What Is the Difference Between Silicone and Gore Tex Implant? Which One is More Natural?

Silicone implants are made from linked chains of siloxane molecules.  The number of molecules linked together determines whether the silicone is liquid, gel or solid.  Clearly implants utilized in the face are of the solid phase and feel like a super-ball prior to implant.  Gor-Tex is expanded poly-tetrafluroethelene.  It is a white firm spongy consistency. 

Either implant is appropriate for facial use in the nose (with care however and cartilage is preferrable in most instances), cheek or chin augmentation.  Most implants for cheek and chin augmentation are either silicone or silicone with a Gortex cover.  Most nasal implants in the U.S. that are synthetic are Gor-Tex, but in Asia silicone is used very frequently. 

The advantage of Gor Tex or silicone coated Gor-Tex is that a small amount of tissue ingrowth is possible that stabilizes the implant.  The disadvantage of solid Gor-Tex implants is that they undergo some shrinkage over time with loss of volume and at times length, which can be problematic. Silicone has neither tissue ingrowth or shrinkage, but is stabilized by a capsule of tissue the body forms around it. 

In summary, in my opinion, for nasal implants cartilage is best and if necessary Gor-Tex is preferred, but only on the dorsum, not in the tip.  For cheek or chin augmentation either is appropriate and yields excellent results, however I prefer silicone or Gor-Tex coated silicone to avoid shrinkage. 

 Both implants are synthetic and each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Silicone  is easy to  insert and remove if ever necessary.   Tissue ingrowth occurs when Gore-Tex is placed and can be difficult to remove when infected.  It is always best to use patient's own cartilage rather than synthetic implants regarding the nose, if there is enough cartilage to use for the augmentation

        Both can appear natural, but if the implant needs to be removed silicone removal will be easier.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.

Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA