Breast Implant Types: Know Your Options  

Posted December 18, 2025 in Breast Implants

Breast augmentation surgery is a popular and successful procedure in part because it allows women to customize their breast implants for a natural, beautiful result. With many options available, women must choose the breast implant type that best suits their body proportions and goals. Saline and silicone are the two main filling materials used in breast implants, and plastic surgeons play a key role in helping their patients choose the right breast implant type for their goals.

In this article, we will discuss the different breast implants available—including silicone implants, silicone gel implants, and saline implants—and their pros and cons, as well as the criteria patients should consider when choosing the best implant for their breast augmentation procedure.

4 Min Read:

Table of Contents

• Types of Breast Implants
• Finding the Perfect Fit in Your Breast Implant
• Ready to Learn More About Breast Implant Types in Miami?

Types of Breast Implants

Breast implants consist of a silicone outer shell, also known as an implant shell or silicone shell, filled with either a sterile saline solution or silicone gel. Both types of breast implants offer advantages for the right patient.

Saline Implants for Safety and Flexibility

Saline breast implants are FDA approved for cosmetic purposes for individuals 18 years and older. Since saline breast implants are empty when they are inserted into the breast tissue and then filled with sterile salt water (saline) once they are in place, they require smaller incisions to accommodate the insertion of the empty shell. The size of a saline implant can be adjusted somewhat during breast implant surgery, allowing your surgeon to customize your new look.

Saline implants are known for producing a uniform shape, firmness, and feel. They work well for women concerned about asymmetry between their breasts because they allow slight size adjustments between the two breast implants. Saline breast implants are considered safe because, if a saline implant leaks, the sterile salt water is safely absorbed by the body.

Silicone Implants for a Natural Look and Feel

Silicone breast implants are FDA approved for cosmetic purposes for individuals 21 years and older. Silicone implants feature a shell made of medical-grade silicone that contains the silicone gel filling. The gel inside silicone breast implants offers a natural look and feel. Traditional silicone gel-filled implants, also known as traditional implants, are prefilled with silicone gel and come in various sizes, allowing them to be tailored to the patient’s aesthetic goals. Silicone implants require a slightly longer incision to accommodate the pre-filled implant. However, a board-certified plastic surgeon can strategically place incisions in natural skin folds to minimize visible scarring.

Silicone breast implants are popular because they retain their appearance if a rupture occurs, and there is a lower risk of visible rippling. Women with silicone breast implants should see their plastic surgeon regularly for check-ups and imaging, such as an MRI, to monitor the condition and integrity of their implants, since a rupture is not visible on the breast.

Gummy Bear Breast Implants: The Next Level of Silicone

Also known as form-stable implants, gummy bear breast implants are filled with a highly cohesive silicone gel that keeps its shape and has an even lower risk of rupture than traditional silicone implants. As a type of form-stable implant, they maintain their shape due to the firmer, highly cohesive gel, often referred to as “gummy bear” material.

Compared to traditional silicone gel implants, form-stable implants are firmer and better at maintaining their shape over time. The implants feel firmer, while still replicating the natural look and feel of breast tissue. Gummy bear implants are often recommended for breast reconstruction where minimal natural breast tissue is present. Placement of a form-stable implant may require a slightly longer incision to accommodate its unique shape and firmness.

Finding the Perfect Fit in Your Breast Implant

When it comes to breast implants, one type does not fit all. You and your surgeon must weigh various other factors when choosing the right breast implants for you, including:

• Your body frame and chest width
• Your current breast size
• The amount of natural breast tissue you have
• Your level of physical activity
• Future family plans
• Your aesthetic goals and personal preferences

Once you choose the breast implant you want, you will also need to decide on the size and projection that will give you the best outcome. Placement of the breast implants can be above or below the pectoral muscle, which can influence the implant’s natural movement and feel. It’s important to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will guide you through each step of the decision-making process to ensure you are delighted with your result after your breast augmentation surgery.

Ready to Learn More About Breast Implant Types in Miami?

Breast augmentation surgery is a highly personal decision that should be made between a woman and her plastic surgeon. If you are ready to take the next step, call our Miami office today at (305) 929-0445 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation with Careaga Plastic Surgery.