Next-Generation Biomaterials for Craniofacial and Oral Regeneration: From Rational Design to Clinical Translation

Craniofacial and oral tissue defects that resulting from trauma, disease, or congenital anomalies affect hundreds of millions of patients worldwide, posing major challenges in functional and aesthetic reconstruction. Traditional grafts and implants suffer from limited supply, poor integration, and unpredictable remodelling. Advanced biomaterials that actively guide tissue regeneration offer a promising alternative, yet their translation remains hampered by insufficient understanding of host–material interactions and slow, empirical development cycles.This Research Topic focuses on the rational design, fabrication, characterisation, and clinical translation of next‑generation biomaterials for craniofacial and oral applications. We place biomaterials at the centre of the narrative, with artificial intelligence and computational methods positioned as powerful tools to accelerate materials discovery, predict biological performance, and optimise scaffold architectures. Contributions are encouraged across the following areas, but not limited to:• Nano‑engineered and biofunctionalised surfaces for enhanced osseointegration, antimicrobial defence, and immunomodulation.• Additively manufactured scaffolds (e.g., 3D‑printed bioceramics and composites) with patient‑specific porosity and mechanical properties.• Smart hydrogels and delivery systems that respond to local physiological cues for spatiotemporal control of bioactivity.• Immunomodulatory biomaterials that steer host responses toward regeneration rather than fibrosis or chronic inflammation.• AI‑driven design and high‑throughput screening for accelerated property prediction, formulation optimisation, and inverse materials design.• Multiscale characterisation and predictive modelling of degradation, mechanical behaviour, and long‑term stability under oral loading.• Translational pathways, preclinical models, and regulatory frameworks for bringing novel biomaterials into clinical practice.• Digital workflows and chairside devices—including intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM, surgical navigation, and robotic-assisted placement—integrated with biomaterial development to enable precision fabrication, patient‑specific fitting, and real‑time clinical feedback.We particularly welcome interdisciplinary contributions bridging materials science, bioengineering, oral biology, immunology, and data science. By advancing fundamental knowledge and practical tools, this collection aims to accelerate the development of effective, safe, and translatable biomaterials for craniofacial and oral regenerative medicine. Topic editors: Hongyang Ma, Fei Zhang, Chanyuan Jin Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82140/next-generation-biomaterials-for-craniofacial-and-oral-regeneration-from-rational-design-to-clinical-translation