Bioinspired Innovations in Orthodontics: From Biomimetic Materials to Digital Dentistry

Dear Colleagues,

Orthodontic science is increasingly inspired by nature. Advances in biomimetic materials, bioinspired biomechanics, and digital technologies are transforming how orthodontic treatment is designed and delivered. By replicating natural biological structures and processes, researchers develop materials and appliances that improve treatment efficiency, biocompatibility, and long-term results.

Meanwhile, innovations in digital dentistry, artificial intelligence, computational modelling, software-based disease predictions, and additive manufacturing are enabling highly personalized orthodontic treatments. The combination of bioinspired principles with digital technologies is opening new avenues for improving diagnostics, treatment planning, and clinical outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to showcase innovative research and clinical progress at the crossroads of biomimetics and orthodontics, gathering contributions from materials science, biomechanics, regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, and digital dentistry.

We invite researchers, clinicians, and interdisciplinary scientists to submit original research articles, reviews, short communications, and perspective papers that explore innovative approaches linking biological inspiration with technological advancements in orthodontics.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Biomimetic orthodontic materials and adhesives;
• Bio-inspired biomechanics and force systems;
• Nanotechnology and bioactive surface engineering;
• Changes in hard tissue biology due to orthodontic treatment;
• Regenerative and tissue-engineering approaches;
• Artificial intelligence in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning;
• 3D printing and advanced manufacturing of orthodontic appliances;
• Gradient materials mimicking natural tooth-bone interfaces;
• Additive manufacturing of patient-specific brackets and aligners;
• Multi-material printing for functionally graded orthodontic devices;
• Clear aligner innovations and personalized orthodontics;
• Clinical studies evaluating bioinspired orthodontic technologies;
• Computational and artificial intelligence (AI)-based detection and prediction of orthodontic problems;
• Digital tools to advance radiologic finding interpretations;
• Digital approaches to diagnose and treat certain orthodontic problems, such as cleft lip and palate and sleep apnea;
• AI-driven treatment planning inspired by biological pattern recognition;
• Digital twins in orthodontics for predictive, personalized care;
• Machine learning models for optimizing force systems and treatment time;
• Bioinspired algorithms for aligner staging and tooth movement prediction;
• Integration of intraoral scanning with biologically informed simulations;
• Biomechanical approaches to predict and diagnose orthodontic problems;
• Eco-friendly biomaterials inspired by natural systems;
• Biodegradable orthodontic components;
• Green manufacturing approaches in orthodontic device production;
• Long-term biocompatibility of bioinspired materials;
• Biosensors for real-time monitoring of orthodontic forces;
• Saliva-based biomarkers for tracking treatment progress;
• Wearable bioinspired devices for compliance monitoring;
• Smart brackets with embedded sensing technologies.

By integrating multidisciplinary perspectives, this Special Issue aims to enhance the understanding and application of bioinspired innovations that will shape the future of orthodontic therapy and digital dentistry.

Dr. Nazeeba Siddika
Dr. Ehsanul Hoque Apu
Prof. Dr. Sorin T. Teich
Dr. Renato C. Roperto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomimetics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• biomimetic orthodontics
• digital orthodontics
• digital dentistry
• 3D printing, biomechanics and force systems
• prediction and detection
• orthodontic biomaterials
• molecular biology and cellular biology
• craniofacial regenerative medicine
• artificial intelligence
• computational methods