Breast Implants: Saline vs. Silicone
Navigating Our Key Breast Procedure Pages:
The first question after you have chosen breast augmentation is which type of implant to use (saline or silicone). There are advantages and disadvantages of each type. The outer shell of both is made of a silicone shell. So even if you choose a saline filled implant, it is still made of silicone.
Saline Implants | Quick Facts:
- It is a silicone shell filled with salt water(saline)
- Placed unfilled through a slightly smaller incision
- The implant is filled after placement
- Able to stretch and adjust the size of the breast during surgery
- Able to correct volumetric asymmetries more easily
- Slightly higher chance of deflation than silicone
- Deflation detectable by exam only
- Does not feel as natural and more prone to feeling implant
Silicone Implants | Quick Facts:
- FDA approved
- Implant filled with silicone gel not a liquid
- Implant size is prefilled and not adjustable
- Typically lasts longer than saline
- More natural feel than saline
- Less ability to feel the implant’s presence
- MRI is only way to evaluate the implant completely
