Alloplasts and biointegration

During the past 2000 years, medical science has embraced the use of allopla stic materials to improve and replace many bodily functions. During the pas t 50 years, there has been a virtual explosion of alloplastic implant and d evice technologies. Alloplasts have been borrowed from industry with few if any modifications, Experimental and clinical studies have shown that smoot h, textured, and fabric-surfaced alloplasts excite a fibrous capsule around the implant and distance normal tissue and vascularity from the implant-ti ssue interface. In contrast, some porous alloplasts have been shown to bond with tissues, reducing the fibrous encapsulation and promoting vasculariza tion. The physical and chemical stability of the implant in situ and its su rface composition, texture, and pore size significantly influence the tissu e response. Lessons learned during the past 50 years are now being translat ed into new medicine-specific alloplasts.