by Joshua C. Kreithen, MD – Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Joshua C. Kreithen, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Holcomb Kreithen Plastic Surgery and MedSpa in Sarasota, Florida. With advanced training in aesthetic plastic surgery, Dr. Kreithen is recognized for his expertise in breast augmentation, body contouring, mommy makeover, and comprehensive cosmetic surgery of the body after weight loss.
Known for his surgical precision and patient-focused approach, Dr. Kreithen combines artistic vision with the latest techniques to help patients achieve natural, balanced, and lasting results. From breast augmentation and lifts to body sculpting procedures such as liposuction and abdominoplasty, he customizes each treatment plan to the individual’s goals and anatomy.
Dr. Kreithen has earned a reputation for excellence in both surgical outcomes and compassionate care. Patients choose him not only for his technical skill, but also for his dedication to safety, innovation, and personalized attention—qualities that make him a trusted choice for those seeking transformative, confidence-boosting results in Sarasota and beyond.
When Should You Change Your Silicone Implants?
Deciding when to change breast implants is one of the most common—and most anxiety-provoking—questions we hear from patients. The short answer: there’s no single “expiration date,” but implant age, symptoms, and imaging findings matter. Below we summarize the current evidence on rupture risk for Natrelle and Mentor silicone implants over 10 years, explain what to watch and when an exchange is reasonable, and explain why a high-quality breast ultrasound is often a smart, low-cost first step instead of ordering an MRI.
What the numbers say (10-year data)
- Mentor (MemoryGel / MemoryShape): Mentor’s published 10-year study reports about 9.8% rupture incidence for MemoryGel augmentation patients at 10 years. These company study figures use specific study cohorts and follow-up methods.
- Independent/long-term analyses: Some independent analyses and longer-term follow-ups of Mentor silicone implant studies show higher cumulative rupture estimates when including MRI-detected “silent” ruptures — in some studies the estimated 10-year rupture risks are up to the 25% range.
- Allergan / Natrelle: Allergan’s Natrelle core study shows MRI-screened augmentation patients had reported rupture rates in the low-to-mid single digits.
- Bottom line: Reported 10-year rupture rates vary by brand, implant type, patient group, and how the study checked for ruptures (symptoms only vs. routine MRI). Expect risk to increase over time — many surgeons start serious surveillance at 8–10 years and recommend exchange between the 10–15 year range.
Symptoms that should prompt a check now
- Change in breast shape, size, firmness, or position
- New lumps, pain, or persistent tenderness
- Noticeable swelling or one-side deflation/asymmetry
- History of trauma to the chest
(Remember: many ruptures are “silent” and have no symptoms — that’s why imaging matters.)
Imaging: ultrasound first, MRI if needed
- Ultrasound is fast, non-invasive, widely available, and much less expensive than MRI. When performed by experienced clinicians it’s an excellent first-line test to check implant integrity. Recent reviews support ultrasound as an effective initial imaging choice.
- A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis found that ultrasound has good diagnostic accuracy for implant rupture (pooled sensitivity ~74% and specificity ~88%)—meaning it catches most ruptures and has a reasonably low false-positive rate.
- A 2024 evidence review found that ultrasound can be nearly as effective as MRI for detecting ruptures and is even better at finding silicone outside the breast (for example, in axillary lymph nodes). Newer high-resolution US techniques and elastography are improving implant evaluation further. The FDA’s more recent guidance also recognizes ultrasound as an acceptable imaging modality in many situations.
- MRI is the traditional “gold standard” and is used if ultrasound is inconclusive or if there’s high clinical suspicion. We recommend ultrasound first for most patients because it reduces cost and is very practical.
When to consider changing your implants
- Confirmed rupture on imaging (US or MRI)
- Symptoms that bother you (pain, chronic capsular contracture, cosmetic concerns)
- You want a cosmetic change (size/shape swap)
- Implant age — many surgeons discuss surveillance and possible exchange for implants older than 8–10 years
Why come to Holcomb Kreithen Plastic Surgery?
- We offer high-resolution breast ultrasound as a first step to check implant integrity — quick, comfortable, and far less costly than MRI in most cases.
- We’ll explain results and options in plain language and create a plan tailored to your goals and health.
If your implants are near 8–10 years old or you’ve noticed changes, book a breast ultrasound at Holcomb Kreithen Plastic Surgery. An ultrasound is the easiest, most affordable first test to check for rupture — and if needed, we’ll fast-track any follow-up imaging or surgical care.