Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive gel that resembles the texture of natural fat. They offer a more natural look and feel than saline implants, and are less likely to cause folds or ripples.

Saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution, which makes them firmer to the touch, but folds or ripples can sometimes be felt through the skin.

Silicone implants require a 4 cm incision in the inframammary fold. They are inserted using a surgical funnel (Keller Funnel®).

For saline implants, an empty silicone shell is inserted into the breast via a 4 cm incision in the inframammary fold. It is then inflated to the desired volume using a sterile saline solution.

There is no fixed limit to the lifespan of an implant. However, they will need to be replaced at least once in your lifetime after the first surgery. After 20-25 years, you should consider replacing implants to avoid rupture.

In theory, both implants have the same lifespan. In practice, however, saline implants rupture earlier than silicone implants.

In the event of rupture, neither implant is any longer dangerous to health.

Being made of a cohesive gel block, if a silicone implant ruptures, the silicone doesn't come out of the capsule. As a result, the shape of the breast may not change, which can make it more difficult to detect a rupture. If rupture is suspected, an ultrasound or mammogram will help determine the condition of the implant.

Being fluid-filled, a rupture or leak of a saline implant is quick and very obvious - the breast will deflate completely. In this case, an appointment with the surgeon will be made as soon as possible to schedule implant replacement surgery.

There is about a $1,000 difference between implants, with saline implants being the less expensive of the two.