An implant is a medical device that is inserted or grafted into the body for a therapeutic, preventive, or augmentative purpose. Implants are typically made of biocompatible materials such as metal, ceramic, or polymeric substances and are intended to interface with living tissue. The most common type of implants are those used to replace missing body parts, such as teeth, bones, heart valves, and skin. Other types of implants include those used to delivery drugs or hormones, support damaged tissues, or electrical stimulation devices.
Implants have been used for centuries in various forms. Early examples include trephination—the surgical procedure of drilling a hole in the skull—which was performed as early as 3000 BCE in an attempt to relieve pressure on the brain or treat mental illness. In 400 BCE, Hippocrates described the use of gold wire to suture wounds and broken bones together. Gold and silver were commonly used metals for surgical procedures up until the 19th century when new sterilization techniques allowed for the use of other materials such as platinum and titanium. The first dental implants were developed in 1952 by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon named Per-Ingvar Brånemark who observed that titanium bonded well with bone when he accidentally left a titanium rod in place during an experimental surgery. Dental implants became more widely used after 1968 when they were shown to be successful at fusing with bone over long periods of time without being rejected by the body’s immune system.
The process of placing an implant is called implantation. First, a small incision is made in order to access the desired location within the body where the implant will be placed. Next, a hole is drilled into bone using special equipment designed not to damage nearby tissues. Once the hole has been drilled, it is carefully enlarged so that it can accommodate the size of implant being placed. The implant itself is then inserted into the hole and checked for fit before being secured in place with screws or another type of fixation device depending on its design. After placement, stitches may be required to close up any incisions made during surgery while also protecting delicate tissues from undue stress during healing which can take several weeks or longer depending on factors such as age and overall health status
There are many different types of implants available depending on their intended purpose including:
•Dental implants: Used to support one or more artificial teeth (crowns)
•Orthopedic joint replacements: Used to replace joints damaged by arthritis or injury
•Pacemakers: Used to regulate heartbeat
•Intraocular lenses: Used after cataract surgery
each type having its own specific benefits and risks associated with its placement and function