Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

Choosing to get breast augmentation surgery is a big step for any woman. It’s important to research and understand all the implications of breast enhancement surgery. One of the choices that must be made before receiving this procedure is whether to choose saline implants or silicone implants. Saline and silicone are the two materials that are used to fill breast implants. Both implants have advantages and disadvantages, and its important to understand the dangers of silicone and of saline.

Until just a few years ago, silicone implants were banned because they didn’t meet FDA approval. Recently, two companies received approval to being manufacturing a new type of silicone implant that removes some of the dangers of silicone.

Factors in Choosing an Implant Type

The primary factors to measure when considering which type of breast implant filler will be needed are the rupture rates, and possibility of capsular contracture. Rupturing is something that occurs when the shell surrounding an implant breaks, causing the fluid to leak out and the implant to deflate. Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications that can arise from breast implant surgery. What occurs is that the body’s reaction to a foreign object in the body – in this case, the implant – is to encapsulate it in scar tissue. This can cause the entire breast to harden, since it surrounds the implant in tough scar tissue.

The Dangers of Silicone

Both of these side effects are more common with silicone implants. Studies in the mid-nineties revealed the silicone implant could have rupture rates as high as 51 per cent given a long enough time period. Silicone implants are also more likely to cause capsular contracture. These factors led to the FDA banning silicone implants until very recently. This was for everyone’s safety, as saline is clearly the better choice in the saline vs. silicone debate.

Saline breast implants still have their risks – capsular contracture and rupture are still things to watch out for. However, saline implants are FDA approved to be safe for use.

The New Type of Silicone Implant

Cohesive silicone implants are the new technology that is being used to bring silicone implants back to the market. These new implants have a more natural feel than feel saline or old-style silicone, and they meet the standards for FDA approval. They have overcome the shortcomings of the traditional silicone implant by reducing the chance of rupture and capsular contracture. However, since this is a relatively new advance, long-term studies on the safety of these implants have not been performed.