Silicone Breast Implants - New Safer Silicone
Silicones are a family of chemical compounds. They are made from silicon, a naturally occurring element found in sand, quartz and rock. Next to oxygen, silicon is the most common element in the earth’s crust and becomes silicone when it is combined with oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. Depending on the arrangement of the molecules, silicones can be manufactured in a variety of forms including oils, gels and solids.
Silicones have been part of the consumer industry for over 50 years. Because they can be manufactured in various ways, silicones appear in a wide variety of products that most of us use everyday. Hairsprays, suntan lotions and moisturizing creams are just some of the consumer products that contain one form of silicone called dimethicone. Medical devices utilizing silicone include artificial joints, catheters, drainage systems, facial implants, tissue expanders and silicone breast implants. Silicone products have been shown to be biocompatible, reliable, flexible and easy to sterilize, making them an ideal choice for both implantable and non-implantable medical devices.
What makes today's silicone a safe option?
In 1992, the FDA called for a voluntary moratorium (delay) on the use of silicone breast implants until new safety information could be thoroughly reviewed by the FDA’s advisory panel. That same year, the FDA lifted this moratorium and announced its decision to allow access to silicone breast implants for reconstruction patients under controlled clinical studies, called Adjunct Studies. In 1999, the FDA allowed the use of silicone breast implants in Allergan's Core Clinical Study to assess the safety and effectiveness of these devices.
While these studies are collecting information specific to Allergan Medical's Silicone Breast Implants, the National Institute of Health’s Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a landmark 400-page report entitled “Safety of Silicone Breast Implants.” This 1999 report on the safety of silicone concluded “There is insufficient evidence to support an association of silicone breast implants with defined connective tissue disease.” The IOM also stated “There is no convincing evidence for atypical connective tissue disease or rheumatic disease or a novel constellation of signs and symptoms in women with silicone breast implants.” For more information, please read the IOM report which contains the history of silicone breast implants and studies concerning their safety.
The unique qualities of today’s silicone breast implants help make it the filler of choice for patients in countries where both saline-filled and silicone breast implants are widely available.
Surgeons choose Allergan for a heritage built on over 25 years of quality, innovation and trust.
Allergan has a global reputation of providing safe, effective and high quality breast options for over 25 years. Now, the FDA has evaluated and determined that Allergan Medical Silicone Breast Implants are safe for use in breast augmentation and reconstruction surgery. Additionally, the Matrix of implant options gives certified surgeons the flexibility to improve your breast implant experience and outcome. Do the research and then consult with your Allergan Silicone Certified Surgeon the best option to meet your needs.
