Breast Implant Information

Breast augmentation creates fuller breasts through the placement of either silicone or saline-filled implants in the breasts. Each type of implant has certain advantages to take into consideration when making your choice of implant. Many women and physicians prefer the silicone implants because the silicone gel contained within its solid silicone rubber outer shell is similar in texture to breast tissue which, they feel, translates to a more natural feel and appearance in the breasts.

Saline breast implants also have a solid silicone shell that is made of rubber, but they are filled with sterile saline water once they are placed inside the breasts. Any leaking that might occur in a saline implant is usually quickly apparent because the implant deflates, whereas, silicone ruptures can easily go unnoticed since the silicone tends to leak more slowly into surrounding tissues, and the breast changes little in appearance.

The FDA recommends that women who have silicone implants undergo an MRI every other year after the third year to detect any possible leaks that may have occurred. To provide the public with more comprehensive information about implants, The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons created the website, breastimplantsafety.org, where you can find information about implant options; frequently asked questions; and safety, risks, and benefits.

Ideal Breast Implant

The Ideal Breast Implant is currently being studied in clinical trials to determine whether it will gain approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration. This implant combines what are considered to be the best respective features of saline and silicone implants. Consisting of a series of implant shells that are nested together, this saline-filled implant was designed to mimic the natural look and feel of silicone implants. Dr. Mentz was one of a select group of surgeons chosen to participate in clinical trials based upon his experience and his excellence as a surgeon.