When planning breast augmentation, implant shape is one of several decisions that can influence the final result. Patients often assume that a teardrop implant will automatically look more natural than a round implant, but in practice, it is not quite that simple.
Both shapes can produce very natural-looking breasts when selected carefully for the individual patient. The most appropriate option depends on factors including your existing breast tissue, chest width, skin quality, implant size and profile, and where the implant is positioned.
What Are Round Breast Implants?
Round breast implants are symmetrical, meaning the implant has the same basic shape whichever way it rotates. They are available in different widths and projections, allowing the implant to be matched to the dimensions of the patient’s chest and the degree of fullness they would like.
Round implants are sometimes associated with a very full upper breast, but this is not an inevitable result. Modern cohesive silicone implants can produce a softer, gently sloping breast shape when an appropriate size and profile are chosen and there is suitable tissue coverage.
Because a round implant is symmetrical, rotation within the breast pocket does not usually change the shape of the breast in the way that rotation of an anatomical implant can.
What Are Teardrop Breast Implants?
Teardrop implants, also called anatomical or shaped implants, are designed with less volume towards the top and greater fullness towards the lower part of the implant. This creates a tapered outline intended to resemble the natural distribution of breast volume.
They can be particularly useful when a surgeon wants greater control over where breast volume and projection are created, including in patients with relatively little natural breast tissue or particular breast shapes.
However, because an anatomical implant has a defined top and bottom, its orientation matters. If the implant rotates significantly after surgery, the shape of the breast can change and further surgery may occasionally be required to correct its position.
Some anatomical implants use a textured surface to help maintain their orientation. Implant surface is a separate consideration with its own benefits and risks, which should also form part of the discussion before surgery.
So, Which Looks More Natural?
There is no universal winner.
Although the name “teardrop” sounds inherently more natural, research comparing round and anatomical implants has not consistently shown that anatomical implants produce a more natural or aesthetically superior result.
A natural result is usually achieved by matching the implant to the patient rather than choosing a shape in isolation. A round implant with an appropriate width, volume and profile can look extremely natural. Equally, an anatomical implant may be advantageous where more precise control of the breast contour is required.
It is also important to consider what “natural” means to you. Some patients want a very subtle slope through the upper breast, while others prefer slightly more upper-pole fullness while still wanting the overall breast to remain proportionate.
How Do I Choose the Right Implant Shape?
During consultation, I assess your existing breast shape, amount of soft-tissue coverage, chest measurements, skin quality and the result you would like to achieve. Implant width, projection and volume are considered alongside shape rather than separately.
For my procedures, we use MENTOR breast implants, selecting from the available implant options according to the individual patient. The aim is not to routinely use one particular shape, but to choose an implant and surgical approach that work with your anatomy and your preferred result.
Ultimately, photographs of breast implants outside the body can only tell you so much. The way an implant looks once it is placed is influenced considerably by your existing breast tissue and chest anatomy, which is why implant selection should always be personalised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do teardrop implants always look more natural?
No. Teardrop implants are designed to create a tapered contour, but round implants can also produce a very natural appearance. Implant dimensions, placement and your existing breast tissue all influence the final result.
Do round implants always create more cleavage?
No. Cleavage is influenced by your natural breast position, chest width, implant width and the surgical pocket. Implant shape alone cannot guarantee a particular amount of cleavage.
Can teardrop breast implants rotate?
Yes. Anatomical implants have a defined orientation, so significant rotation can alter the appearance of the breast. Round implants can also move within their pocket, but rotation itself does not normally alter their outline because they are symmetrical.
Which implant is best if I have very little breast tissue?
There is no single answer. Patients with limited tissue coverage may benefit from particular implant dimensions, profiles, placement techniques or, in selected cases, an anatomical implant. This needs to be assessed individually.
Can I choose my implant shape at my consultation?
Your preferences are an important part of the decision, but they need to be considered alongside your measurements and anatomy. Your consultation provides an opportunity to compare the available options and choose an approach designed to achieve a proportionate, natural-looking result. You should consider which questions to ask before the consultation, if you have any.
