know. If you’re ready to get a clear picture of what your treatment plan would look like and how long it would take, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kitts at our Edmonds office. He’ll walk through every step of the process before anything is scheduled.
