Do Implants Move Over Time? Understanding Normal Settling vs. Displacement

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

While a normal settling phase occurs after implant surgery, actual, unwanted movement of implants over time is possible, though not guaranteed. It is crucial to understand the distinct causes and signs associated with different types of implants, such as dental and breast implants, to determine if the movement is a normal process or a cause for concern.

Quick Summary

The stability of implants varies significantly by type; dental implants are designed for permanence and should not move, while breast implants are subject to normal post-operative settling and potential displacement over time due to factors like gravity, capsular contracture, and tissue changes.

Key Points

Initial Settling is Normal: Breast implants will naturally settle into their final position in the weeks and months following surgery, a process known as "drop and fluff".
Dental Implants are Stable: Once osseointegration is complete, a dental implant post should not move; any sensation of movement is a sign of a problem.
Breast Implants can Shift: Long-term movement of breast implants can occur due to gravity, tissue changes, or complications like capsular contracture.
Warning Signs: Persistent asymmetry, visible rippling, pain, or a change in nipple direction are potential signs of breast implant displacement.
Act Promptly for Dental Issues: If you feel any movement in a dental implant, see a dentist immediately, as it indicates a failure in the implant's stability.
Professional Evaluation: Any concerns about implant stability, whether cosmetic or painful, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and best course of action.

The Different Types of Implants and Their Stability

When asking the question, "Do implants move over time?", the answer depends heavily on the type of implant in question. Medical implants are not a one-size-fits-all category, and their longevity and stability are influenced by their function, material, and how the body interacts with them.

Dental Implants: Designed for Permanence

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. The key to their stability is a process called osseointegration, where the jawbone fuses directly with the implant surface.

Osseointegration: This process creates a stable, permanent foundation, much like a natural tooth root. Once complete, the implant itself should not move.
Components: Movement felt in a dental implant is often not the post itself, but rather a loosening of the abutment (the connector) or the crown.
Rare Failure: In rare cases, the implant post can fail to integrate or come loose due to insufficient bone density, peri-implantitis (infection of the surrounding gums and bone), or trauma.

Breast Implants: A More Dynamic Reality

Breast implants, used for augmentation or reconstruction, are more susceptible to movement over time due to a range of physiological factors.

The Post-Surgery Settling Phase: Drop and Fluff

It is entirely normal for breast implants to move after surgery in a process often called "drop and fluff".

High Positioning: Initially, implants sit high and firm due to muscle tightness and post-surgical swelling.
Natural Descent: Over the next few weeks to months, as swelling subsides and the pectoral muscle relaxes, the implants settle into a more natural, lower position.

Factors Causing Long-Term Breast Implant Displacement

Beyond the initial settling, breast implants can experience displacement for several reasons years after the procedure.

Capsular Contracture: This is the most common cause of implant shifting. The body naturally forms a capsule of scar tissue around the implant. If this capsule thickens and tightens excessively, it can squeeze and distort the implant, forcing it out of its correct position.
Gravity and Aging: The effects of aging, skin elasticity loss, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can cause the breasts and the tissue supporting the implants to sag, or 'ptosis'. This can lead to the implant moving lower, known as 'bottoming out'.
Implant Size and Weight: Overly large or heavy implants can stretch the breast tissue and the implant pocket over time, increasing the risk of sagging or displacement.
Trauma: A severe blow or injury to the chest can dislodge an implant from its pocket.
Surgical Pocket Issues: An implant pocket that is too large or was improperly created during surgery can allow the implant too much room to move.
Implant Inversion: A rare phenomenon where anatomical, or teardrop-shaped, implants flip upside down, altering the breast's contour.

Comparison of Implant Stability and Causes of Movement


Feature	Dental Implants	Breast Implants
Mechanism of Stability	Osseointegration (fusing with jawbone)	Creation of a fibrous scar tissue capsule
Normal Movement	None after osseointegration	Initial "drop and fluff" settling phase
Primary Cause of Pathological Movement	Insufficient osseointegration, peri-implantitis	Capsular contracture, gravity, tissue changes
Common Signs of Movement	Pain, gum swelling, looseness of abutment/crown	Asymmetry, visual distortion, pain, rippling
Severity of Complication	Usually a sign of underlying failure requiring intervention	Varies from cosmetic issue to painful capsular contracture
Correction	Implant removal, bone grafting, and re-implantation	Revision surgery to re-position, resize pocket, or remove/replace implant

Recognizing and Responding to Implant Movement

Signs of Breast Implant Displacement

Asymmetry: One breast appears higher or lower, or positioned differently than the other.
Nipple Position Changes: Nipples pointing in different directions or higher on the breast mound than before ('bottoming out').
Unusual Contours: The breast appears unusually round or distorted, or you can see/feel ripples on the surface.
Pain or Discomfort: A feeling of tightness, stiffness, or persistent pain.
A 'Swooshing' Sensation: This can be a sign of implant inversion.

Signs of Dental Implant Problems

Pain or Discomfort: Pain, swelling, or bleeding around the implant.
Visible Movement: The implant feels loose when touched or when you chew.
Loosening Crown: The artificial tooth on top of the implant feels wobbly.

When to Contact a Healthcare Professional

While some settling is normal for breast implants, any noticeable, unwanted, or painful movement should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. For dental implants, any movement whatsoever is a sign of a problem and requires immediate attention. A board-certified surgeon can properly diagnose the cause of implant movement and recommend the appropriate treatment, which may include observation, minor revisions, or full replacement. For further information on implant safety, it is always wise to consult reliable medical resources, such as the FDA's information on breast implants.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of whether implants move over time has a nuanced answer based on the implant type. Dental implants, when properly integrated, should not move. Conversely, breast implants undergo an initial settling process and can be affected by physiological changes over many years. Regular follow-ups with your doctor are the best way to monitor implant stability and ensure any complications, whether common or rare, are addressed promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is completely normal. Immediately after breast augmentation surgery, swelling and the tightness of the chest muscles can cause the implants to sit higher than their final position. They will gradually settle over several months in the 'drop and fluff' process.

Yes, depending on the cause. If the issue is a loose crown or abutment, your dentist can often tighten or replace the component. If the actual implant post has failed due to insufficient bone or infection, it will likely need to be removed, the area treated, and a new implant placed.

The settling process, known as 'drop and fluff,' typically occurs over several months. For most women, the implants reach their near-final position around three months post-operation, though full results may take up to a year, especially with larger implants or submuscular placement.

Capsular contracture is when the scar tissue capsule that forms around a breast implant tightens excessively. This hardened capsule can squeeze the implant, distorting its shape and forcing it to move or shift within the breast pocket.

Yes, significant changes in weight can affect both dental and breast implants. For breast implants, weight gain or loss can stretch or thin the breast tissue, altering the implant's position and potentially causing sagging. For dental implants, changes in bone density from severe weight loss could rarely affect stability.

Normal settling is a gradual, symmetrical process that results in a more natural breast shape. Displacement is typically characterized by persistent or significant asymmetry, visible rippling, pain, or the implant moving in an unnatural way, like 'bottoming out'.

While very rare, it is possible for some anatomical (teardrop-shaped) breast implants to rotate or flip upside down, a phenomenon known as implant inversion. This is more likely with specific implant types and is not typically a concern with round implants.

Yes, significant trauma or injury to the chest can potentially cause a breast implant to shift or rupture. Similarly, a dental implant could be affected by severe injury to the jaw or face.