A little over six years ago, the US Food and Drug Administration lifted a 14-year ban on the use of silicone breast implants in breast augmentation. Since then, the use of silicone breast implants has grown significantly.

In 2006, right after the ban was lifted, 19 percent of breast augmentation procedures used silicone implants, according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In 2012, 72 percent of breast augmentation procedures used silicone, while saline breast implants were used in about 28 percent of the procedures.

Advancements in the shape, sizing and material of silicone implants have made them a popular choice for breast augmentation patients. Some of the benefits of this type of implant are:

  • Natural appearance
  • More natural feel
  • Unlikely to ripple or wrinkle

The FDA banned silicone implants in 1992. There had been several reports of rupture, and the safety of the silicone fill material was poorly understood. People thought it might lead to arthritis and other diseases. There was no evidence showing a link between diseases and silicone implants. Today, they are used routinely, although there is a risk of rupture with both types of breast implants.

To learn more about saline and silicone breast implants, please contact the Cosmetic Surgical Center to schedule a breast augmentation consultation in Dallas, Texas with plastic surgeon Dr. Vasdev Rai.