Do Facial Implants Last for Life?

From a materials standpoint, most facial implants are made of a medium durometer silicone elastomer material that will never degrade or break down. The much discussed issue of bone resorption (technically implant settling) under implants has little to no clinical significance that has no cosmetic impact regardless of whether it is a standard preformed or custom-designed implant.

Once facial implants are inserted in the proper anatomical position they are there for life. Date should not be shifting  or migrating once the  healing process has taken place. Bone  resorption does occur with all implants,  due to  the implant laying directly over the bone. Custom-made implants will still give bone erosion.

Bone resorption can occur but typically does not result in any issues nor does it often necessitate removing the implant and placing a larger design. Your facial implant results should provide you with permanent improvement. The only caveat is that significant facial aging can result in fat atrophy and sagging of the facial skin which means while the implant augmentation will be permanent the external result might change over time. I hope this information is helpful.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS

 Yes, facial implants do last for life and should not require any maintenance.  I have performed many chin and cheek augmentations with implants but do not offer jaw implants as they have an increased incidence of complications in my opinion.  You should not require a custom chin implant and the jaw can be augmented with Radiesse injections once a year without issue.  

Facial implants do last for life regardless of whether or not there were custom and minimal bone loss under those implants always occurs. Over the past 35 years I've never seen that absorption cause a significant cosmetic problem that required replacement of the implant.