Innovative Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Advances for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Reconstruction, Restoration, Replacement, Repair and/or Regeneration

In the cranio-maxillo-facial practice, biotechnology has been rapidly evolving and increasingly driving a promising future in bridging the gap between biomedical basic sciences, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and the clinic. Whether due to trauma, congenital abnormalities, and/or pathologies such as infections and cancer, soft and hard tissue defects in the cranio-maxillo-facial and oro-dental zone, continue to present a challenge to both patients and their healthcare providers with significant impact on quality of life and longevity (and successful aging). This can be attributed, amongst others, to management and treatment complexity and association with/among various other tissues. This has propelled the search for innovative strategies and materials which mimic the natural tissues and can serve as scaffolds to guide and control tissue growth. For example, when it comes to grafts, novel technology, and computer-aided manufacturing have allowed us to control biomechanical strength and pore geometry. Yet, while biomaterial design to repair cranio-maxillo-facial defects has largely focused on mainly promoting bone regeneration, and whilst there are many additional factors that influence this process, challenges in the reconstruction, restoration, replacement, repair, and/or regeneration of soft and hard tissue continue to exist. In order to create biomaterials able to treat (functionally and esthetically) large missing voids, portions, and geometries of soft and hard tissues on par with autograft materials, for example, the design of novel materials must include methods that allow or help overcome the multiple obstacles to effective and efficient tissue regeneration. This also includes facilitating intra-operative surgical handling and modification, inducing pro-healing vascularization and immune response, and preventing bacterial infection, among others.

This Research Topic aims at fostering basic, applied, and clinical research insights into innovative bio-nano-materials and translational advancements in soft and hard tissue bio-management strategies and possibilities (5R’s: Reconstruction, Restoration, Replacement, Repair and/or Regeneration), herein, with a special focus on the cranio-maxillo-facial complex. We aspire to provoke multi-disciplinary research, development, and innovation to ultimately improve the so far un-satisfactory/sub-par prevention, palliative, management, and/or treatment options available for our patients suffering from tissue lesions and defects. Hence, it is essential to discuss discoveries in cellular and molecular signaling pathways, artificial intelligence, biomimicry, three-dimensional printing and biotechnology, innovative nanomaterials and biopolymers designed, synthesized, incorporated, and used in formulating novel and release-controlled drug (cell-, gene-, protein-, amongst others) delivery systems, pharmaceutics, scaffolds, hydrogels, and matrices for translational and spatiotemporal application in nano-medicine and dentistry, as well as addressing their limitations (despite receiving US-FDA approval, as is in some cases).

We welcome articles to discuss the different types of nanomaterials and biopolymers used, their preparation methods, safety and efficacy analysis, and potential translation from benchtop to bed-/chair-side. Contributions discussing different characterization methodologies and/or advanced strategies as well as any arising hurdles, including regulatory affairs, are also welcome. Therefore, we encourage the submission of insightful case reports, state-of-the-art reviews and mini-reviews, as well as original research articles dealing with basic, translational, or clinical studies on (but not limited to) the following sub-topics:

• New discovery of cranio-maxillo-facial and oro-dental biology biomarkers, cytokines, mesenchymal stromal cells, or cellular/molecular pathways involved in the repair and regeneration of skin, muscle, tendon, fascia, cartilage, or bone

• New design and characterization of biomaterials and matrices (including platelet concentrates) suitable for controlled or guided tissue regeneration and repair

• New application of advanced biomaterials and cell/tissue engineering methods (including multiple thrombopoietic agents, for example) in the management and treatment of cranio-maxillo-facial and oro-dental defects

• New application of biomimicry and additive manufacturing (with inflammatory and vascularization regulation, for example) in the induced healing process

• New utilization of biomaterial(s) and tissue engineering strategies, including osteoimmunology and densification, in tissue regeneration and repair

• Computational modeling for cells or cellular and molecular micro-environment(s) in the progress and/or acceleration of in situ tissue repair or regeneration

• Current approaches and challenges in translational cranio-maxillo-facial tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, from bench-top to bed- or chair-side