Silicone vs Saline Implants: Best Breast Implant Types, Brands, & Material Options
This guide shows the differences between silicone and saline implants so you know your options. Discover which breast implant material is best for a natural feel, review the pros and cons of both options, and browse our before and after image examples.
Key Differences Between Silicone and Saline Implants
Choosing the right type of breast implant is a huge decision. Anybody considering it should research their options thoroughly, which is why we provided all the information you need to make an informed decision in this guide. If you just want a quick understanding of your options so you can research later, this section is for you. These are the most important differences between saline and silicone breast implants.
Silicone Implants Feel More Natural
Almost all patients and surgeons now prefer silicone for a more natural result. Thin patients, or those with little breast tissue, are much more likely to see or feel rippling with saline implants.
Saline Implants are Cheaper Than Silicone Brands
While silicone implants now dominate the market, saline is still chosen by patients on a tighter budget or in countries with less affordable access to silicone.
Differences in Safety Concerns / Risk of Rupture
Saline implants are more likely to rupture, but they are harmless if they do. Saline ruptures are immediately obvious as the breast deflates over hours or days and the saline is absorbed safely by your body.
Silicone implants, especially the modern generation of gummy bear implants, are significantly harder to rupture. But there is a risk of a “silent rupture,” which isn't as noticeable and could be dangerous if untreated (the FDA recommends getting an MRI every 2-3 years after silicone implants).
While saline implants have a higher chance of visible rippling or wrinkling, especially when they are under thin skin or small breasts, some patients like the peace of mind that a saline rupture is immediately obvious and harmless.
Less Regulation Around Saline Implants
Patients are required to be 22+ for silicone implants. Saline implants are much less popular than silicone-based material today, but some patients aged 18-21 will still choose saline because they are unwilling to wait until they are 22 for the procedure.
Silicone “Gummy Bear” Implants are the Most Popular Type of Implants
Silicone dominates the U.S. market. As the material of choice in 85-90% of breast augmentations in the US, silicone implants are by far the most popular material option in the US.
The 5th-generation style of cohesive gel, known as gummy bear implants, are highly cohesive, form-stable implants that dominate the US market today. Gummy bear implants come in both round and teardrop shapes, with most patients electing for teardrop implants.
Saline vs Silicone Implants for Breast Augmentation
| Feature | Saline Implants | Silicone Implants (Gel) |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Sterile salt water (saline) inside a silicone shell | Silicone gel inside a silicone shell |
| Look and Feel | Firmer, less natural feel; more likely to show rippling (especially in thinner patients) | Softer, more natural feel and movement; mimics breast tissue better |
| Rippling/Visibility | Higher chance of visible rippling/wrinkling, especially under thin skin or small breasts | Much lower risk of rippling |
| Rupture Detection | Obvious — implant deflates quickly (within hours/days); saline is harmlessly absorbed | “Silent rupture” — may not be noticeable without MRI; FDA recommends MRI screening every 2-3 years |
| Incision Size | Can be inserted empty and filled after placement → smaller incisions possible (often 3-4 cm) | Pre-filled → slightly larger incision needed (4-5 cm) |
| FDA Age Approval | Approved for augmentation in women 18+ | Approved for augmentation in women 22+ (some “gummy bear” form-stable implants still 22+) |
| Risk if Rupture | Shell collapse is obvious; saline absorbed safely | Gel may stay in place (cohesive gel) or extrude; requires surgical removal |
| Cost | Generally less expensive | Generally 20-40% more expensive than saline |
| Adjustment After Surgery | Possible to adjust volume slightly in the operating room or (rarely) postoperatively with special ports | Volume fixed once implanted |
| Weight | Slightly lighter for the same volume | Slightly heavier |
| Capsular Contracture Rate | Slightly higher reported rates in some studies | Slightly lower in recent generations |
| Current Generation | Structured saline implants (e.g., Ideal Implant) reduce rippling and feel more natural | 5th-generation cohesive gel (“gummy bear”) and highly cohesive form-stable implants dominate the market |
Cost of Saline vs Silicone Implants
As the superior material preferred by most people, silicone implants generally cost 20-40% more than similar-size saline implants.
You should expect to pay somewhere between $8,000-$9,000 for high quality silicone implants in Houston or Miami. Expect slightly higher prices (15-20% more) in NYC, LA, and Orange County.
For the popular combination of silicone implants and a breast lift, price estimates range from $12,000-$15,000 in Texas and Florida.
Body procedures like liposuction and tummy tucks are also commonly paired with breast implants. Prices of these procedures vary widely, so a custom quote is needed.
Do Saline or Silicone Implants Last Longer?
Saline implants typically last 10-15 years and silicone implants typically last 12-18 years, or 2-5 years longer than saline implants on average.
After 10 years, silicone implants have 30-50% lower rupture rate than traditional saline implants, while some saline brands have rupture rates over 10%.
Silicone implants last longer mainly due to:
Stronger silicone elastomer shells (less fold-flaw failure)
Highly cohesive gel reduces stress on the shell
Better manufacturing (fewer weak spots)
Most silicone ruptures are intracapsular (gel stays inside the scar capsule) → no urgency to replace immediately
What's the Best Brand of Breast Implants?
Allergan Natrelle is the most popular name in both the saline and silicone implant categories, and Mentor is often mentioned.
Silicone gummy bear implants in the teardrop shape are the most popular type of breast implant today. Allergan Natrelle's Inspira SoftTouch and Cohesive lines are popular brand examples. Besides Allergan Natrelle, popular brands of silicone implants include Mentor (MemoryGel/MemoryShape), and Sientra (OPUS).
Ideal Implant is the most popular alternative for saline implants today, but these types of procedures are a small percentage of total surgeries each year.
Recovery Time for Silicone and Saline Implants
Silicone implants have a slightly longer recovery time. The implants also need more time to fully “settle” (2+ months for silicone vs 4-8 weeks for saline).
The longer recovery time and increased chance of discomfort for the first few weeks are due to silicone implants usually going under the muscle. This naturally takes your body more time to adjust, but leads to more natural and perfect-looking results.
| Aspect | Saline Implants | Silicone Implants |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical trauma | Usually placed through a slightly smaller incision (especially if inserted empty and filled in place) | Requires a slightly longer incision (≈1 cm longer on average) |
| Placement technique | Can be placed more easily above the muscle (subglandular) in some cases | More often placed under the muscle (submuscular/ dual-plane) for better coverage and less rippling |
| Immediate post-op pain | Generally less painful in the first 3-7 days | More painful the first 3-7 days (especially if under the muscle) |
| Time to “drop and fluff” | Saline implants settle faster (usually 4-8 weeks) | Silicone (especially gummy bear) can take 2-6 months to fully settle |
| Return to normal activities | Most patients: light work 3-5 days, gym 3-4 weeks | Most patients: light work 5-7 days, gym 4-6 weeks |
| 24-48 hour recovery | Many saline patients say day 3-4 feels “pretty good” | Many silicone/under-muscle patients say day 5-7 before they feel “human again” |
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See What the Perfect Breast Implants Look Like on You
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