Types of implants

The implants used for breast are a saline (salt water) and silicone implants.

Deciding between saline breast implants and silicone breast implants is a matter of personal preference for the patient. Saline has the advantage of not causing any problems if it leaks out into the body. However, saline-filled implants don't have the natural feel of silicone-filled implants and give a less realistic reconstructed breast. They are more likely to leak or wrinkle than silicone implants and can make breast x-rays slightly more difficult to read.

Silicone implants have been successfully used for many years for breast enlargement. Many patients favor this type of implant because they believe the results are the most physically appealing. A silicone gel filling gives a more natural feel to the breast than saline. If a silicone implant ruptures, surgery may be needed to remove the implant. Like saline, silicone implants can appear cloudy on x-rays, making mammograms slightly more difficult to read. It's possible to get a good mammogram of a breast containing an implant, but you need to tell the radiographer that you have an implant.

A lot of research in different countries has been carried out to see whether silicone implants cause health problems. No link has been found between silicone implants and the development of cancer or auto-immune illnesses.

salt water silicone breast enlargement

« back

print »