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Biomimetic Strategies to Enhance Bone Tissue Healing, Remodeling and Regeneration:...
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Biomimetic Strategies to Enhance Bone Tissue Healing, Remodeling and Regeneration: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomimetics of Materials and Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2026) | Viewed by 4883

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Otto Carl Wilson, Jr.

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
Interests: biomineralization phenomena; nanomaterials chemistry; biological liquid crystals;healing and remodeling of hard tissue
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bone tissue displays several unique chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, making it one of the most fascinating tissues in the body. Bone tissue plays an important physical role in providing structural support for our bodies and the foundation for tendon and ligament attachment for movement. Bone tissue also provides a physical environment for protecting bone marrow tissue and internal organs. Bone tissue serves as a chemical storage depot for calcium and phosphate ions. These ions play a critically important role in a host of biological processes that are vital for life. These factors add to the importance of developing effective design strategies to maintain bone tissue health across the age spectrum from youth to old age. One of the most important considerations in designing materials to enhance bone healing involves ensuring that the intervention can accompany the orchestra that resonates during bone tissue healing and remodeling without eliciting unfavorable effects. 

Biomimetic design principles are based on learning from, modeling, and mimicking the processes that naturally occur during biological processes. Biomimetic design strategies and principles can be used to enhance the healing and remodeling of bone at the whole tissue, cellular, and subcellular levels and have shown much promise for future innovations in treatment. The focus of our Special Issue, entitled “Biomimetic Strategies to Enhance Bone Tissue Healing, Remodeling and Regeneration”, is to shine a spotlight on some of the key research studies that are being conducted in this field. These studies push the boundaries of our understanding of hard tissue healing phenomena and will pave the way for great advances in optimizing skeletal health for life on Earth and the challenges of space travel as we venture beyond the Earth. 

Dr. Otto Carl Wilson, Jr.
Guest Editor

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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.

Keywords

  • biomimetic strategies
  • bone repair
  • 3D scaffolds
  • bioceramics
  • bone grafts
  • orthopedic implants
  • bionic prostheses
  • bioresorbable material
  • biomechanics

