Breast augmentation is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. There are several different types of breast implants, and the right choice will depend on your body shape, natural breast tissue, desired result, lifestyle and your surgeon’s clinical advice.
When people ask about the different types of breast implants, they are usually referring to what the implant is filled with. However, implants can also vary by shape, size, projection, surface, texture and placement. Understanding these options can help you feel more informed before your consultation.
At our practice, MENTOR silicone breast implants are commonly used because they offer a reliable, natural-feeling option with a strong reputation in breast augmentation surgery. However, the best implant for you should always be chosen after a detailed consultation and examination.
What are breast implants made from?
Breast implants usually have an outer silicone shell and are filled with either silicone gel or saline. In the UK, silicone implants are the most commonly used type because they tend to feel softer and more similar to natural breast tissue.
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. While they can be suitable in some cases, they may be more likely to ripple, fold or deflate compared with silicone implants. For many patients, especially those looking for a softer and more natural result, silicone implants are often the preferred option.
What are silicone breast implants?
Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel and have a silicone outer shell. They are widely used because they can closely mimic the feel of natural breast tissue, particularly when placed carefully and chosen in proportion with the patient’s body.
MENTOR silicone implants are designed to provide a soft, natural feel while helping the surgeon create a controlled and balanced breast shape. They are available in a range of sizes, profiles and styles, which allows the result to be tailored to the patient rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
For patients who want breast augmentation to look refined, proportionate and long-lasting, silicone implants are often a strong option to discuss during consultation.
What are MENTOR silicone breast implants?
MENTOR is an established breast implant manufacturer with a long history in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Their silicone implants are used by many surgeons internationally and are designed with a focus on quality, shape, feel and patient support.
The MENTOR implant range includes silicone gel implants in different sizes and projections, giving the surgeon flexibility when planning the result. This is important because a successful breast augmentation is not simply about increasing size. It is about choosing an implant that works with the patient’s chest width, tissue coverage, skin quality and desired outcome.
MENTOR also offers patient support and warranty options, which can provide additional reassurance after surgery. This does not remove the normal risks associated with breast implants, but it does reflect why many surgeons choose to work with established implant systems rather than lesser-known alternatives.
What are saline breast implants?
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They are less commonly used in the UK but may still be discussed in certain circumstances. One potential benefit is that if a saline implant ruptures, the saline is safely absorbed by the body and the implant usually deflates noticeably.
However, saline implants can feel less natural than silicone implants and may be more prone to visible rippling, particularly in slimmer patients or those with less natural breast tissue. Because of this, they may not be the best choice for patients seeking a softer, more natural-feeling result.
What are cohesive gel or “gummy bear” implants?
Cohesive gel implants are a type of silicone breast implant filled with a thicker gel that helps the implant hold its shape. They are sometimes referred to as “gummy bear” implants because the gel is designed to be more form-stable than older-style silicone gel.
These implants can be useful where shape control is important. Some patients prefer a softer implant, while others benefit from a slightly firmer implant that provides more structure. Your surgeon will advise which gel type and implant style is most suitable for your body and your goals.
What is the difference between round and teardrop breast implants?
Breast implants are commonly available in two main shapes: round and teardrop.
Round implants are circular and can provide fullness across both the upper and lower part of the breast. They are often chosen by patients who want a fuller, enhanced look, although they can still look natural when carefully selected.
Teardrop implants, also known as anatomical implants, are fuller at the bottom and narrower towards the top. They are designed to mimic the natural slope of the breast. This can create a subtle result in suitable patients, although rotation may affect the shape, so precise placement is important.
Many patients can achieve a natural-looking result with round silicone implants when the correct size, profile and placement are chosen. This is why the consultation process is so important. The shape of the implant is only one part of the overall result.
What are implant profiles?
Implant profile refers to how far the implant projects forward from the chest. This is different from implant size. Two implants may have a similar volume but create a different appearance depending on their width and projection.
Common implant profiles include:
- Low profile
- Moderate profile
- High profile
- Extra-high profile
A lower profile implant may create a softer, wider result, while a higher profile implant may create more projection and upper breast fullness. MENTOR silicone implants are available in a range of profiles, allowing your surgeon to choose an implant that suits both your frame and your desired look.
