Biomaterials used in implants or clinical instrumentation are commonly used for the re-alignment, replacement, and treatment of deteriorated tissues, broken structures, or other injuries. The study of biomaterials is primarily involved in the chemical and biology field collectively known as biochemistry, biology, tissue engineering, and material science. Appropriate material selection and their characterization is crucial consideration while manufacturing medical implants. The biomaterial used for different medical implants should possess desirable properties, mechanical strength, biostability, good corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility to get acquainted in the physiologic environments. However, many important researches in biomaterial science have come focusing on improving the physical, mechanical and chemical properties regarding the material of implant and thereby improvising the implant strength. This overview examines metallic and ceramics biomaterials which are commonly used biomaterials used in medical implants while primarily focusing on the composition, mechanical properties, advantages, limitations, and applications of the materials. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.