Are Saline and Silicone's Implants Shells the Same Thing?

Question

Are saline and silicone's outershell the same thing? i know saline has a silicone shell filled with saline water, so does the silicone implants have the same thing?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

The outer walls of the silicone and saline implants are both made from a silicone elastomer. The structures and composition are slightly different but they are essentially the same.

Randy Proffitt, MD · Answer

Each manufacturer makes the shells for their implants, whether saline or silicone.  Obviously the saline implant has a valve in it also.  That is the only difference.

George John Alexander, MD, FACS · Answer

An experienced surgeon can recommend what is most attractive and best for you. But yes, the implant shells are the same in both saline and new silicone implants.

George Sanders, MD · Answer

Yes. The outer shell of the two types of implants are virtually identical except for the valve which is present in the outer shell of a saline filled implant and which is absent in a silicone gel filled implant.

Shahin Javaheri, MD · Answer

The shell of saline and silicone gel implants are similar but not exactly the same.  The shell of the silicone implants are essentially "thicker" than it's saline counterpart.

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the question. 

	The shells are similar in the sense that they are both made of silicone. However, the gel implant shell tends to be a little thicker than that of the saline implant. Additionally, the gel implants shells have no valves as compared to the saline implants.  

	For further information, visit the Mentor and Allergan websites, as they are rich with details and specifics about the implants.

	Warmest Regards,

	Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Walter D. Gracia, MD · Answer

Silicone and saline implants have essentially the same outer shell and the reaction to the body should be similar.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

Both the saline and silicone implants depend on a silicone rubber elastomer shell which is very similar in both implants. The silicone rubber, not to be confused with silicone gel, is semipermeable. This means that the water molecules actually move in and out of the saline implant in 'circulation' with your body. The salt molecules are too big and say inside. In the case of a silicone gel implant, the silicone rubber will allow a certain amount of silicone bleed, though this has been reduced, hence low bleed shells, by a layering of the rubber, and a chemical coating on the inside to reduce the bleed of gel through the shell.

	Best of luck,

	peterejohnsonmd

Charles Perry, MD · Answer

Basically the answer is yes and no. The gel implants silicone shell is different in three ways. It is thicker, polarized and valveless. However it is made of silicone like the saline implants. Silicone gel breast implants have a more engineered shell that is trilaminate with a polarized inner shell and a hydrophobic outer shell. The shell on the gel implants are also slightly thicher as well. Other differences include the abscence of a fill valve. Allergan and Mentor are the two main US providers of implants. On their web sites they go into a lot greater detail.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Yes, the outside envelope or shell for saline and silicone implants are essentially the same thing.

Are Saline and Silicone's Implants Shells the Same Thing?

Answers (12)

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