Should I be worried if my implant has moved? A Comprehensive Guide

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to numerous medical case studies, implant migration is a known complication that can occur with various types of implants. If you've asked yourself, 'Should I be worried if my implant has moved?', the answer depends on the type of implant and the nature of its movement. This guide explores the reasons, risks, and necessary actions to take.

Quick Summary

Discovering a moved implant can be alarming, but the level of concern depends heavily on the specific implant type and the movement's characteristics. While some implants can experience harmless settling, others can have serious consequences. Get the facts on what to look for and when to seek medical attention to protect your health.

Key Points

Identify Your Implant Type: Different implants have different protocols for movement. A dental implant moving is a serious sign of failure, while slight settling of a breast implant can be normal during recovery.
Look for Warning Signs: Persistent pain, swelling, visible asymmetry, numbness, or difficulty with function are all red flags that warrant medical attention.
Contact Your Doctor Immediately: If you suspect migration, do not wait. Contact your surgeon or dentist immediately to schedule an evaluation.
Avoid Self-Intervention: Do not try to move the implant back into place or remove it yourself. This can cause further damage.
Undergo Imaging for Confirmation: Your doctor will likely use imaging techniques like X-rays, ultrasound, or CT scans to confirm the implant's position and the extent of the migration.
Discuss Corrective Action: Based on the evaluation, your doctor will recommend a course of action, which could range from monitoring to revision surgery or removal.

Understanding Implant Movement: Settling vs. Migration

Not all implant movement is created equal. Understanding the difference between expected settling and concerning migration is the first step toward knowing if you should be worried. For many implants, especially breast implants, a slight shift known as "dropping and fluffing" is a normal part of the healing process. However, true migration, where the implant moves significantly from its intended position, can signal a problem.

Factors like physical trauma, capsular contracture (in the case of breast implants), or deep insertion can all contribute to migration. For dental implants, movement is never normal after osseointegration and is a sign of failure. It's crucial to be aware of your implant type and what constitutes a normal versus abnormal change.

Recognizing the Signs of Implant Migration

Being vigilant for the signs of implant migration can help you seek timely medical advice. Symptoms vary depending on the implant's location and purpose. Some signs are visible, while others are felt internally. Regardless of the implant, paying attention to your body and noticing changes is essential.

General and Type-Specific Symptoms

Visible Shift or Asymmetry: For breast implants, this may include one breast sitting higher or lower than the other, or the implant moving toward the armpit.
Pain and Discomfort: Persistent or worsening pain, swelling, or tenderness around the implant site can be a sign of a problem.
Numbness or Tingling: For contraceptive implants in the arm, migration can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness in the hand or fingers.
Difficulty Chewing: With dental implants, movement can make chewing difficult or painful.
Respiratory Symptoms: In very rare cases, contraceptive implants have migrated to the pulmonary artery, causing chest pain and breathing difficulties.

Causes of Implant Migration

Several factors can lead to an implant moving from its intended position. These can be related to the surgical procedure, the patient's body, or a traumatic event. Knowing the potential causes can help in understanding the risk factors involved.

Surgical Error: Improper placement, such as inserting a subdermal implant too deeply or creating an oversized pocket for a breast implant, can increase the risk of migration.
Trauma: Accidents or injuries to the implant area can dislodge it.
Osseointegration Failure: In dental implants, failure to fuse with the jawbone is a common cause of loosening.
Capsular Contracture: With breast implants, the formation of thick scar tissue around the implant can squeeze and displace it.
Weight Fluctuations or Pregnancy: Significant changes in body weight or pregnancy can alter breast tissue, potentially affecting breast implant position.
Natural Tissue Changes: The normal aging process can lead to a loss of skin elasticity and thinning tissue, which can allow an implant to shift.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Implant Has Moved

Contact Your Healthcare Provider Immediately: Do not ignore the signs of a moving implant. Contact the surgeon or dentist who performed the procedure right away. Prompt action is critical.
Avoid Manipulation: Resist the urge to push, prod, or wiggle the implant. This can worsen the problem and potentially cause more damage.
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a log of your symptoms, including when you first noticed the movement, the nature of the discomfort, and any changes over time. This information will be vital for your doctor.
Follow Medical Advice: Your provider will likely schedule an appointment for an evaluation. They may perform a physical exam, take X-rays, or use other imaging techniques to confirm the implant's position and the extent of the migration.