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 3389 KB  
Article
Biofunctional Testing of a Degradable Implant Made by Mg-Nd and Mg-Zn Alloys Used for Bone Defects
by Veronica Manescu (Paltanea), Aurora Antoniac, Gheorghe Paltanea, Iulian Antoniac, Emöke Páll, Maria Cristina Moraru, Alexandra Iulia Dreanca, Bogdan Sevastre, Radu Stefanoiu, Robert Ciocoiu, Sebastian Gradinaru, Julietta V. Rau and Marius Manole
Biomimetics 2026, 11(3), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11030169 - 2 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 901
Abstract
Regenerative medicine based on Mg alloy implants is considered a modern approach to address bone defects. It represents a promising alternative to traditional grafting strategies (auto-, allo-, and xenografts) by potentially mitigating complications such as donor-site morbidity and limited supply, which are discussed [...] Read more.
Regenerative medicine based on Mg alloy implants is considered a modern approach to address bone defects. It represents a promising alternative to traditional grafting strategies (auto-, allo-, and xenografts) by potentially mitigating complications such as donor-site morbidity and limited supply, which are discussed in this paper. In line with this global topic, attention is devoted to an innovative manufacturing route for Mg-Nd and Mg-Zn implants for the treatment of small bone defects. First, the proposed manufacturing method is described in detail, including the materials used and the manufacturing steps, and then a comparison between the reference (cast alloys) and implant samples is performed. The mechanical properties, weight loss in simulated body fluid (SBF), surface analysis (contact angle and roughness measurements), and cytotoxicity were evaluated to determine whether the developed implants are suitable for consideration as future bone implants. The main conclusions of the study were that both Mg-based implants exhibited mechanical properties (compressive strength and Young’s modulus) with values very close to those of the human bone, reduced mass loss (a fact that is in a direct relationship with an increase in corrosion resistance due to MgF2 conversion coating, which is a secondary result of the proposed manufacturing route), and finally, a good biocompatibility sustained by cell culture and cytotoxicity assessment, as well as by apoptosis and necrosis analysis on a human patella-derived osteoblastic cell line. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Strategies to Enhance Bone Tissue Healing, Remodeling and Regeneration: 2nd Edition)
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28 pages, 6166 KB  
Article
Prospective Clinical Evaluation of Customized Titanium Occlusive Barriers with Window Modification for Guided Bone Regeneration: Radiographic and Histological Outcomes
by Luis Leiva-Gea, Alfonso Lendínez-Jurado, Paulino Sánchez-Palomino, Bendición Delgado-Ramos, María Daniela Corte-Torres, Cristina López-De La Torre, Isabel Leiva-Gea and Antonio Leiva-Gea
Biomimetics 2026, 11(2), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11020149 - 17 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 599
Abstract
This study aimed to quantify horizontal and vertical bone gain using superimposition of preoperative and postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in severe alveolar ridge defects treated with a modified guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique based on customized titanium occlusive barriers with a [...] Read more.
This study aimed to quantify horizontal and vertical bone gain using superimposition of preoperative and postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in severe alveolar ridge defects treated with a modified guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique based on customized titanium occlusive barriers with a window design, combined with autologous blood clot and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). In this prospective case series, 13 patients (28 defects) were treated. Customized titanium barriers were digitally designed based on CBCT data and manufactured by laser sintering. The barriers were fixed over the defects and filled with a mixture of an autologous blood clot and β-TCP, providing an osteoconductive scaffold within a stable regenerative compartment. A standardized window-based follow-up protocol was applied during healing, including irrigation and controlled deepithelialization. Primary outcomes were horizontal and vertical bone gain, assessed by pre- and postoperative CBCT superimposition. Histological evaluation was performed at the time of implant placement. After 8 months, significant bone gain was observed, with a mean horizontal gain of 4.50 ± 2.02 mm and a mean vertical gain of 4.40 ± 2.82 mm (p < 0.0001), confirmed by linear mixed-effects models and patient-level sensitivity analyses (p < 0.001). Histological analysis revealed well-vascularized newly formed bone with active osteoblasts and no inflammatory response. Keratinized gingiva formation was observed at all sites. One minor complication (mild screw loosening) was recorded and successfully resolved. This study is presented as a prospective case series; therefore, the results should be interpreted as exploratory evidence and do not allow direct comparisons or conclusions regarding equivalence or superiority over other GBR techniques. The present report specifically evaluates the regenerative phase prior to functional loading; therefore, although implants were placed according to protocol, implant survival and long-term functional outcomes were not assessed and cannot be inferred from these data. Within the limitations of this prospective case series, customized titanium occlusive barriers with a window design demonstrated promising results for horizontal and vertical bone augmentation and keratinized gingiva formation, without the need for autologous bone grafts or primary wound closure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Strategies to Enhance Bone Tissue Healing, Remodeling and Regeneration: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 4814 KB  
Article
Natural Nacre-Derived Biomimetic Materials for In Vivo Bone Regeneration
by Pierre-Yves Collart-Dutilleul, Naveen Fatima, Richard Younes, Frédéric Cuisinier, Véronique Barragan-Montero and Alban Desoutter
Biomimetics 2026, 11(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11020114 - 4 Feb 2026
Viewed by 731
Abstract
Bone regeneration in critical-size defects requires biomaterials that provide both structural support and appropriate osteoinductive cues. Natural nacre contains an organic matrix rich in acidic macromolecules with reported osteogenic activity; however, its in vivo regenerative potential remains insufficiently explored. This study evaluated the [...] Read more.
