Women seeking breast augmentation have two primary implant options: saline and silicone. But what are the pros and cons of each? What should candidates consider before opting for one type of implant over the other?

Both saline and silicone gel breast implants have been around since the 1960s. Each implant is popular with women in the United States, but each has important strengths and drawbacks that someone considering breast augmentation must consider.

Saline

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after an empty shell has been inserted in the breast. A woman might choose saline over silicone for many reasons, and the major benefits of saline are as follows:

· A smaller incision may be used depending on surgeon recommendations, as implants are filled after the shell has been inserted in the breast.

· Ruptures are easier to detect in saline implants than in silicone implants.

· If a rupture occurs, sterile salt water is absorbed by the body, causing minimal damage.

· Patients can have breast size altered post-surgery without replacing the implant entirely.

Finally, it is important to know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of saline implants in women over the age of 18.

High-Cohesive Silicone Gel

Silicone implants are filled with elastic gel and have undergone multiple improvements and refinements over the years. Some of their main advantages are as follows:

· Silicone generally looks and feels more natural than saline.

· Silicone implants are less likely to wrinkle or ripple than saline implants.

· Improved implant designs continue to help minimize risks and drawbacks.

· Women may not need to have implants replaced as often as they would with saline implants.

· Implants are available in different sizes and profiles, giving women many options.

The FDA has approved the use of silicone implants in women over the age of 22.

Choosing an Implant

Although continued advances in silicone gel implants attract many women, choosing a breast augmentation option is a very personal decision. Ultimately, a patient’s desired breast size, anatomy, and physical history must be factored in, and this is best done in consultation with a certified plastic surgeon.