Translational Approaches in Oral Preventive Biomaterials: From Benchside to Clinical Practice

The field of oral biomaterials has witnessed significant innovation in recent years, particularly regarding the development of preventive materials aimed at enhancing oral health outcomes. Despite these advances, a considerable gap persists between preclinical research and the successful translation of these biomaterials into everyday clinical practice. Key challenges include aligning laboratory models with real-world oral environments, ensuring long-term safety and efficacy, and addressing variability in patient responses and oral microbiomes. Recent studies have highlighted promising solutions for minimally invasive preventive strategies - including biomimetic remineralizing agents, novel antimicrobial coatings, and nanostructured materials - but much remains unknown about their ultimate impact when used in diverse populations.Ongoing research has demonstrated that several candidate biomaterials hold substantial promise for reducing dental caries, managing biofilm-associated diseases, and promoting tissue regeneration. For example, laboratory evidence for peptide-based remineralization systems and bioactive glass coatings has led to early clinical trials with encouraging results. Nevertheless, debate continues over the best frameworks to accelerate clinical translation, harmonize regulatory standards, and define clinically relevant endpoints. Furthermore, long-term and multicenter clinical data remain limited, adding uncertainty about the broad applicability of laboratory successes.This Research Topic aims to consolidate and advance current knowledge on translational pathways for oral preventive biomaterials, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration among materials scientists, clinicians, regulatory experts, and industry stakeholders. Central objectives include elucidating key mechanisms that drive biomaterial efficacy, identifying translational hurdles at different development stages, and generating evidence-based recommendations to facilitate clinical adoption. By probing the interface between laboratory innovation and applied dentistry, this topic seeks to stimulate discussion on optimizing evaluation protocols, standardizing outcome assessment, and paving the way for patient-centered preventive care.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses the full spectrum of translational research, from benchside discovery to real-world clinical application, while excluding biomaterials unrelated to preventive oral health. We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Preclinical evaluation models for oral preventive biomaterials• Strategies to enhance clinical translation and regulatory approval• Longitudinal and multicenter studies on safety, efficacy, and patient outcomes• Biomaterial-host and biomaterial-microbiome interactions• Advances in patient stratification and personalized preventive approaches• Economic, ethical, and implementation challenges in clinical adoption Topic editors: Flavia Vitiello, Valentina Notarstefano, Giulia Orilisi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75551/translational-approaches-in-oral-preventive-biomaterials-from-benchside-to-clinical-practice