Types of Breast Implants: How to Choose the Best Option for You

Choosing the right breast implant can feel like a big decision, but understanding the options makes it much easier. Breast implants come in several types, each with unique materials, shapes, and textures that affect how they look and feel. Whether someone prefers a natural shape or a fuller appearance, there is an implant style designed to match those goals.

From saline-filled implants that use sterile saltwater to silicone gel implants that mimic the feel of natural tissue, the choices go beyond just size. Shape, profile, and surface texture also play a role in the final result. By learning the differences, anyone considering breast augmentation can make a confident, informed choice.

Key Takeaways of Types of Breast Implants

Breast augmentation surgery enhances size, shape, and symmetry for a more balanced appearance.

Breast implant options include saline, silicone, and gummy bear, each with unique benefits.

Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater, allowing smaller incisions and easy leak detection.

Silicone implants provide a softer, more natural feel but may require regular imaging for monitoring.

Structured saline and gummy bear implants are advanced designs that improve shape retention and reduce rippling.

Implant shapes and profiles (round vs. teardrop, low vs. high projection) influence fullness and contour.

Breast Implant Types

When considering breast augmentation surgery, breast implants options differ mainly in the material used to fill the implant shell. Each type has its own feel, appearance, and maintenance needs. Choosing the right one often depends on personal preferences, body type, and doctor recommendations.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants have a silicone outer shell filled with sterile saltwater. Surgeons usually insert them empty and fill them once in place, which can allow for smaller incisions.

If a saline implant leaks, the body absorbs the saltwater safely. However, the implant shell will deflate, making the change noticeable. This can make leaks easier to detect compared to silicone.

Saline implants often feel firmer than natural breast tissue. Some people notice slight rippling under the skin, especially if they have thinner breast tissue. They are approved for patients 18 and older for breast augmentation. Many choose them for their safety profile and lower cost compared to silicone options.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel that feels more like natural breast tissue. This gel holds its shape well and is less likely to ripple.

If a silicone implant leaks, the gel may stay inside the shell or spread into the surrounding tissue. Leaks are not always obvious, so regular imaging, such as MRI or ultrasound, is often recommended.

They tend to offer a softer, more natural feel than saline implants. Many people prefer them for aesthetic reasons, especially in cases with less natural breast tissue. Silicone implants are approved for patients 22 and older for breast augmentation.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants use a silicone shell filled with sterile saline solution. They are inserted empty and then filled during surgery, which allows for smaller incisions and some size adjustments. The filling material is salt water, which the body can absorb safely if the implant leaks.

Traditional Saline Implants

Traditional saline implants have a smooth or textured silicone shell that holds a sterile saline solution. Surgeons insert them empty and fill them once they are in place. This method can make the surgery less invasive because the incision may be smaller.

They tend to feel firmer than silicone gel implants and may show more rippling under thin breast tissue. This is especially noticeable in patients with little natural breast tissue or body fat. These implants are FDA-approved for breast augmentation in women 18 and older and for reconstruction in women of any age.

Structured Saline Breast Implants

Structured saline breast implants also use a silicone shell and saline solution, but they have internal chambers or layers. These internal structures help control the movement of the saline, which can improve shape and reduce sloshing.

The design aims to give a feel closer to silicone gel implants while keeping the safety benefits of saline. Patients often report a softer, more natural feel compared to traditional saline implants.

These implants may cost more than traditional saline options, but many patients choose them for the improved texture and reduced rippling.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants use a silicone shell filled with a cohesive gel that feels similar to natural breast tissue. They are available in different shapes, sizes, and firmness levels to match a person’s body and desired look. These implants tend to hold their shape well and are often chosen for their realistic texture and appearance.

Silicone Gel Implants

Silicone gel implants contain a soft, cohesive silicone gel inside a durable silicone shell. The gel is designed to mimic the feel of natural breast tissue more closely than saline implants.

They come in both round and anatomical (teardrop) shapes, allowing for different aesthetic outcomes. Round implants often create more fullness at the top of the breast, while anatomical shapes provide a more gradual slope.

Most silicone gel implants require a slightly larger incision than saline implants because they come pre-filled. This can affect scar placement and size. Regular monitoring is important because a rupture may not cause obvious changes. The FDA recommends MRI or ultrasound screenings to check for silent ruptures.

Gummy Bear Breast Implants

Gummy bear implants are a type of silicone implant filled with a highly cohesive gel that holds its shape even if the shell breaks. This gel has a thicker consistency than standard silicone gel implants.

They are usually shaped like a teardrop, with more volume at the bottom and a gentle slope toward the top. This can create a natural-looking contour.

Because of their firmness, gummy bear implants may feel less soft than traditional silicone gel implants. However, they are less likely to wrinkle or fold inside the breast. These implants require a longer incision for placement due to their pre-filled, form-stable design.

Implant Shapes and Profiles

Breast implants come in different shapes and projection profiles that affect how the breasts look from the front and the side. Shape impacts fullness and contour, while profile determines how far the implant projects from the chest.

Round Breast Implants

Round breast implants create even fullness in both the upper and lower parts of the breast. This can give a more prominent look, especially in the upper pole. They are the most common choice for breast augmentation.

