Round vs. Teardrop Breast Implants: Which Shape is Best? (Updated 2019)

Breast implants are an excellent option for women with underdeveloped breasts or those who experience a loss of volume due to aging, pregnancy, or weight loss. If you find yourself in one of these categories, you may want to consider breast implants for yourself. There are so many great options available today along with talented plastic surgeons who can help you to safely achieve your desired results.

Once you decide to have a breast augmentation procedure, there are several details you'll need to consider, like implant sizes and incision sites. One such consideration is the shape of the breast implant. Should you get a round implant, or will a teardrop shaped implant make you look better?

Round vs. Teardrop Breast Implants

There is often a misconception that round implants always create round breasts, and the teardrop implants always create natural-looking breasts. The truth is, both shapes can look natural and beautiful and both shapes can potentially look horrible. It all depends on which shape fits your body to deliver the most beautiful results.

Dr. Fan typically suggests teardrop implants for patients with a tighter envelope. For patients with a larger envelope, round implants are often a better fit. The secret to getting the best results is to have a surgeon who understands which shape is best for each circumstance. Discuss this with your surgeon and they will be able to recommend the best choice based on your body type and desired results.

With that said, let's look at the two different breast implant shapes and how each one will affect your final results.

Round Implants

Round implants are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about breast augmentation. After all, most women want breasts that are full and round. The round implants are circular in shape, but they aren't considered anatomic. However, they are softer than the teardrop implants.

This option has a tendency to make your breasts look fuller in the upper pole, but natural results can be achieved if the implant size is well-proportioned for your body and your existing breast tissue. Because round implants have the same shape all over, there is no concern about them rotating out of place and creating a problem with symmetry in the future.

Keep in mind that gravity will affect the implant and it may take on a somewhat teardrop appearance. This option is considered a reliable choice and you can choose between saline or silicone implants.

Teardrop Implants

This option is considered anatomic because of its teardrop shape, which is similar to your natural breasts. These implants have a higher degree of fullness in the lower pole compared to the upper. While being anatomic in shape, this option also feels slightly firmer than round implants. If you want results that feel the absolute softest to the touch, this may not be the right implant for you.

Teardrop implants are made with highly cohesive silicone and appear to be more durable, with lower rates of rupture. They may maintain better long-term breast shape compared to traditional round silicone implants. Teardrop implants have a very slight risk of rotating, which will cause a rotational deformity. Teardrop implants have also been associated with a very rare form of cancer of the immune system caused Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL), though the risk is very, very low with less than 10 cases of BIA-ALCL thought to occur each year out of several hundred thousand cases.

Because of the materials used, they're generally more expensive than round implants. Teardrop implants are often an excellent choice when existing tissue coverage is thin.

Making the Best Decision on Implant Shape

Showing your doctor pictures of what you'd like your results to look like will allow him to assist you in choosing the right shape for you. Many women who want natural results may be surprised to find that they like the look of the round, full shape that the round implants offer. In general, round implants are more popular than teardrop implants, but teardrop implants can be a better choice for women who want the most natural looking results.

It's wise to educate yourself on the options available to you, however, we do recommend consulting with a certified plastic surgeon to get professional recommendations and answers to your questions. That way, you can be confident in making the best decisions for your body to get the results you want.

Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Larry Fan to find out more about how a breast augmentation will work for you. You can also take an online self-assessment to see if you're a good candidate for breast implants.