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Silicone or Saline Implants: Which Is Better?
If you are considering a breast augmentation, one of the “options” that you will have is choosing between silicone and saline implants. While both implant types are FDA-approved, they are absolutely not equal in terms of performance, feel or long-term results.
At Arizona Center for Breast Surgery, it is the very rare exception for a patient not to select silicone implants — and for many very good reasons. This overwhelming preference is not by chance — it is based on consistent, well-documented and major differences between the two implant types.
Understanding these differences can help you make the most informed decision for your goals.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Difference Between Silicone and Saline Implants?
- Why Silicone Implants Are Preferred by Most Patients
- Are There Any Advantages to Saline Implants?
- Important Considerations When Choosing Implants
- Which Option Is Right for You?
What Is the Difference Between Silicone and Saline Implants?
Both implant types have a silicone outer shell. The difference lies in what fills the implant.
Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater after they are placed into the breast. Silicone implants are pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel designed to simulate natural breast tissue. The result is that they generally feel and are far superior to saline implants.
Why Silicone Implants Are Preferred by Most Patients
Silicone implants are overwhelmingly preferred by both patients and plastic surgeons — and for good reason.
Two of the most important advantages are their more natural look and feel. The cohesive gel closely mimics the consistency of breast tissue whereas saline behaves more like a fluid-filled device. With saline implants, you can often feel the shell of the implant which clearly detracts from the quality of the results.
Silicone implants are also far less likely to ripple or wrinkle, especially in patients with thinner tissue. This contributes significantly to a smoother, more natural appearance. Rippling is very common with saline implants in women, particularly those thinner tissues.
In addition, silicone implants are more durable and maintain their shape better over time. They are less prone to structural weaknesses that can lead to loss of integrity and are better at preserving breast contour long term.
Another key advantage is customization. Silicone implants are available in a variety of profiles (width to height ratios) and levels of cohesiveness, allowing for more tailored and refined results that match your anatomy.
Because of these combined benefits, silicone implants consistently produce far more natural-looking and reliable results — which is why they are chosen in the vast majority of breast augmentations.
Are There Any Advantages to Saline Implants?
Although silicone implants are generally superior in most aesthetic and functional categories, saline implants do have a few advantages.
One benefit is that saline implants can be inserted empty and be filled after placement. This allows for slightly smaller incisions, which may be appealing for some patients.
Saline implants are also easier to detect if they have lost their integrity and ruptured. If the implant shell fails, the saline from the implants leaks out and is absorbed quickly by the body. Consequently, the breast deflates noticeably, usually within a short period of time.
Finally, the implant fill volume for saline implants can be adjusted during surgery which can help fine-tune minor size asymmetries.
However, these relatively minor advantages are substantially outweighed by their limitations in appearance, feel and long-term performance.
Important Considerations When Choosing Implants
When comparing silicone and saline implants, several key differences should be considered:
- Natural Look and Feel: Silicone implants are significantly more natural in both look and feel.
- Rippling Risk: Higher with saline, especially in thinner patients
- Durability: Silicone implants tend to be more durable and stable over time
- Rupture Detection: Easier with saline but often more disruptive aesthetically
- Customization: Greater with silicone implants due to multiple profiles and gel options
It is also important to understand that while saline implants can produce acceptable results, there is no true scenario in which they provide superior aesthetic outcomes compared to silicone implants based on extensive clinical experience.
Which Option Is Right for You?
There is technically no one “best” implant for every patient. However, the evidence and long-term experience strongly support silicone implants as the superior choice for most individuals seeking breast augmentation.
Dr. Steven H. Turkeltaub, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, will evaluate your anatomy, tissue characteristics and aesthetic goals during your consultation. He will guide you through the decision-making process to ensure your implant choice aligns with your goals and desires as much as possible.
Whether you are looking for subtle enhancement or more noticeable volume enhancement, selecting the right implant type is critical to achieving a result that looks and feels right for your body.
Schedule Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
Breast augmentation is a highly personalized procedure. Choosing the right implant is one of the most important steps in the process. With expert guidance, you can feel confident in your decision and your results.
To learn more about breast augmentation and your implant options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Turkeltaub at Arizona Center for Breast Surgery. Patients visit from Phoenix, Scottsdale and throughout Arizona for his expertise and individualized approach. Call (480) 451-3000 or complete our online contact form to get started today.