These implants can be filled with saline, silicone gel, or cohesive silicone gel (often called gummy bear breast implants). The filling type affects firmness and movement.

Round implants come in several projection profiles, such as low, moderate, and high. Low profile offers a wider base with less projection, while high profile provides a narrower base with more forward projection.

Teardrop-Shaped (Anatomical) Implants

Teardrop-shaped implants, also called anatomical implants, have a sloped contour. The upper portion is thinner, and the lower portion is fuller, mimicking the natural breast shape.

These implants are usually filled with cohesive silicone gel to help maintain their form. This filling also helps reduce rippling and keeps the shape stable over time. Teardrop implants often work well for reconstruction or for patients seeking a subtle, natural look. They can enhance lower pole fullness without adding as much volume to the upper breast.

Because of their shape, they require a textured surface to reduce the risk of rotation. If a teardrop implant rotates, it can distort the breast shape.

Surface Textures of Implants

Breast implants can have different outer shell finishes that affect how they feel, how they move, and how tissue grows around them. The texture of the shell can also influence the risk of certain complications and how the implant stays in place over time.

Smooth Breast Implants

Smooth breast implants have a soft outer shell with no surface roughness. This allows them to move more freely inside the breast implant pocket, which can create a natural feel and appearance.

They are often round in shape and may shift slightly with movement, which some patients prefer. Many surgeons choose smooth implants because they are linked to a lower risk of certain rare conditions, such as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), compared to some textured types.

Textured Breast Implants

Textured breast implants have a slightly rough or dimpled shell. This surface is designed to help the surrounding tissue attach to the implant, which can reduce movement and rotation.

Some textured implants are shaped, such as teardrop designs, where stability is important. The texture can also lower the risk of capsular contracture, a condition where scar tissue tightens around the implant.

There are different levels of texture, including macro-texture and micro-texture, each with unique tissue responses as noted in research on implant surfaces. However, certain textured implants have been linked to a higher risk of BIA-ALCL, leading some surgeons to use them less often.

Choosing the Right Breast Implant

Making the right implant choice depends on both medical guidance and personal preferences. Patients benefit most when they match implant type, size, and placement to their body proportions, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

Consulting a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

A board-certified plastic surgeon from the by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) has completed specialized training and passed rigorous exams. This ensures they meet high standards for safety and surgical skill. During a consultation, the surgeon reviews the patient’s medical history, examines their chest anatomy, and discusses desired results. They may use 3D imaging or sample implants to help visualize possible outcomes.

Patients can ask about the differences between saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants, as well as placement options above or below the muscle. Each choice affects feel, appearance, and recovery time.

A surgeon’s experience with breast augmentation surgery is also important. Patients should request before-and-after photos of similar body types.

Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Breast Implants: How to Choose the Best Option for You

What are the different materials used for breast implants?

Breast implants are most often made with saline or silicone gel. Saline implants contain sterile saltwater, while silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel. Some newer options, like form-stable implants, use a thicker gel to help maintain shape. Each material offers a different feel and appearance.

How do saline and silicone implants compare?

Saline implants are filled after placement, which allows smaller incisions. They can feel less natural than silicone, especially in thinner patients. Silicone implants tend to feel more like natural breast tissue. They may require regular imaging to check for silent ruptures, as the gel does not deflate like saline.

What are ‘gummy bear’ breast implants and how do they differ from other types?

Gummy bear implants are form-stable silicone implants with a thicker gel. They hold their shape even if the shell breaks. They are often teardrop-shaped, which can create a more natural slope. However, they may require a slightly larger incision for placement.

What should I know about the side effects of breast implants?

Common side effects can include swelling, bruising, and temporary discomfort. More serious risks may include infection, implant rupture, or capsular contracture, where scar tissue tightens around the implant. Some patients may also experience changes in nipple or breast sensation.

Conclusion and Summary of Types of Breast Implants: How to Choose the Best Option for You

Choosing the right breast implant for breast augmentation involves more than just size. It requires an understanding of materials, shapes, profiles, and surface textures. From saline to silicone and gummy bear implants, each option offers distinct benefits and considerations.

With guidance from a board-certified plastic surgeon, patients can match their personal goals and body type to the implant style that best supports their desired results.

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About the Author – Meet Dr. Sam Sukkar, MD

Dr. Sam Sukkar, MD, FACS is a highly respected Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Houston, Texas, known for his expertise in advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. As the founder of The Clinic for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sukkar has set a new standard for excellence, performing over 20,000 procedures with a focus on delivering natural, refined results.

Dr. Sukkar earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1992 after graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. He then completed an intensive General Surgery Residency at the University of Texas Hermann Hospital before being selected for a highly competitive Plastic Surgery Fellowship at Northwestern University in Chicago, one of the most prestigious training programs in the country.

With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Sukkar is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is also an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Houston Society of Plastic Surgery (HSPS). His dedication to innovation and continuing education has solidified his reputation as a leading expert in aesthetic surgery, specializing in breast surgery, body contouring, facial procedures, and non-invasive treatments.

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