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 (approximate the consistency of breast tissue) | ||
| Consequences ofWall Rupture | A Saline Implant simply deflates. The saline is absorbed by the surrounding tissues without any tissue reaction or harmful effect. | Cohesive Gel has a shape-retaining memory and will not leak out of the implant in the event of wall rupture to the extent the former liquid silicone implants did | ||
| Chances of Spontaneous Deflation | Possible. It has been estimated that as many as 50% of patients who have saline implants in for 7 or more years will experience leaking and deflation. | None | ||
| Silicone Gel “Bleed” through the Shell | None | Possible | ||
| Chances of Surface Wrinkling/Rippling | Greater | Less | ||
| Approx Chances of Capsular Contracture | 3% | Traditional Smooth/Textured:16.8% at 8 years* NOTE HOWEVER:Polyurethane Foam-Covered Silicone Gel Implants: 1% |
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| *Source: Allergan Core Study, 2008 | ||||
