Choosing breast implants at the time of your consultation is an important decision that will be made with the guidance of your board-certified plastic surgeon but it is always helpful to understand what your options are. One of the major factors to consider when deciding on the type of breast implants you want is choosing between saline and silicone implants.
These are the two types of implants to choose from when it comes to the materials they are made out of. Both options are considered safe for breast surgery whether that be for breast augmentation or breast reconstruction.
Saline implants are composed of a silicone outer shell which is then filled with a sterile saltwater (saline) solution. These implants typically feel firmer to the touch and can be more prone to rippling over time. In the event of a rupture, a saline implant can flatten and the shape/size of the breast can appear distorted. At which time, saline is safely absorbed into the body. Collated data for saline breast implant rupture can be seen below.
| Implant & Years Follow Up | Rupture Rate (%) | |||
| Primary Augmentation | Revision Augmentation | Primary Reconstruction | Revision Reconstruction | |
| Allergan Natrelle – 10 years [1] | 13.8 | NR | 22.5 | NR |
| Mentor Saline Implant – 10 years [2] | 24.7 | NR | 33.2 | NR |
| Ideal Structured – 6 years [3] | 1.8 | 4.7 | NR | NR |
Silicone implants are composed of silicone gel. These implants typically feel softer to the touch and similar to natural breasts. The main caveat with silicone implants is MRI surveillance five to six years following implant placement and then every two to three years thereafter. This is recommended by the FDA to monitor for rupture or gel-bleeds in the breast implants. Collated data for silicone breast implant rupture can be seen below.
| Implant & Years Follow Up | Rupture Rate (%) | |||
| Primary Augmentation | Revision Augmentation | Primary Reconstruction | Revision Reconstruction | |
| Allergan Natrelle (Round) – 10 years [4] | 9.3 | 5.3 | 35.4 | NR |
| Allergan Natrelle 410 (Anatomical) – 10 years [5] | 17.7 | 14.7 | 12.4 | 19.6 |
| Mentor MemoryGel – 6 years [6] | 1.1 | 11.6 | 3.8 | 5.9 |
| Mentor MemoryShape – 10 Years [7] | 6.6 | 9.6 | 18.9 | 0 |
| Sientra Round and Shaped Implants – 10 years [8] | 8.5 | 6.8 | 16.5 | NR |
Ultimately other factors will be discussed amongst you and your plastic surgeon during your consultation to decide which implants are best fit for you and your goals. If you’re considering booking a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kim, please contact our clinic at 312-694-0879 or through the request form in the header.