Breast Implant Shapes and Textures
There are two breast implant shapes: 1) anatomical or 2) round.
Anatomical Breast Implants
Anatomical breast implants (also known as teardrop breast implants or contoured breast implants) create a more natural contour than round breast implants. When choosing a breast implant shape, it is important to consider your body type. For example, women who are thin may be better off choosing teardrop-shaped breast implants because they will create a more subtle profile. On the other hand, since the length of an anatomical breast implant is greater than the width, it may not be a good choice for women under 5'5”.
It is also important to consider the forces of gravity when choosing contoured breast implants. For example, most of the volume in the teardrop implant is in the lower portion of the implant.
Round Breast Implants
Round breast implants are the most popular breast implant choice. A round breast implant creates a fuller breast, resulting in more cleavage. When viewed from the front, they take on the same form as contoured breast implants.
Breast Implant Textures
The breast implant surface can be either smooth or textured. Some women prefer the natural feel of smooth breast implants, and claim that they are less likely to visibly ripple. Others prefer the textured breast implant, and believe the textured surface lowers their risk of capsular contracture; however clinical studies show that there is no difference in the incidence of capsular contracture with textured breast implants when compared to smooth breast implants.
References
- Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery