Which Breast Implants are the Safest?

Silicone and saline breast implants are equally durable and safe. They both are FDA-approved, and the choice between the two essentially comes down to your goals and how you want your breasts to look and feel. Many women choose silicone implants because they mimic the feel of normal breast tissue. Saline implants can feel firmer and have a higher risk of rippling, but they can also give you the look you want. The biggest differences between saline and silicone are the size of the incision required during surgery and how they rupture.

Saline vs. Silicone Incision Sizes

Saline breast implants use a silicone shell, which is inserted through a small incision and then filled with saline. This implant can potentially leave you with very minimal breast scarring because only the shell needs to be inserted. Silicone implants will require a bigger incision site because they are pre-filled with cohesive silicone gel.

Regardless of which implant you choose, there are three possible incision sites: under your arm, the fold under your breast and through the areola (nipple).

Breast Implant Ruptures

The likelihood of a breast implant rupture is 1-2 percent per year, which means your potential for an implant rupture will be around 10 percent after ten years. When a saline implant ruptures, you will notice immediately as your breast will change in size and shape. The saline will be absorbed naturally into your body, but the silicone shell will need to be surgically removed.

A silicone implant rupture is not as obvious. The silicone gel will remain in the capsule that forms around the implant and is referred to as a “silent rupture.” Women with silicone implants are urged to have an MRI done every few years to ensure there isn’t any leakage or rupture. However, there are not any health problems proven to be associated with ruptured silicone or saline implants.

Both saline and silicone implants are safe. The best way to choose which is right for you is to speak with our plastic surgeon during your initial consultation at our Miami office.

If you’re interested in breast augmentation, please contact The Weston Center for Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery in Miami today at (954) 526-0066. We serve clients in Miami, Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation and Davie, Florida.