The majority of failures
in prosthetic implants and devices are
caused by infections. Microbial infections are one of the major causes
of these failures. The present article reviews various techniques
such as modification in surface chemistry/composition and tailored
structures (micro to nano) for improving the antibacterial response
of prosthetic implants. In addition, the application of external stimulants
such as magnetic and electric fields, as well as polarization, is
recently realized as a fairly appealing approach to diminish the bacterial
population. A comprehensive response of surface modifications as well
as external stimuli in inducing the antibacterial response in prosthetic
implants has also been summarized. The mechanisms for the antibacterial
response due to these modifications, such as generation of toxic metal
ions by dissolution of their respective oxides, and production of
reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals
(OH–), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxides, peroxides (O2
–2), etc.,
have been elaborately discussed.