The Differences Between Silicone and Saline Implants: Understanding Your Options
When considering breast augmentation, choosing the right type of implant is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. While saline and silicone implants have both been widely used for decades, advances in silicone implant technology have made them the more popular choice among patients and surgeons today. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between saline and silicone implants, discuss the decline in popularity of saline implants, and highlight the innovations in silicone implants, including gummy bear implants and the latest Motiva implants.
Silicone vs. Saline Implants: What’s the Difference?
Breast implants are classified based on their filling material: silicone gel or sterile saline (saltwater). Here’s how they differ:
Silicone Implants
- Composition: Filled with cohesive silicone gel that mimics the feel of natural breast tissue.
- Look and Feel: Silicone implants are often preferred for their more natural appearance and softer texture.
- Durability: Modern silicone implants are highly durable and designed to hold their shape even if the outer shell is compromised.
- Detection of Ruptures: Silicone implant ruptures are considered “silent,” as the gel typically remains within the implant shell or surrounding tissue. Routine imaging (e.g., MRI or ultrasound) is recommended to detect issues.
Saline Implants
- Composition: Filled with sterile saltwater after being inserted into the breast pocket.
- Look and Feel: Saline implants tend to feel firmer and may create a less natural look, especially in patients with thinner breast tissue.
- Detection of Ruptures: If a saline implant ruptures, the saltwater is harmlessly absorbed by the body, and the deflation is immediately noticeable.
- Customization: Saline implants allow for adjustments in size during surgery since they’re filled after placement.
Why Has Saline Lost Popularity?
Although saline implants were once the go-to choice for breast augmentation, their popularity has significantly declined for several reasons:
- Less Natural Appearance and Feel: Saline implants are more prone to visible rippling and tend to feel firmer, which can detract from a natural look, particularly in patients with less natural breast tissue.
- Advances in Silicone Technology: Modern silicone implants, particularly gummy bear implants, provide superior aesthetics and a more lifelike feel, making them the preferred option for most patients and surgeons.
- Higher Capsular Contracture Rates: Capsular contracture, a condition where scar tissue tightens around the implant, is more common with saline implants. Studies estimate capsular contracture rates for saline implants at approximately 10–15% within the first few years after surgery.
The Evolution of Silicone Implants: Gummy Bear and Motiva Implants
The latest advancements in silicone implant technology have revolutionized breast augmentation, offering options that are safer, more durable, and more natural-looking than ever before.
Gummy Bear Implants (Including Allergan Soft Touch)
- What Are They? Gummy bear implants are made with a highly cohesive silicone gel that maintains its shape, even if the implant shell is compromised. Allergan Soft Touch implants are a popular option within this category.
- Capsular Contracture Rates: Allergan Soft Touch implants have shown capsular contracture rates of approximately 5–8%, significantly lower than saline implants.
- Benefits: These implants provide a natural teardrop shape, softer feel, and reduced risk of complications such as rippling or leakage.
Motiva Implants
- What Are They? Motiva implants represent the next generation of silicone implants, offering state-of-the-art technology for enhanced safety, aesthetics, and patient satisfaction.
- Capsular Contracture Rates: Motiva implants boast some of the lowest capsular contracture rates in the industry, with studies reporting rates of 1–2% in primary augmentations.
- Key Features:
- ProgressiveGel: Provides a soft yet stable feel for a natural look and texture.
- SilkSurface™ NanoTexture: Reduces the risk of complications like capsular contracture while maintaining implant integrity.
- Ergonomix™ Shape: These implants adjust naturally to body movement, mimicking the look and feel of natural breast tissue.
- Smart Technology: Some Motiva implants include an integrated microchip for non-invasive identification and tracking, providing peace of mind for both patients and surgeons.
Which Implant Is Right for You?
Choosing between saline and silicone implants—or even selecting among the various types of silicone implants—depends on your unique anatomy, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate factors such as:
- Your natural breast tissue and body type.
- Desired breast size and shape.
- Long-term maintenance and imaging preferences.
- Concerns about implant texture, durability, and safety.
Final Thoughts
The advancements in silicone implants, such as gummy bear and Motiva implants, have made them the leading choice for patients seeking natural-looking, long-lasting results. While saline implants are still an option, their diminished popularity reflects the growing demand for the superior aesthetics and feel that modern silicone implants provide.
If you’re considering breast augmentation, consult with Dallas’ best plastic surgeon, Dr. Jejurikar, to explore your options and find the implant that best suits your needs. With extensive experience and access to the latest innovations in breast surgery, Dr. Jejurikar can help you achieve your ideal results.
Schedule your consultation today to take the first step toward the look you’ve always wanted!