What health issues can implants cause?

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

While highly successful for many, all surgical implants carry potential risks. One study found that approximately 12.2% of breast implant revision surgeries were due to implant rupture, highlighting the importance of understanding what health issues can implants cause before undergoing a procedure.

Quick Summary

Implants can cause localized complications such as infection, pain, and implant failure, as well as systemic issues like allergic reactions, immune responses, and for breast implants, conditions like BIA-ALCL and Breast Implant Illness (BII).

Key Points

Infection Risk: Like any surgery, implant procedures carry a risk of bacterial infection, which can lead to pain, swelling, and potential implant failure if left untreated.
Implant Failure: Factors such as poor healing, inadequate bone density, or excessive pressure can cause implants to loosen or fail, potentially requiring revision surgery.
Systemic Symptoms (BII): Women with breast implants may experience a range of non-specific symptoms, including chronic fatigue and joint pain, known as Breast Implant Illness (BII), which often improves after explantation.
Rare Cancer Risk: A rare lymphoma, BIA-ALCL, has been linked to textured breast implants, and in even rarer cases, SCC has been found in the surrounding capsule.
Allergies and Foreign Body Reaction: Some individuals can develop allergic reactions to implant materials, while the body's natural foreign body reaction can lead to fibrous capsule formation and potential implant dysfunction.
Material Matters: The type of material and implant design (e.g., textured vs. smooth breast implants) can significantly influence the nature and severity of potential health issues.

The Foreign Body Reaction: The Body's Natural Response

Whenever a foreign object is introduced into the body, a natural immune process known as the Foreign Body Reaction (FBR) occurs. This process involves the formation of a fibrous capsule of scar tissue around the implant, essentially isolating it. While a normal part of healing, an excessive FBR can cause issues. This inflammatory and fibrotic response can affect implant stability and function over time, representing a foundational risk across all implant types. The degree of this reaction depends on the implant's materials, surface, size, and location.

Localized Complications: Surgical and Immediate Risks

Infection

Infection is one of the most common risks with any surgical procedure involving implants. Bacteria can be introduced during the surgery or afterward, leading to infection at the implant site. In dental implants, this condition is known as peri-implantitis and can destroy surrounding gum tissue and bone, eventually leading to implant failure. For breast or orthopedic implants, infection can cause pain, swelling, fever, and may require the implant to be removed. Adhering to post-operative instructions and maintaining good hygiene are critical to minimize this risk.

Implant Failure and Loosening

Implants are designed to integrate with surrounding tissue, such as bone in the case of dental and orthopedic implants (a process called osseointegration). Failure of this integration can cause the implant to become loose, painful, or shift out of place. Factors contributing to implant failure include insufficient bone density, improper placement, excessive pressure on the implant, and poor healing. Over time, even successful implants can wear down or loosen, necessitating revision surgery.

Nerve and Tissue Damage

During the surgical placement of an implant, there is a risk of damaging surrounding nerves or blood vessels. In dental procedures, this can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in the lips, tongue, or chin. Nerve damage from other implants can also lead to chronic pain or altered sensation. Tissue damage, including necrosis (tissue death), can occur due to compromised blood supply or surgical trauma, especially in cases of infection or severe swelling.

Systemic Concerns: Beyond the Surgical Site

Breast Implant Illness (BII)

Some women with breast implants, regardless of saline or silicone fill, report a collection of systemic symptoms collectively referred to as Breast Implant Illness (BII). Symptoms can vary widely and include chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction (brain fog), joint and muscle pain, headaches, rashes, and sleep disturbances. While BII is not yet a formal medical diagnosis, and research into its causes is ongoing, many women report a reversal of symptoms after having their implants removed. Suspected causes include immune system responses, silicone bleed, or chronic inflammation triggered by bacterial biofilms.

Autoimmune Connections

Studies have shown associations between silicone breast implants and a higher frequency of certain autoimmune or connective tissue diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis, when compared to the general population. The hypothesis of an autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) suggests that certain materials in implants could trigger autoimmune responses in genetically susceptible individuals.

