Why does it take so long?

Yes it surely is, for it allows the integration of the titanium screw by the surrounding tissue and bone making the body assume that it is part of the natural set of teeth. This is also the phase where the dentist can see if rejection would be a problem. Infection in this stage of the process would be sure sign of rejection but that rarely occurs due to the amount of antibiotics the person is prescribed to prevent it. After the “acceptance” phase is completed after a couple of weeks the implant is now ready to accept a plug or base compound which is where the actual tooth or crown would be placed onto.