Comparing Implant Movement Outcomes by Type

The consequences of a moved implant vary greatly depending on the implant type. Here is a comparison of potential outcomes and necessary actions.


Implant Type	Potential Consequences of Migration	Typical Action Required
Dental Implant	Pain, infection (peri-implantitis), implant failure, nerve damage, sinus problems (if migrated to sinus).	Prompt dental evaluation; can involve tightening components, treating infection, or removing and replacing the implant.
Breast Implant	Asymmetry, capsular contracture, pain, changes in breast shape, aesthetic concerns.	Follow-up with a plastic surgeon; may require revision surgery to correct position or replace implant.
Contraceptive Implant (Arm)	Nerve damage (numbness, pain), potential systemic migration (rarely to lungs via bloodstream), difficulty with removal.	Medical imaging (ultrasound, X-ray) to locate the implant; possible endovascular or surgical removal.
Spinal Implant	While designed to be flexible, if displaced due to trauma, can cause severe pain and nerve compression.	Immediate medical evaluation; potential for re-positioning or revision surgery.

The Importance of Follow-Up Care

Post-operative instructions are not just for the first few weeks after surgery. Following up with your doctor for scheduled check-ups is critical for long-term implant success. Regular visits allow your healthcare provider to monitor your implant's stability and address any concerns before they become serious problems. For some implants, this may be a lifelong commitment.

Conclusion: When in Doubt, Seek Professional Help

While a moved implant can be disconcerting, it's not always a medical emergency. However, ignoring the issue is never the right approach. Whether it's a dental implant causing discomfort or a contraceptive implant that feels different, a thorough evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional is the only way to determine the cause and appropriate next steps. Trusting your instincts and seeking help promptly is the best way to protect your health and ensure the longevity of your implant. For more information on health conditions and patient education, you can visit the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The frequency of implant movement, or migration, varies significantly by implant type. For example, severe migration of contraceptive implants is rare, especially with newer insertion techniques. However, minor settling of breast implants is a common part of the healing process. Studies on contraceptive implant migration suggest rates of less than 1% for serious migration events. Dental implant movement is a sign of failure and should be considered an abnormal event.

Yes, implant migration can occur at any time, not just immediately after surgery. Factors like significant weight changes, aging, trauma, or the development of issues like capsular contracture around breast implants can cause a shift years later. For dental implants, long-term issues often relate to bone loss.

Implant settling refers to a minor, often expected, shift as the body adjusts to the implant, particularly in the recovery period after surgery. For breast implants, this is known as "dropping and fluffing". Migration, on the other hand, is a more significant, potentially harmful movement away from the intended site and is usually a sign of a complication.

Yes, in rare cases, a contraceptive implant can migrate deep into the arm, potentially causing compression or damage to nearby nerves, such as the ulnar nerve. This can lead to symptoms like numbness, tingling, or pain in the hand or fingers.

If the dental implant itself (the post) is mobile after the healing period, it is a sign of implant failure, as it should be fused with the jawbone. Sometimes, it may be the crown or abutment that is loose, which is a simpler fix. A dentist should always be consulted to determine the exact cause of the movement.

This is an extremely rare but serious complication. If a contraceptive implant is inadvertently inserted into a vein, it can travel through the bloodstream and embolize in the pulmonary artery. This can cause respiratory symptoms and requires advanced medical intervention, often an endovascular or surgical procedure, to retrieve.

Common signs of breast implant displacement include visible asymmetry, unusual breast movement (especially with activity), a visible or palpable rippling effect, and changes in nipple position. These symptoms can be caused by capsular contracture, trauma, or tissue changes.

You can take steps to minimize your risk. These include choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon, following all post-operative instructions carefully, avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activity during recovery, and maintaining a stable weight. If you have a dental implant, practicing excellent oral hygiene is key to preventing bone loss that can lead to failure.