Medical implants are an integral part of many surgical procedures, nonsurgical treatments, such as dental or orthopedic, and partial or complete replacement of missing bones and joints caused by injury, disease, or aging. This article will explore the different types of medical implants, their uses, and prospects.
What Are Medical Implants?
Medical implants have many uses. The implants can correct a congenital disability, reverse the effects of trauma, and replace missing structures such as teeth and bones.
Implants can also reduce pain or restore function. Medical implants may include surgical implants such as dental implants and orthopedic implants.
Medical implants are typically made from titanium, a lightweight and biocompatible material.
There is still much work to be done for implants to make the jump from using only during surgery or as part of an ongoing treatment plan (e.g., dental implants) to permanent implants used solely for noninvasive procedures.
What Are the Uses of Medical Implants?
Medical implants are used for a wide range of various surgeries and treatments, including:
- Restoring natural forms and functions in the body after an illness or injury such as cancer.
- Improving muscle movement for those who have weakened or lost mobility due to neurological conditions.
- Reaching or fixing implants in hard-to-reach areas of the body.
Medical implants replace a missing body part. An artificial heart is implanted into someone whose own heart has stopped working correctly. The most common implants include:
- Dental implants.
- Ophthalmic implants.
- Cochlear Implants.
- Orthopedic implants (knee and hip).
- Cardiac implants (pacemakers or intermittent aortic balloon pump implants).
- Breast implants.
What Is the Future of Medical Implants?
Implants have been in existence since the early 19th century when steel arrived as an option, but today things have changed a lot.
Different implants have been invented in the last decades – from cosmetic to medical – which can be pretty dangerous if not monitored by an expert doctor who knows what is going on with your body. Implants optimization is a continual process of invention and improvement.
In the future, implants will become even more common to replace missing or damaged body parts. Researchers are working on implants that can be powered wirelessly and implants made from biodegradable materials.
As you can see, the future of implants is bright, and it’s exciting to see how implants are improving the world. As an essential part of our health care system, implants help save lives and give people a chance to live more comfortably.