Why Are There So Many Breast Implant Brands?

There are several companies globally that manufacture breast implants. Some are larger companies that produce breast implants under various brand names, while others are specialist breast implant manufacturers.

• The value of the global breast implant market was calculated at 2.99 billion US Dollars in 2025; this is estimated to increase to 5.75 billion US Dollars by 2034/
• The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) found that Breast Augmentation was the second most popular surgical procedure worldwide in 2023.
• The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) found that Breast Augmentation was the most popular surgical procedure in the UK in 2024.

The high value of the breast implant market, combined with the popularity of Breast Augmentation procedures, points to the reason there are so many breast implant brands available.

If you are considering a Breast Enlargement procedure involving implants, the range of brands can feel overwhelming. It is essential to remember that your surgeon will understand the differences between each brand and determine which one is most suitable to achieve your desired results. Your surgeon will discuss this with you during your consultation and will help you to decide on the best implants for Breast Augmentation.

What are the Best Breast Implants to Have?

Every breast implant brand has its own benefits, and it isn’t necessarily possible to say one is best overall. Many surgeons choose to work with a small selection of breast implant brands, and they will discuss their reasons for their favoured brand(s) and types of breast implants during your consultation.

Although there are differences between breast implant brands, Cadogan Clinic’s surgeons are committed to using the highest-quality implants, prioritising patient outcomes and safety.

Indicators to look out for when comparing different kinds of breast implants include:

• Consistent Sizing: All reputable breast implant brands measure their implant sizes in cubic centimetres (cc’s) to ensure uniformity across the industry. This prevents confusion and inconsistencies, which could impact the quality of surgery.
• Safety and Regulation: Breast implants undergo rigorous testing and approval to ensure their safety and quality. It can take up to 10 years for an implant to be given safety approval, depending on the country’s requirements. All breast implants used at Cadogan Clinic carry either the CE or UKCA mark, indicating they comply with UK and EU health and safety regulations.
• Warranty: Every breast implant brand used at Cadogan Clinic offers a comprehensive warranty covering issues such as capsular contracture or rupture. This ensures the patient’s peace of mind, knowing that a high-quality and responsible manufacturer provides their breast implants.

The details of all breast implant surgeries performed at Cadogan Clinic are logged on the NHS Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry. This is a central record of all surgeries performed involving breast implants across private and NHS providers to maintain patient safety.

Comparing Breast Implant Brands

At Cadogan Clinic, our expert breast surgeons use implants from a range of the best breast implant brands. We have worked closely with these brands for many years, and are confident in their safety and quality.

The breast implant brands used at Cadogan Clinic include:

Mentor Breast Implants

First making breast implants in 1969, Mentor is now part of Johnson & Johnson:

• Mentor is the largest breast implant brand in the world, and more than 9 million women have Mentor breast implants worldwide.
• Mentor brand breast implants are available in over 1,000 variations.
• The full range of Mentor breast implants is created with four shell layers to prevent rupture and a specialist surface which reduces the risk of capsular contracture.
• Mentor breast implants come with a lifetime warranty covering rupture or deflation. Additional complications are covered for up to 10 years.

Motiva Breast Implants

Motiva breast implants were first introduced to the market in 2010 by the American company, Establishment Labs:

• Over 500 Motiva breast implant options are available
• Motiva breast implants offer Qid safety technology, allowing for easy retrieval of important implant information such as manufacture date, serial number, implant type and size.
• The popular Motiva Ergonomix range mimics the natural shape, feel and movement of the breasts
• Motiva breast implants have their specialised SilkSurface, designed to enhance biocompatibility. This is credited as the reason Motiva breast implants have only a 1% reported complication rate
• Motiva provide a comprehensive warranty including implant rupture for the implant’s lifetime and capsular contracture for up to 10 years.

Nagor Breast Implants

Nagor were established in 1979 and are the only British breast implant manufacturer:

• There are over 270 Nagor breast implant variations
• The shells of Nagor breast implants are made with a system of strong silicone layers, maintaining integrity and implant shape
• Every Nagor breast implant comes with a lifetime warranty, covering capsular contracture and rupture
• Nagor manufactures their breast implants in industry-leading facilities which strictly adhere to all European and International safety standards.

