Facial Cosmetic Surgery
HOW LONG DO CHEEK IMPLANTS LAST?
Huntersville (Charlotte Metro), NC
Whether cheek implants are truly permanent, when they need revision, and how to maximize their lifespan
Whether cheek implants are truly permanent, when they need revision, and how to maximize their lifespan
Modern cheek implants — usually made of solid silicone, medical-grade porous polyethylene (Medpor), or ePTFE — are designed to last a lifetime. The great majority of properly placed cheek implants stay in place indefinitely, requiring no revision and no replacement. That said, "permanent" is not the same as "invincible." A small percentage of cheek implants do need revision or removal over the years for specific reasons, and understanding those reasons is the honest answer to "how long will mine last."
At Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery, cheek augmentation is performed by Dr. Raymond J. Haigney II, FACS, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with training in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. This page walks through implant longevity, what can shorten it, and how to give your cheek implants the best chance of staying put for the rest of your life.
Solid silicone cheek implants have been in clinical use since the 1950s and are the most well-documented. Long-term studies consistently show:
Porous polyethylene (Medpor) implants integrate more with surrounding tissue and are effectively fixed once healed. They are harder to revise if the patient later wants a change, but they are also less likely to shift.
The most common reason for revision, especially in the first year. A cheek implant that sits slightly high, low, or too lateral produces a shape the patient does not like. Repositioning is usually straightforward if caught within the first 6–12 months. Well-placed implants that have been in position for a year are essentially set.
Faces change over decades — volume shifts, fat pads descend, skin thins. A cheek implant that looked balanced at 40 may look prominent at 65 as the surrounding tissue thins. This is not the implant "failing"; it is a natural interaction between a permanent implant and an aging face. A small percentage of patients elect to have a cheek implant reduced or removed later in life for this reason.
Uncommon but real. Any implant is a potential surface for bacteria. Early infection (first 3 months) is usually managed with antibiotics and, if severe, temporary implant removal followed by reinsertion after the infection clears. Late infection (years out) is rare and often follows a dental procedure or a facial trauma; management is similar.
Solid implants sitting directly against bone can cause a small amount of bone remodeling underneath them — this is not the implant "eroding through" but rather the bone adapting to the pressure. In most patients it is clinically silent and does not require intervention. It is more likely with oversized implants or in patients with thin cheekbones.
A significant facial impact can displace or damage a cheek implant. If the implant shifts noticeably or if a piece is damaged, revision is needed. Most everyday facial impacts do not displace a well-fixed implant.
Some patients simply decide, years later, that they no longer want the implant. Removal is straightforward and generally does not compromise the underlying tissue if the implant has been in place uneventfully for years.
Patients considering cheek augmentation often weigh three options with very different longevity profiles:
Fillers are the easy way in; implants are the durable answer. Many patients start with fillers to "try on" a look before committing to an implant.
The best predictor of how long your cheek implants will last is having them planned and placed correctly the first time. During your consultation, Dr. Haigney evaluates your facial anatomy, cheek projection, and long-term aging pattern before recommending an implant size and shape — or an alternative approach if implants are not the right answer. Call Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery at (704) 987-3132 or request a consultation online.
Related Article: What Do Cheek Implants Do?
Words cannot express enough, how wonderful, caring and professional Dr. Haigney and his staff are! After being rushed to the Huntersville hospital with an orbital fracture, broken nose and other facial damage, Dr. Haigney rushed me into surgery (on his day off I must add) and corrected all my problems. I only wish all doctors cared as much about their patients and their recovery as Dr. Haigney and his staff did. Thank you so much for everything! Your attention and compassion has helped me make my recovery as comfortable as possible. 5 star service!
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