Engineering Biofunctional Tantalum Implants Through Surface Functionalization for Infection‐Resistant Bone Regeneration

Tantalum has emerged as a promising metallic biomaterial for orthopedic implants owing to its excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and mechanical compatibility with bone tissue, particularly in porous architectures. However, the intrinsic bioinertness of tantalum limits its ability to actively regulate the biological microenvironment, particularly under conditions of bacterial infection and impaired osteogenesis. Recent advances in surface functionalization have enabled the transformation of tantalum implants from passive load‐bearing devices into biofunctional platforms with antibacterial and osteogenic capabilities. This review systematically summarizes current surface engineering strategies for tantalum‐based implants, including micro/nanotopographical modulation, bioactive ion incorporation, functional coatings, and stimuli‐responsive modifications. Particular emphasis is placed on the underlying mechanisms by which surface chemistry, electrical properties, and local microenvironmental cues synergistically influence bacterial inhibition, immune modulation, and bone regeneration. By integrating structure–property–biological function relationships, this review highlights key design principles and remaining challenges for developing next‐generation tantalum implants with infection‐resistant and osteoinductive performance. The perspectives provided herein aim to guide the rational design of multifunctional tantalum‐based biomaterials for advanced orthopedic applications.