Silicone Vs Saline Breast Implants, Which Ones Are Safer

Table of Contents:

• Which type of breast implant is safer?
• Silicone gel-filled breast implants
• Saline-filled breast implants

Breast augmentation is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure worldwide. When trying to consider breast enhancement options, questions may arise. Especially on which breast implant works best for you.

Which type of breast implant is safer?

This question might be the first thing that comes to your mind when considering breast augmentation. Both silicone gel-filled and saline-filled breast implants are still regarded as safe options. These implants use silicone shells. The only difference is what’s inside these silicone cases.

Before you decide which of these two breast-enhancing solutions works best for you, it’s crucial that you understand the differences between these two types. Also, you can discuss this with your cosmetic surgeon during your initial consultation.

Aesthetically speaking, both implants can give you beautiful and natural-looking results. But which of these two types of breast implants is safer?

Since FDA lifted the restriction on the use of silicone gel-filled implants in November of 2006, plastic surgeons use either of these augmentation devices, depending on your preferences and desired results. There aren’t any proven scientific studies that specifically link the use of either of these breast implants to an increased risk of disease.

Inflammation or autoimmune diseases appear to be no more common in patients using either silicone gel or saline breast implants than in women who don’t have breast implants.

While this question still races in your mind, you should try to consider the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of breast implants.

Silicone gel-filled breast implants

Advantages

• feels soft and more like real breast tissue because of its semi-solid consistency
• silicone gel gives you a squishy feel but is firm and easily goes back to its original shape
• less likely to ripple or wrinkle
• gives you natural-looking breasts
• low risk of downward displacement due to gravity

Disadvantages

• expensive
• difficult to work with
• bigger incisions are made to accommodate silicone implants
• when it ruptures, may need an MRI because silicone gel leaks aren’t readily noticeable
• can have a slightly higher risk of capsular contracture

Saline-filled breast implants

Advantages

• cheaper than silicone gel implants
• smaller incisions are made to accommodate saline implants
• very resilient
• easily noticeable if any leak or rupture occurs
• low risk of revision surgery
• low overall rate of capsular contracture
• no need for an MRI, as silent rupture isn’t a concern

Disadvantages

• round-looking breasts and feels like water balloons
• causes a ripple effect especially when moving
• may appear stiff and unnatural
• large implants have a higher risk of downward displacement due to gravity

There’s still no proven study that the silicone gel has harmful effects on the body such as breast cancer or any autoimmune disease. But when it ruptures, it may cause breast pain, change in bust size, and shape changes of the breast. You may need to remove or replace the implant immediately if this happens.

With saline breast implants, the ‘silent’ rupture is no cause for concern. This is because your body is seventy percent salt water anyways, so saline implants are considered safe inside your body. Ruptures caused by saline breast implants can be quickly noticed, and the liquid can just drain out of the body easily.

If you’re planning to enhance your bust size, your choice has to be tailored to your preferences, breast characteristics, and aesthetic goals. Discuss all of your concerns with your doctor. Remember that your well-experienced cosmetic surgeon may have a strong recommendation for one type of breast implant over another, depending on his or her assessment of you.