Silicone Implants
Silicone implants have been successfully used in breast augmentations since 1962. Silicone gel has an excellent texture as a filling material because it is soft and pliable and allows for natural movement. Silicone gel feels like natural breast tissue. The possibility of silicone interfering with the standard mammography can be overcome easily by informing your radiologist about the presence of the implant; he or she can alter the technique to obtain the optimum result (Eklund Technique). Radiologists, who perform this procedure may also perform high definition ultrasound studies and or MRI studies of the breast and the implants to determine the presence or absence of a fluid collection (seroma) or an implant rupture. There has been no evidence that silicone gel is related to connective tissue disease. In fact, silicone appears to be one of the most inert materials known.