Choosing between saline and silicone breast implants for breast augmentation depends on your anatomy, aesthetic goals, and personal preferences, with many patients ultimately gravitating toward silicone. Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater, while silicone implants contain cohesive silicone gel—differences that influence how each type looks, feels, and behaves over time.
Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore guides each patient through these considerations to help them select the implant that best enhances their natural proportions.
What Are Silicone Implants?
Silicone implants are pre-filled with cohesive gel that closely mimics the softness and movement of natural breast tissue.
Silicone implants:
- Have a softer, more natural appearance and texture
- Offer a smooth, natural contour that suits a wide range of body types
Considerations include:
- May require a slightly longer incision for placement
- Typically require imaging to detect silent ruptures
Silicone implants are ideal if you’re seeking the most natural look and feel, particularly if you have a slender frame or minimal breast tissue.
What Are Saline Implants?
Saline implants have silicone shells filled with sterile saltwater after placement. While saline implants are less commonly chosen today, they remain a viable option in specific situations.
Saline implants:
- May require somewhat smaller incisions, since they’re filled after placement
- Allow minor size adjustments during surgery for precise symmetry
- Make rupture detection easy: If an implant leaks, it deflates quickly and harmlessly
Considerations include:
- A slightly firmer feel compared to silicone implants
- Less natural movement in patients with minimal breast tissue
- Upper-pole firmness or visibility in very thin patients, depending on placement and implant size
Saline implants may be used in specific clinical scenarios, but they represent a smaller segment of implant choices today. In most cases, silicone implants offer advantages that align more closely with modern aesthetic expectations.
Why Rockmore Plastic Surgery Prefers Silicone Implants
While both saline and silicone implants are FDA-approved, the vast majority of patients at Rockmore Plastic Surgery choose silicone. In fact, fewer than 2% of patients at the practice selected saline implants last year.
This strong preference is driven by a combination of aesthetics, durability, and long-term patient satisfaction. Silicone implants are known for their softer, more natural look and feel, which is especially important for patients with minimal natural breast tissue or those seeking refined, natural-looking enhancement.
Silicone implants also offer significant advantages in durability and protection. Many silicone implant manufacturers offer comprehensive warranties, often covering implant rupture and capsular contracture—an added layer of reassurance for patients.
Based on years of surgical experience and thousands of breast procedures performed, Dr. Rockmore most often recommends silicone implants because of these advantages. While saline implants remain appropriate in select cases, silicone is the preferred option for most patients seeking optimal outcomes.
How To Decide Between Implant Types
As already mentioned, your implant choice depends on your anatomy, goals, and personal priorities. For most patients at Rockmore Plastic Surgery, those considerations ultimately lead to silicone implants.
During your consultation, Dr. Rockmore helps you evaluate the following factors:
• Aesthetic goals: Do you prefer a subtle or rounder look?
• Body type: Tissue thickness and coverage influence how each implant performs and appears.
• Age requirements: The FDA approves saline for patients aged 18+ and silicone for 22+.
Dr. Rockmore will recommend the option that aligns with your vision, lifestyle, and long-term satisfaction.
Safety and Longevity
Both silicone and saline implants have been shown to be safe when placed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. At Rockmore Plastic Surgery, every implant is chosen for its quality and reliability.
Key points to keep in mind:
• Implant rupture or capsular contracture are rare and manageable complications.
• Most implants last 10 to 15 years or longer before optional replacement or revision.
• Regular follow-ups, and imaging as recommended for silicone implants, ensure continued safety and peace of mind.
Dr. Rockmore uses precise surgical techniques to minimize risk and provide results that look beautiful for years to come.
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Your Personalized Breast Augmentation Plan
Implant material is just one of the choices you’ll make about your procedure. Dr. Rockmore customizes every surgery for balanced, proportional, and confidence-building results.
Your personalized plan will include:
• Implant size, shape, and projection tailored to your anatomy.
• Incision placement designed for minimal, discreet scarring.
• Pocket location (above or below the muscle) chosen for the most natural-looking contour.
With more than 4,000 breast procedures performed, Dr. Rockmore’s 3-dimensional approach ensures results that look natural and harmonize beautifully with your body.
Schedule Your Consultation
Your implant choice is a highly personal decision, and you don’t have to make it alone. Dr. Rockmore will guide you through each step from initial consultation to recovery to help you feel confident and excited about your results.
To get started, call our office today at (518) 328-3330 or request a consultation using the online form.
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