Rare but Serious Risks Associated with Breast Implants

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)

BIA-ALCL is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that can develop in the scar tissue around breast implants. It is not breast cancer but a cancer of the immune system. BIA-ALCL has been predominantly linked to textured breast implants. When caught early, it is often curable by surgically removing the implant and the surrounding capsule.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

In extremely rare instances, SCC has been reported in the capsule of scar tissue surrounding breast implants. As with BIA-ALCL, it is not a cancer of the breast tissue itself and is managed with surgical intervention.

Material Biocompatibility and Allergic Reactions

The materials used for implants, such as titanium, metal alloys, or silicone, are chosen for their biocompatibility. However, some individuals can have an allergic reaction to these materials. For example, a rare allergy to titanium has been reported in dental implant patients, causing symptoms like inflammation, pain, or skin rashes. Hypersensitivity to metal alloys is also a concern for some orthopedic implants.

Comparing Implant Complications: Dental vs. Breast vs. Orthopedic


Complication	Dental Implants	Breast Implants	Orthopedic Implants
Infection	High risk from poor oral hygiene, leading to peri-implantitis and bone loss.	Post-surgical risk, can lead to capsular contracture or require removal.	Post-surgical risk; can cause joint pain, warmth, or require revision.
Implant Failure	Failure to osseointegrate, overloading, or bone loss.	Rupture, deflation, or migration.	Loosening, degradation of components over time.
Tissue Damage	Nerve damage can cause numbness or tingling in the mouth.	Necrosis, atrophy, or scar tissue (capsular contracture).	Fractures near the implant or surrounding bone damage.
Allergic Reaction	Rare reactions to titanium or other metals.	Systemic symptoms sometimes attributed to the silicone shell (BII).	Metal hypersensitivity reactions are rare but reported.
Rare Cancer	Not linked.	BIA-ALCL (textured implants) and SCC reported in capsules.	Rare reports linked to metal corrosion.
Systemic Effects	No systemic effects reported.	BII symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, joint pain) reported by some.	Some metal-on-metal systems linked to systemic metal ion release.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Several factors can increase the likelihood of implant-related health issues. These include smoking, poor hygiene, uncontrolled medical conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders, and inadequate bone density for dental and orthopedic implants.

Prevention and management involve careful pre-surgical screening, choosing the right implant material, diligent post-operative care, and regular monitoring. For detailed information on the risks of breast implants, refer to the FDA's official page.

Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions

Implant procedures are generally safe and highly successful, but they are not without risk. Health issues can range from common localized problems like infection to rarer systemic conditions or cancers. Understanding the specific risks associated with your implant type, material, and personal health factors is crucial for making an informed decision. Ongoing communication with your healthcare provider and regular monitoring are essential for detecting and managing potential complications, ensuring the best possible long-term outcome for your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it's not a typical 'rejection' like with organ transplants, your body's immune system can have an adverse reaction to an implant. This can result in excessive fibrous capsule formation, inflammation, or allergic responses, which can ultimately lead to implant failure or related health issues.

The most common complications are localized issues stemming from the surgical procedure itself, such as infection, pain, and implant loosening. For breast implants, capsular contracture, or the hardening of scar tissue around the implant, is also very common.

Yes, titanium dental implants are widely considered safe, with a high success rate. However, a very small percentage of people can have a rare allergic reaction to titanium, and common risks like infection (peri-implantitis) or nerve damage during surgery can still occur.

The medical community is still studying the link between implants and autoimmune conditions. Some studies have noted an association between certain implants (especially silicone breast implants) and higher rates of rare autoimmune diseases, but a definitive causal link has not been established.

Health issues can appear at any point. Early complications like infection or nerve damage typically manifest soon after surgery. Other issues, such as BII, implant rupture, loosening, or rare cancers like BIA-ALCL, can appear years or even decades after the implant is placed.

Signs of a failing orthopedic implant can include new or worsening pain, swelling around the joint, a feeling of instability, implant loosening, or a fracture of the bone near the implant. An infection may also cause warmth or redness.

Many women who have their breast implants removed report an improvement in their BII-related systemic symptoms. However, since BII is not a formally recognized diagnosis and its cause is not fully understood, there is no guarantee that removal will cure all symptoms.