This review highlights and discusses the impact of nanotechnology on the inhibition of microbial colonization and biofilm development on modified surface prosthetic devices. In the first part of the paper the current status of infections related to prosthetic devices and the inquiries resulting from the increased number of patients with these infections are briefly reviewed. Next we discuss several aspects about the implication of nanotechnology in prosthetic devices surface modification and its impact on the prevention of infections. The main aspects regarding the biocompatibility and the application of these nanomodified prosthetic devices in tissue engineering are also highlighted.