With so many different types of breast implants out there, it’s difficult to sort out which one is made for you. Here we break down the fundamentals of different implant types, shapes and manufacturers. Equipped with this knowledge you and your surgeon can have a more thorough and meaningful consultation about choosing the right implant for you.
“At The Naderi Center we offer a variety of breast implant options for our patients because we feel that breast implants are NOT one size fits all.”
–Dr. Erica Anderson, Breast and Body Specialist, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
What type of implant should you choose?
Silicone (gel) Implants vs. Saline Implants
Silicone Implant | Saline Implant |
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What type of texture should your implant have?
Smooth Surface vs Textured Surface Implants
Smooth Surface | Textured Surface |
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What is the shape of your implant?
Anatomical ‘Teardrop’ Shape Breast Implant vs Round Shape Breast Implants
Anatomical ‘Teardrop’ Shape | Round Shape |
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What are the different types of breast implants?
Sientra (Opus) Brand Implants
All Sientra Opus implants have an exclusive high-strength cohesive gel, flat back design, and the highest level of gel-shell integration. The high-strength cohesive gel helps for shape retention and high resistance and the flat back design creates a smooth conformation against the chest wall to prevent wrinkling of the implant. The gel-shell integration allows the inside of the implant to maintain strength and softness. Sientra Opus implants are available in smooth and microtextured surface options.
- Luxe Round Shape: 250 options available with 5 projection levels. Available in both smooth and microtextured shell surface options.
- High Strength Cohesive Gel (HCG): Helps to create a soft feel that is similar to breast tissue
- High Strength Cohesive Gel+ (HCG+): Great for shape retention and is designed to minimize wrinkling and rippling
- Curve Shaped (Anatomical Tear-Drop): 90 options with 2 projection levels. Available only in microtextured shell surface option.
- High Strength Cohesive Gel+ (HCG+): Great for shape retention and is designed to minimize wrinkling and rippling
Mentor (Johnson & Johnson) Brand Implants
Mentor brand implants come in a variety of sizes and projections as well as offer both smooth and textured surface materials that are great for breast augmentation or breast reconstruction following a mastectomy.
- Mentor MemoryGel & MemoryGel Extra: made with a cohesive silicone gel
- Rounded shape
- Available in a smooth or SILTEX textured surface
- Available in 3 degrees of firmness (Cohesive I, II, III)
- Available in 6 different projection options: Classic, Moderate Plus, High Profile, Ultra-High Profile, Xtra Moderate, and Xtra High Profile
- Mentor MemoryShape Contour Profile Gel (CPG): made with a cohesive silicone gel
- Anatomic ‘teardrop’ shape
- Available in SILTEX textured surface
- Mentor Saline Implants:
- Round shape
- Available in 3 projections: Moderate, Moderate Plus, and High Profile
Allergen (Natrelle) Brand Implants
Allergen Natrelle Brand implants are best known for their Natrelle Inspira Breast or ‘Gummy’ Implants which use a gummy silicone gel that sticks together to help maintain the shape of the implant. Allergen Natrelle Brand also offers Natrelle Saline-Filled implants that come in a variety of round sizes, profiles, and fullness degrees from low to moderate to high.
- Natrelle Inspira Breast or ‘Gummy’ Implants
- Smooth texture and round shape
- Only collection with 3 different types of gummy gels: Gummy, Gummier, Gummiest
- The gummier the gel, the more it holds its shape when held
○ Available in 4 degrees of fullness: Maximal, Enhanced, Moderate, and Minimal
○ Available in 5 different profile options: Low, Low Plus, Moderate, Full, and Extra Full
Still need help deciding what implant is right for you?
Dr. Erica Anderson is known for her artistic skills, allowing her to help women achieve natural and beautiful breasts. Dr. Anderson of one of a handful of women plastic surgeons in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. Dr. Anderson has dedicated her career to exclusively breast and body surgery, with breast augmentation and tummy tuck being her two most commonly performed procedures. Dr. Anderson’s patients are offered a variety of implant options, unlike most center where patients are given only the option of sizing up or down. Dr. Anderson’s breast consultation will include 3D imaging so that you can visualize your potential surgical results.