Bone regeneration in critical-size defects requires biomaterials that provide both structural support and appropriate osteoinductive cues. Natural nacre contains an organic matrix rich in acidic macromolecules with reported osteogenic activity; however, its in vivo regenerative potential remains insufficiently explored. This study evaluated the bone regenerative capacity of nacre-derived materials alone and combined with oxidized porous silicon microparticles (pSi-MP), a bioactive material known to release silicic acid and support mineralized tissue formation. Critical-size defects were created in four caudal vertebrae of Wistar rats and filled with nacre, pSi-MP, a nacre–pSi composite, or left empty. After 60 days, bone formation was assessed using micro-computed tomography and non-decalcified histology. Empty defects failed to regenerate, whereas nacre and pSi-MP individually promoted partial mineralized tissue deposition. The nacre–pSi composite produced the most extensive repair, showing near-complete defect bridging, higher bone mineral density, and seamless integration of particles within newly formed bone. No inflammation or adverse reactions were observed, and osteoid deposition occurred directly on material surfaces. These findings demonstrate that nacre-derived materials exert intrinsic osteogenic effects in vivo and that combining nacre with porous silicon yields a synergistic response that significantly enhances bone regeneration. The composite represents a promising candidate for future bone repair strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Strategies to Enhance Bone Tissue Healing, Remodeling and Regeneration: 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 829 KB  
Article
Use of Amalgam and Composite Restorations Among 12-Year-Old Children in Israel: A Retrospective Study
by Rimah Nassar, Tali Chackartchi, Haim Doron, Jonathan Mann, Mordechai Findler and Guy Tobias
Biomimetics 2025, 10(12), 833; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10120833 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1019
Abstract
Background: This study examined the trends in restorative dental practice among 12-year-old children treated at a nationwide public health maintenance organization in Israel between 2016 and 2022, focusing on the use of amalgam versus composite resin restorations in permanent premolars and molars. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: This study examined the trends in restorative dental practice among 12-year-old children treated at a nationwide public health maintenance organization in Israel between 2016 and 2022, focusing on the use of amalgam versus composite resin restorations in permanent premolars and molars. Methods: Data were extracted from electronic health records of the second-largest public health organization in Israel, identifying children who underwent restorative treatments during the study period. Restoration rates were compared overall and stratified by gender, socioeconomic status, and number of surfaces restored. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27, employing Levene’s test for equality of variances and Welch’s one-way ANOVA. Results: The results showed a statistically significant decline in amalgam use (p < 0.05) alongside a marked increase in composite resin restorations (p < 0.05), consistent across genders and socioeconomic groups. Notably, composite resins were increasingly selected for complex, multi-surface restorations (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight a substantial shift in paediatric restorative practice in Israel, reflecting growing preference for composite resins likely influenced by patient demands and national dental reforms that eliminated financial barriers. The observed trend underscores the importance of continued monitoring of material selection to guide evidence-based practice in pediatric dentistry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Strategies to Enhance Bone Tissue Healing, Remodeling and Regeneration: 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 2508 KB  
Article
Osseodensification Versus Subtractive Drilling in Cortical Bone: An Evaluation of Implant Surface Characteristics and Their Effects on Osseointegration
by Sara E. Munkwitz, Albert Ting, Hana Shah, Nicholas J. Iglesias, Vasudev Vivekanand Nayak, Arthur Castellano, Lukasz Witek and Paulo G. Coelho
Biomimetics 2025, 10(10), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10100662 - 1 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1177
Abstract
Osseodensification (OD) has emerged as a favorable osteotomy preparation technique that preserves and compacts autogenous bone along the osteotomy walls during site preparation, enhancing primary stability and implant osseointegration. While OD has demonstrated promising results in low-density trabecular bone, especially when used in [...] Read more.
Osseodensification (OD) has emerged as a favorable osteotomy preparation technique that preserves and compacts autogenous bone along the osteotomy walls during site preparation, enhancing primary stability and implant osseointegration. While OD has demonstrated promising results in low-density trabecular bone, especially when used in conjunction with acid-etched (AE) implant surfaces, its efficacy in high-density cortical bone remains unclear—particularly in the context of varying implant surface characteristics. In this study, Grade V titanium alloy implants (Ti-6Al-4V, 4 mm × 10 mm) with deep threads, designated bone chambers and either as-machined (Mach) or AE surfaces were placed in 3.8 mm diameter osteotomies in the submandibular region of 16 adult sheep using either OD or conventional (Reg) drilling protocols. Insertion torque values (N·cm) were measured at the time of implant placement to evaluate primary stability. Mandibles were harvested at 3-, 6-, 12-, or 24-weeks post-implantation (n = 4 sheep/time point), and histologic sections were analyzed to quantify bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area fractional occupancy (BAFO). Qualitative histological analysis confirmed successful osseointegration among all groups at each of the healing time points. No statistically significant differences were observed between OD and conventional drilling techniques in insertion torque (p > 0.628), BIC (p > 0.135), or BAFO (p > 0.060) values, regardless of implant surface type or healing interval. The findings indicate that neither drilling technique nor implant surface treatment significantly influences osseointegration in high density cortical bone. Furthermore, as the osteotomy was not considerably undersized, the use of OD instrumentation showed no signs of necrosis, inflammation, microfractures, or impaired osseointegration in dense cortical bone. Both OD and Reg techniques appear to be suitable for implant placement in dense bone, allowing flexibility based on surgeon preference and clinical circumstances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Strategies to Enhance Bone Tissue Healing, Remodeling and Regeneration: 2nd Edition)
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