How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime, but they usually last more than a decade. The chance of rupture increases about one percent each year, so there is a 90% chance an implant will still be fully intact after 10 years.

Breast implants are medical devices implanted under the breast tissue or chest muscle used to: 

• Increase breast size (breast augmentation) 
• Replace breast tissue that has been removed due to cancer or trauma or that has failed to develop properly due to a breast abnormality (breast reconstruction)

There are two types of breast implants used in the U.S.: 

• Saline-filled 
  • Have a silicone outer shell
  • Filled with a sterile saltwater (saline) solution
  • Some are pre-filled and others are filled by a doctor during surgery
  • Approved for breast augmentation for women age 18 and older
  • Approved for breast reconstruction for women of any age
• Silicone gel-filled
  • Have a silicone outer shell
  • Filled with a sterile saltwater silicone gel
  • Approved for breast augmentation in women age 22 or older 
  • Approved for breast reconstruction in women of any age

Breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime, but they usually last more than a decade. 

The chance of rupture increases about one percent each year, so there is a 90% chance an implant will still be fully intact after 10 years. 

Women who have breast implants should receive regular checkups with their doctor, and also perform self-checks to ensure implants are intact. 

If a saline implant ruptures:  

• It usually deflates quickly, over several days at most
• The implant and breast will noticeably change size and shape

If a silicone implant ruptures: 

• More difficult to deect than a saline implant rupture (sometimes called a “silent rupture”) and no obvious changes may be evident
  • The FDA recommends women who have silicone gel-filled implants get an MRI three years after surgery, and every 2 years after that to detect leaks
• May notice a change in breast shape or size 
• Patients may feel a change in sensation in the area 
• Small lumps may form