Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

One of the many considerations you will have when seeking breast augmentation from Phoenix, Arizona plastic surgeon Paul Angelchik is the type of breast implant used. Dr. Angelchik offers both saline and silicone breast implants. Both types of implants come in different shapes and sizes. Each has its advantages and drawbacks.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are a very popular choice in the United States. This may have to do with the fact that silicone breast implants were removed from the market for a period of time by the Food and Drug Administration. Saline breast implants have a silicone shell and are filled with saline or salt water at the time of your breast augmentation procedure. They are filled after they have been placed in the pocket created for your breast implant to the correct size to meet the aesthetic goal you have discussed with Dr. Angelchik. Because the implant is deflated and then filled, the size of the incision is reduced and scarring is minimized.

In the event of a rupture or leak, the saline from the defective breast implant is absorbed safely into the body. These types of problems will become almost immediately noticeable as the breast will take on a deflated appearance.

Saline breast implants may have a “rippling” effect apparent around the side or edge of the implant, especially on thinner women. Saline breast implants may not look realistic in women with thin or minimal breast tissue.

Silicone Breast Implants

The FDA may have removed silicone breast implants due to concerns over leaking silicone into the surrounding breast tissue, but today’s silicone breast implants for breast augmentation are not the same as they used to be. When silicone breast implants were reintroduced in 2006, the FDA approved them for women who were at least 22-years-old.

Silicone breast implants come pre-filled from the manufacturer and contain a cohesive gel, which will stay within the implant in the event of a rupture. They are praised for their natural appearance and aesthetic superiority.

Because of the cohesiveness of the silicone gel and since silicone is not readily absorbed into the body, it is difficult to tell if there is a rupture in the breast implant. Women who have silicone implants should have regular MRIs to be sure there is not a rupture in their breast implant.

To hear more about saline and silicone breast implants, visit Dr. Angelchik’s video blog on the comparison between the two.

If you would like to find out more information on the different types of implants available for your breast augmentation in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, Arizona area, please contact Dr. Angelchik for an initial consultation.