Silicone vs Saline Implants

All Breast Implants consist of an outer casing (called the ‘shell’ or ‘wall’) plus an inner filler material. This filler material is either saline or silicone.

Silicone and saline implants have different characteristics and the following table summarises the main points of difference between the two:

	Saline Implants	Silicone Gel Implants
Filler Material	Saline (Salt Water)	Cohesive Silicone Gel
‘Feel’ of the Implants to Touch	Firmer & less natural (more of a ‘waterbed’ feel)	More natural as they approximate the consistency of breast tissue
Consequences of Wall Rupture	Saline Implants simply deflate and breast volume is lost. (The saline is absorbed by the surrounding tissues without any tissue reaction or harmful effect)	Cohesive Gel has a shape-retaining memory, so breast volume is not lost. (Silicone can then migrate to regional lymph glands but as silicone is inert this is not considered a risk to health)
Chances of Spontaneous Deflation	Possible. It has been estimated that as many as 50% of patients who have saline implants in for more than 7 years will experience leaking and deflation.	None
Silicone Gel “Bleed” through the Shell & Risk of Silicone Granuloma	None	Possible
Chances of Surface Wrinkling/Rippling	Greater	Less
Approx Chances of Capsular Contracture	3%	Higher with Smooth & Textured Implants: Reported incidence varies from 5% to 19.1%* Note: Polyurethane Foam-Covered Silicone Gel Implants: 1%

*Source: Allergan Core Study, 2010

For more specific information on Breast Implants please click on the links below:

Breast Implants
Silicone Implants
Polyurethane Silicone Implants
Breast Implant Surfaces
Breast Implant Shapes
Breast Implant Sizes
Breast Implant Positions
Breast Implant Replacement
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