The two types of breast implant are saline and silicone, but other breast enlargement options include the shape, surface texture and profile of the breast implant. Near Atlanta, Georgia, our team at Marietta Plastic Surgery can explain how each implant option will affect your final breast appearance.

Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

Breast implants are filled with one of two materials: saline fluid or silicone gel. Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for breast augmentation for women at least 18 years of age. For silicone gel breast implants, you must be at least 22 years old.

Both types of breast implants can provide stunning aesthetic results. Our plastic surgeons can help you determine which fill material will achieve your desired outcome. Some of the main differences between saline and silicone include:

  • Silicone gel tends to look and feel more like a natural breast.
  • Silicone gel implants are less prone to wrinkling and rippling like saline implants sometimes are.
  • Saline implants are less expensive, but may look and feel less natural.
  • Saline implants can be adjusted to specific volumes during surgery, while silicone gel implants are pre-filled to a certain volume.

Either breast implant can be successful. During a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons, you can learn more about what to expect from each type and which one will most closely fit your expectations.

Breast Implant Shape, Texture and Profile

Shape, texture and profile are the other options when you choose a type of breast implant. The shape of an implant can be round or contoured. The contoured, teardrop shape is designed to have the same slope and lower fullness of a natural breast; although, round implants also form a teardrop shape when you are standing and sitting, and become round when you lie down.

Breast implants can have smooth or textured surfaces. All contoured implants have textured surfaces to prevent them from rotating, which would create a misshapen breast appearance. Round implants, on the other hand, can rotate without changing the shape of the breast.

The profile of the breast implant is a third way your breast augmentation is personalized to you. The profile influences how your breasts project from your chest. These profiles are:

  • Moderate
  • Moderate Plus
  • High

Profile types accommodate the width of your chest, so that a high profile breast implant may be the most flattering if you have a narrow chest width.

If you live in or nearby Atlanta, Georgia and want to learn more about the types of breast implants, please contact Marietta Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons.