Understanding the Different Types of Breast Implants
The breast implants available to you vary in shape and material; here is a guide to understanding what each offers you,
Written by Medical Quality Officer, David Jones , MPharm
Published: Friday 7 June 2024
Breast implants offer patients the opportunity to increase their breast size, but as our bodies vary so much from one to the other, it makes sense that a variety of implants be available. In consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss your needs, expectations and examine your existing breasts to determine the ideal breast implant type and size for you. We encourage our patients to be as informed as possible on all aspects of their prospective breast enlargement procedure; here, you'll find a breakdown of all the breast implant types available.
Silicone Gel Implants
The silicone shell of the implant is filled with liquid, soft gel, which comes pre-filled before insertion. The silicone breast implant is less likely to rupture in comparison to a saline implant. This type of breast implant is the most popular in the UK as it looks, feels, and behaves like a natural breast does. Furthermore, as it is less likely to rupture than a saline breast implant, patients often keep them in place for much longer.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are composed of sterile salt water and are often filled through a valve after insertion. Due to the nature of the breast implant, they may be more prone to rupture or deflation at an earlier stage than other implants. Saline breast implants can feel and look less natural than silicone implants; because of this, they are the least commonly used implants on the market.
Highly-cohesive silicone gel
This is the newest type of breast implant available. It's a silicone shell filled with a highly cohesive, firm gel pre-filled before insertion into the breast. This implant is the least likely to rupture, and even if it does, the contents do not leak out. Due to the nature of this highly cohesive silicone gel breast implant, it is the most natural in look and feel.
Round vs Teardrop
There are two shapes of breast implant on offer to patients and is selected depending on the individual's requirements:
- Round implants are "volume adders" They increase size and voluptuousness to the breast, particularly that of the upper pole of the breast.
- Teardrop implants are more discreet in shape, and they are beneficial for patients that wish to emphasise a certain area of the breast, such as the lower pole.
Your surgeon will discuss with you in consultation which implant type, shape and size would be best suited to your expectations and goals. All our surgeons use only the highest medical grade implants to ensure patient safety and to offer top quality results.