What is the difference between smooth and textured implants?
The outer surface of breast implants can be smooth or textured.
Smooth implants have a softer outer surface and can move more naturally within the breast pocket. Textured implants have a rougher surface and have historically been used to help the implant stay in position, particularly with anatomical implants.
In recent years, implant surface has become an important part of patient safety discussions. Textured implants have been associated with a rare condition called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, known as BIA-ALCL. This is not breast cancer, but a rare type of lymphoma that can develop around breast implants.
Your surgeon will discuss implant surface, safety considerations and current guidance with you during your consultation.
Does implant size matter most?
Implant size is important, but it should not be considered in isolation. Many patients initially think in terms of cup size, but cup sizes vary between bra brands and are not a precise surgical measurement.
Surgeons usually discuss implant size in cubic centimetres, or cc. The right implant size depends on your chest width, existing breast tissue, skin stretch, shoulder width, height and overall body proportions.
Choosing an implant that is too large for your frame can increase the risk of visible edges, rippling, discomfort, bottoming out or future revision surgery. A good result is usually about proportion, balance and long-term suitability rather than simply choosing the largest size possible.
Where can breast implants be placed?
Breast implants can be placed in different positions depending on your anatomy and goals.
Subglandular placement means the implant sits behind the breast tissue but above the chest muscle. This may be suitable for patients with enough natural breast tissue to cover the implant.
Submuscular placement means the implant sits under the chest muscle. This can provide more soft tissue coverage and may be recommended for slimmer patients or those with less natural breast tissue.
Dual plane placement is a commonly used technique where the implant is partly under the muscle and partly behind the breast tissue. This can help create a natural upper breast slope while still allowing shape and fullness in the lower breast.
The right placement will depend on your body shape, implant choice and desired outcome.
Which breast implants look the most natural?
The most natural-looking breast implants are not defined by one single type. A natural result depends on the right combination of implant size, shape, profile, placement and your existing anatomy.
Silicone implants are often chosen when a patient wants a softer, more natural-looking result. MENTOR silicone implants can be particularly useful because they are available in a wide range of options, helping the surgeon match the implant to the patient rather than forcing the patient to fit the implant.
For some patients, a moderate-profile round silicone implant may create a natural result. For others, a different shape, size or placement may be more suitable.
Which breast implants feel the most natural?
Silicone implants often feel more natural than saline implants, which is one reason they are commonly used in the UK. However, feel also depends on how much natural breast tissue covers the implant and where the implant is placed.
Patients with more natural tissue may find the implant feels softer and less noticeable. Patients with thinner tissue may be more likely to feel the implant edges, especially with larger or higher-profile implants.
Choosing a high-quality silicone implant, such as those within the MENTOR range, can help support a softer and more natural-feeling result when combined with careful surgical planning.
Are breast implants permanent?
Breast implants should not be considered lifetime devices. Although some patients keep their implants for many years without problems, others may need revision surgery due to rupture, capsular contracture, implant movement, changes in breast tissue, aesthetic preference or ageing.
This is why implant choice matters. Selecting an established, high-quality implant system can provide reassurance, but it does not remove the need for long-term awareness and appropriate follow-up.
How do I choose the right type of breast implant?
Choosing the right breast implant should always be a personalised process. It should involve a detailed consultation, examination and discussion about your goals.
Your surgeon may consider:
- Your current breast size and shape
- Your chest width and body proportions
- The amount of natural breast tissue you have
- Your skin quality
- Your lifestyle and activity levels
- Whether you want a natural or fuller look
- The most suitable implant size, shape and profile
- Any medical history that may affect your suitability
It can also be helpful to look at before and after photographs of patients with a similar starting point to you, rather than focusing only on the final size.
Final thoughts
There are several different types of breast implants, including silicone, saline and cohesive gel implants. Implants can also vary by shape, profile, surface, size and placement.
For many patients, silicone breast implants offer the best balance of softness, shape and natural feel. MENTOR silicone implants are a trusted option used in breast augmentation surgery because they provide a wide range of choices and are designed to support natural-looking, proportionate results.
However, the best breast implant for you should always be selected after a proper consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. The aim is not simply to choose an implant, but to choose the right implant for your body, your goals and your long-term wellbeing.
