Silicone Implants

What Are Silicone Gel Implants?

Invented in 1961, silicone-gel-filled implants are considered a medical device. Over the years, silicone implants have undergone numerous improvements. In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the use of silicone implants for elective breast augmentation (with the exception of purposes related to reconstruction, birth defects, replacement of ruptured implants, or for research purposes) due to safety concerns. After sufficient data had been collected on implant safety, these implants received FDA approval to return to the market in 2006.  As part of this return, the manufacturers are required to continue studying any health consequences that may emerge in women who elect to have silicone implants.

In modern silicone breast implants, the semi-solid silicone gel is surrounded by an outer shell made of silicone elastomer (rubber). The exact construction of a silicone implant varies depending on the manufacturer (for example, Allergan’s implants add an additional barrier layer).

What Companies Produce This Type of Implant?

American manufacturers include Allergan (including Inamed and Natrelle brands), Mentor Corp. (including the MemoryGel brand), and Sientra? Foreign makers include Eurosilicone (France) and Nagor (British Isles).

How Many Women Have Silicone Implants?

The FDA estimates that five to ten million women around the world have breast implants. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that there were more than 290,000 breast enlargement surgeries in the United States in 2010 with an additional 93,000 reconstructive surgeries. There seemed to be a relatively equal balance of silicone and saline implants used in these procedures.  

What Are the Advantages of Silicone Implants?

• Available to women of any age for reconstructive procedures.
• Are made in a variety of sizes, textures, and profiles (i.e., the implant's appearance from the side). 
• Many women believe that silicone gel implants offer a more natural feel and look than do saline implants.
• Decades of research have improved the quality and safety of silicone implants significantly.
• Any type of implant may help a woman feel more confident or enhance her self-esteem; however, women should have reasonable expectations for their lives after surgery before getting breast implants.

What Are the Disadvantages of Silicone Implants?

• Not an option for women who are younger than 22 and who are having elective cosmetic surgery.
• Cannot be filled after placement, which may require a larger incision than a saline implant that is filled as a part of the surgical procedure.
• If the implant were to rupture, the result would be a slow leak. For this reason, women who opt for silicone implants will need regular (about every 2 years) MRIs, which often are not covered by insurance policies.
• The national average cost of procedures for silicone-gel filled breast implants is slightly higher than that for saline-filled breast implants.
• Any type of implant may make it more difficult to detect breast cancer so a baseline mammogram is often advised.
• All breast implants may make the initiation of breastfeeding more difficult or not possible (Read more about Nursing with Implants).

Are Silicone Gel Breast Implants Safe?

Yes, contemporary silicone implants are considered to be safe (Read more about Implant Safety).