Tissue holding implants which enable two or more layers of tissue to be held in approximation for an extended period. One and two-piece implants are described, made from materials that are biocompatible, and may also be biodegradable. Some embodiments include a portion which is deformed to capture the tissues to be held, and others are made from a super-elastic or shape memory material and hold the tissues in approximation when the implant is reverted to a known preformed shape.