Saline Implants vs. Silicone Implants

This page is provided to help women choose the best breast implants for their breast augmentation.

Baltimore, MD area plastic surgeon Dr. Alyson Wells understands that knowing the differences between saline and silicone will help you to better achieve your breast enhancement goals.

Implant Material

Look and Feel

Saline implants usually provide a slightly fuller, firmer appearance to the breasts compared to silicone.

Silicone implants, approved by the FDA for women 22 years or older, more closely mimic the density and texture of breast tissue and so have a softer, more natural feel and (usually) less visible rippling.

Silicone can make a significant difference in patients with thin skin or breast tissue, but in patients with thicker skin and more breast tissue, this difference will be less noticeable.

Inserting the Implants

Saline implants are usually placed while mostly empty and then filled once inside the woman’s body. Silicone implants are pre-filled and placed at their full volume, which means the incision for silicone implants is usually slightly larger than for saline implants.

Saline offers the surgeon and patient a bit more flexibility since they can be filled with variable amounts of saline, allowing “fine tuning” of the size during surgery.

Cost

Which Implant Is Better for You?

When helping you to determine the best implant for your unique needs, Dr. Wells will discuss with you:

At Valley Plastic Surgery, near Baltimore, no two breast augmentation procedures are the same. Dr. Wells will take into consideration all of your unique aesthetic, physical and lifestyle factors and develop a surgical plan that is just right for you.

To personally discuss your breast implant options with Dr. Wells, request a consultation online or call (410) 628-8200.