Silicone breast enhancement is a surgical method of enhancing the size of the breast. Silicone breast enhancement entails the use of silicon, an element commonly found in the earth�s crust. Silicon mixed with oxygen, carbon and hydrogen produces silicone. Silicone is the material that is used most prevalently in breast implants to enlarge the size of the breast. Prior to 1992, silicone was used both for the sac or shell of the implant as well as the gel filler put inside the shell. After the 1992, the FDA imposed a cessation on the use of silicon gel fillers. In the recent times silicone is used only for the shell while saline water is used as filler.

Silicone shells and silicone gels provide the most natural-feeling and -appearing breast enlargement implants. In 1960 Cronin and Gerow first created the silicone implants; however, Dow Corning made them commercially viable in 1962. The FDA prohibition was based on the possibility of any adverse effects due to the leakage or rupture of the implants, which may result in connective tissue disease, immunological disease, capsular contracture or cancer. Although there has not been sufficient evidence to substantiate these claims of side effects, there has not been any conclusive evidence to refute them either.

Silicone manufacturing is done for the purpose of scientific studies. Women above 18 years, in accordance to certain rules and regulations, can acquire a silicone implant by signing up for such studies.

A woman with any infection, scleroderma or lupus, certain diseases like diabetes, or who is pregnant or lactating is not eligible to enroll in such studies. Women who are undergoing reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy, encountering problems like rippling or capsular contracture with saline implants, undergoing breast lifts with breast augmentation or undergoing corrective surgery or with a history of breast cancer resulting in breast loss are eligible to enroll in such studies.