"The concept of dental implants dates as far back as 2000BC when carved bamboo pegs were originally used to replace missing teeth. A dental implant is a prosthetic device made of alloplastic material implanted either into the oral tissues beneath the mucosal and/or the periosteal layer and/or within the bone to provide retention and support for a fixed or removable prosthesis. When inserted into the bone, the implants are called endo-osseous implants. Around 3000 years ago, Egyptians used metal pegs to replace teeth and it was not until the 1930s the concept of modern implant technology came into existence with progressive development of methods used to replace missing teeth (Table 1.1). The materials from which dental implants are made should be biocompatible and corrosion resistant as well as encouraging bone ingrowth and biofunctionality"-- Provided by publisher.