Breast enlargement surgery is a popular procedure, and many women who consider getting the surgery wonder if saline breast implants are better than silicone breast implants and vice versa. Both types of implants are discussed here to give you an idea of the pros and cons of each.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone implants are used for virtually every type of implant available, and is now considered a safe and healthy option for breast implants. In the 1990s, claims were made that the use of silicone contributed to connective tissue disease, though subsequent research concluded that no definitive connection between the implants and diseases reported could be made.
Breast implants made of silicone consist of a silicone rubber shell filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel. Many believe that the material has the look and feel of natural breast tissue, more so than the saline versions.
However, silicone breast implants are more susceptible to ruptures and capsular contracture. In addition, ruptures are more difficult to detect and repair since the silicone gel may simply travel to surrounding breast tissue.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline breast implants, conversely, are made of a silicone rubber shell, then filled with the desired amount of saline and sealed. There are two types of silicone implants used in breast augmentation.
One type is a fixed volume implant, and the other is an adjustable volume. The adjustable version allows for patients to increase or decrease the amount of saline in the implant in the future without an extremely invasive procedure.
This is accomplished via the valve that seals the implant. A surgeon may simply add to or remove from the amount of existing saline in the breast implant by accessing the valve of the implant, without completely removing it.
When a saline implant happens to rupture, it is easily detected. This is because the breast will visibly deflate, and the saline will be absorbed by the body.
Breast implants will last for various amounts of time in different patients and environments. Without utilizing the proper after-care program, they may need to be replaced in as few as 10 years.
However, most patients exercise diligent care and preventive methods, and find that their breast implants, whether saline or silicone, will last for several years before further procedures are necessary.
To learn more about breast implants as well as
facelift,
breast lift, and
liposuction, we encourage you to contact our
cosmetic surgery office in Adelaide, South Australia.