Breast Implant Manufacturers

LOS ANGELES, CA, July 28, 2012 (Press-News.org) In the U.S., only a few different companies manufacture and produce breast implants. Part of the reason for this is because the breast implant industry is extremely competitive. Over time, any smaller manufacturers that try to come into play get bought out by the larger companies. If you are getting a breast augmentation in America, your breast implants will come from one of three companies:

- Allergan, Inc. - Formerly called Inamed Aesthetic and McGhan Medical, Allergan creates breast implants that go by the brand name Natrelle.
- Mentor Corporation - Located in Santa Barbara, California, the Mentor Corporation makes breast implants for both American and international markets.
- Sientra, Inc. - Located in Santa Barbara, California, Sientra recently received approval from the FDA for their silicone-filled breast implants

In most situations, your breast surgeon will select the brand and manufacturer he prefers, and leave decisions about the fill, size, shape, and profile to you. Some surgeons offer both brands of implants, while others have a preference for one manufacturer over another. However, this preference is usually based on nothing more than the business relationship your breast surgeon has with a particular manufacturer.

Breast Implant Manufacturers: Is There Any Difference?

In order for Mentor and Allergan to stay competitive, they both offer silicone and saline breast implants with the same range of fills, sizes, and profiles. Even the breast implant warranties are strikingly similar, and both companies have FDA-approved products.

Of course, there are slight differences between the products, but when you compare what each company offers, these differences are so miniscule that they will not have a noticeable affect on your final results. Your plastic surgeon's skill and experience level are much more important.

A good breast augmentation surgeon will be well versed in the pros and cons of every breast implant on the market. He or she can help you decide on the specific parameters that would provide you with the results you're looking for. The decisions you make during this process will significantly affect your final outcome, which is why choosing the right plastic surgeon is such an important step.

Testing Breast Implants

Each breast implant company has its own unique approach to testing products, but all companies must still adhere to the FDA's established quality standards. For example, Allergan employs a wide variety of test types to ensure the durability and longevity of their breast implants. One of these tests involves exerting 55 pounds of pressure on the implants up to 6.5 million times in a lab setting.

In addition to thorough testing, all breast implant companies are monitored during every step of the manufacturing process in order to confirm that they meet government regulations.

If you would like more information about breast implants, please visit the website of experienced Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim at E. Kim Plastic Surgery today at www.ekimplasticsurgery.com.