Polytech Breast Implants

Polytech is the sole German manufacturer of silicone breast implants, founded in 1986:

• Polytech breast implants are available in over 2,000 options.
• Creators of Polytech B-Lite implants, which are 30% lighter than traditional implants, reducing stress on the breast tissue without compromising on integrity.
• Polytech breast implants are created using a cohesive silicone non-liquid gel which maintains its shape and strength, even under pressure.
• An international leader in breast implants, with safety approval in over 80 countries.
• Polytech breast implants come with a lifetime warranty covering rupture and loss of shell integrity, and up to 10 years protection for capsular contracture.

Silimed Breast Implants

Silimed are the largest manufacturer of silicone breast implants in Latin America, established in 1978:

• Silimed’s Biodesign range offers extensive breast implant variations, which can be precisely matched with the patient’s needs and anatomy
• Their cohesive gel is specially treated to prevent rupture and leakage.
• The Silimed breast implant warranty covers capsular contracture for up to 10 years, depending on the type implant.

What are PIP Breast Implants, and Do I Need to Worry About Them?

PIP breast implants were manufactured by a French company called Poly Implant Prothèse. In 2010, they were withdrawn from the UK after it emerged that they had been made using silicone which wasn’t approved for medical use. This resulted in them being more likely to rupture.

Although there is no evidence showing that breast implants made by PIP pose a serious health risk, breast implant rupture can cause symptoms including:

• Discomfort
• Tenderness
• Loss of sensation
• Swelling
• Burning
• Changes in breast shape

It has been estimated that around 43,000 people in the UK had unsafe PIP breast implants. Understandably, this increased risk has led to anxiety for many patients.

PIP breast implants are no longer available in the UK, so there is no risk of them being used in a Breast Augmentation now. Cadogan Clinic has never used PIP breast implants. If you believe you may have had a Breast Augmentation which involved PIP implants, and you are considering having them removed or replaced, our team of specialist breast surgeons are on hand to discuss Breast Implant Removal & Replacement with you.

What Factors Influence My Choice of Breast Implant Brand?

Your surgeon will help to refine your choice of breast implants by discussing your concerns and desired outcomes. They may recommend one implant brand or suggest different brands, depending on the benefits of each implant.

Factors they will consider and discuss with you include:

Breast Implant Profile

Breast implant profile, also known as projection, refers to how far the implant will extend forward from the chest wall. Lower profile breast implants create a more natural appearance, while higher profile implants result in a more prominent breast appearance.

Exact variations in profile differ between brands. For example, Mentor offers five degrees of projection, whereas Motiva offers four, and Polytech B-Lite breast implants are available in three profile options. Your choice of breast implant brand may be partly determined by the exact projection you wish to achieve.

Breast Implant Texture

Generally speaking, there are two types of breast implant shell:

• Textured: The outer layer of the breast implant has a slightly rough texture
• Smooth: The implant’s outer layer is smooth and shiny

Textured breast implants are commonly used as they are less likely to move and have a lower risk of capsular contracture. However, some research has suggested that there is a link between textured breast implants and some forms of breast cancer, although the risk seems to be very small.

Smooth breast implants typically have a softer, more natural feel and mimic natural breast movement. However, their natural movement means they may be more prone to capsular contracture and associated problems.

Many breast implant companies now offer a range of specialised textures to find a balance between the two options:

• Mentor breast implants are available with a smooth shell or with their Siltex technology, which maintains the breast implant position while feeling natural
• Motiva’s SilkSurface texture has been specifically designed to reduce the risk of complications, meaning it is often a popular choice with patients who wish to replace their breast implants, but have a history of capsular contracture.
• Nagor breast implants are available in smooth and textured (known as their Nagotex surface) variants. Nagotex has been developed to adhere effectively to the breast tissue, reducing movement and capsular contracture, and promoting healing.
• Polytech offers two textured breast implant options, one polyurethane-coated and one silicone-coated, as well as smooth breast implants. Evidence suggests that polyurethane textured breast implants may reduce complications even further than silicone textured breast implants.
• Silimed offers four different textures to optimise the balance between a natural, comfortable feel while reducing the risk of complications, depending on the patient’s requirements.

Breast Implant Cost

There are multiple influences that determine the price of a particular breast implant, and this may impact the overall cost of your procedure. Your surgeon will be transparent about this during your consultation and will find suitable alternatives if a breast implant they have suggested doesn’t align with your budget.

Factors which determine the price of breast implants include:

• Where they are manufactured
• The size of the company and how many breast implants it produces
• Research and development
• Materials
• Breast implant size

It is important to remember that there are a variety of other factors which affect the overall cost of your Breast Augmentation, and your surgeon and patient advisor will discuss these with you ahead of your procedure.

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