Choosing the right breast implant is important so you can achieve the unique goal of your surgery. Dr. Ruston Sanchez will go out of his way to help you understand the different options so you can select the right choice. The most common types of breast implants used in augmentation mammoplasty are saline and silicone implants. In this brief guide, we highlight the key differences between these two implant types.
| Saline breast implants | Silicone breast implants | |
| Makeup | Saline breast implants constitute a silicone shell that contains a sterile saltwater solution | These are made up of a silicone outer shell that contains a silicone gel solution |
| How common are they? | Saline implants are less popular | The vast majority of breast augmentation procedures are completed using silicone implants |
| Candidates | FDA approved for use on women above the age of 18 | FDA approved for use on women above the age of 22 |
| Cost | Typically less expensive | More expensive – can cost about double (or more) the cost of saline implants |
| Key advantages | Implant leakage or rupture is easier to detect with saline implants | Less prone to wrinkling and rippling. Also tend to result in a more natural breast look and feel |
| Key disadvantages | More prone to wrinkling and rippling | More prone to complications such as capsular contracture. Also, leakage or rupture of the implant is very hard to detect |
| Variety of choice | Often come in limited choices | Silicone implants come in a wide variety of options. There’s also a special type of silicone implants referred to as gummy bear implants |
| Maintenance | Simple maintenance | Periodic MRI scans needed to rule out leakage |
| Revision | Revision surgery to remove saline breast implants is fairly straightforward | Surgery to remove silicone breast implants is often complicated |
When it comes to selecting breast implants, the right choice will vary from one woman to the other. It is important to understand the features of both saline and silicone implant types along with other considerations such as the shape, size, profile, and texture of the implant. Working with a Baton Rouge plastic surgeon such as Dr. Ruston Sanchez is the best way to wade through all the options and find the right implant for you.