I get this question at least weekly, and the answer is that I can't give you an exact number of months or weeks, but short of some expensive bone grafting, you will never have more bone than you do right now. Add to that the fact that the adjacent teeth aren't just locked into their current position. They will drift over time, closing the existing space and creating issues beyond just available bone. Implants do several things. They help you chew, provide support for your cheeks and lips, help your smile, preserve bone, and keep the adjacent teeth in position. A missing tooth is a missing link in your overall oral and physical health. Even if you don't decide to have an implant placed, a bridge or a partial denture is better than doing nothing. It's all about you and your well-being. It's that important.
