If you're considering a breast augmentation, you've probably read enough to be confused about whether to choose saline implants of silicone gel implants. Your choice of breast implant will depend on your and your doctor's decisions about what is best for your body. In this article, we'll compare the different types of implants in use for today's breast augmentation surgeries.

Saline Implants:The majority of today's breast augmentations are done with silicone rubber implants filled with saline. These are currently the only implants available in the US to women who seek cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. Saline implants are either round or teardrop shape. The round implant placed beneath the pectoral muscle or sub pectoral, is perhaps the most commonly utilized combination. The implant is flattened in its upper poles by the overlying muscle producing an appealing breast shape. Rotation of the implant, a potential problem with a teardrop implant is avoided with the round implant beneath the muscle. Teardrop implants are more likely to be utilized when the placement is on top of the muscle beneath the breast tissues or sub glandular. Sub glandular teardrop implants may produce more cleavage as they may be placed a bit closer to the midline, they are less likely to produce unusual breast movements as the pectoral muscles are flexed. Your choice will depend on your idea of the ideal breast shape and your doctor's preferences.

Saline implants are constructed of a tough outer silicone shell with a saline solution inside. Saline implants also come in either a smooth or a textured variety. Textured saline implants were developed to encourage tissue adherence and to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. Some saline implants also come in an expandable variety in which the saline implant can be enlarged by adding more saline after surgery. The expandable implant allows the overlying tissues to gradually adapt to the new size and is often utilized in breast reconstruction or in cases of marked breast asymmetry. This type of saline breast implant is more expensive than traditional saline implants. Silicone Gel Implants:The first implants used in breast augmentation surgery were made of a variety of materials, but in 1964 a silicone rubber envelope filled with a silicone gel implant was utilized and quickly became the standard for breast enlargement. However, silicone gel has not been routinely used in breast augmentations since 1992, when they were banned by the FDA following reports of leakage that was thought to cause tissue diseases. In the years since, many studies have failed to confirm these concerns.

In the years since silicone implants were banned, the cohesive silicone gel implant was developed and is already in use in Europe and Canada and in clinical trials in the US. The difference between silicone gel implants and the original silicone implant is that the gels have a hard, multilayer silicone shell. Inside is a cohesive silicone gel that retains its shape if ruptured because of its consistency.

Saline filled implants may be expected to produce a breast enlargement that is warmer on a cold day, and more likely to demonstrate wrinkles than the silicone gel implants. Gel implants are cooler to the touch but have a consistency that feels much like breast tissue, gel implants are more likely to develop firmness with a constricting fibrous contracture of the scar tissue that forms around the implant . Until the US FDA approves the use of silicone gel implants for breast augmentation, only women who agree to participate in clinical trials can use them.

Your doctor will be an important resource for information and can help you answer any questions that you may have about which type of implant to choose. Once you've done your research, asked questions, and found a great doctor, you're well on your way to enjoying fuller breasts and a more positive self image.