State of the Art: Biomaterials in Bone Implant and Regeneration (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Bone Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 4638

Editors


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Guest Editor
IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Surgical Sciences and Technologies, Bologna, Italy
Interests: biomaterials; scaffolds; coatings; biomedical devices; tissue engineering; regenerative techniques; histologial and histomorphometric techniques; osteointegration; osteolysis; fractures and bone losses; bone infection; biomarkers
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Guest Editor
IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Surgical Sciences and Technologies, Bologna, Italy
Interests: tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; experimental treatments; medical devices for orthopedic application; experimental modeling; preclinical research models; musculoskeletal tissue
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to submit articles to this Special Issue of the Journal of Functional Biomaterials focused on the “State of the Art: Biomaterials in Bone Implant and Regeneration (2nd Edition)”. Biomaterials have played a fundamental role since their first use, allowing for the replacement, repair, and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues. Metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite materials are at the center of intense research and development activities, aimed at constantly improving their physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties to support osteointegrative processes and ensure the stability and functionality of implants. These biomaterials have applications across various orthopedic fields, from joint replacement and stabilization to scaffolds, growth factors, grafts, and biologics for bone regeneration, underscoring their integral role in advancing bone implant and regeneration technologies.

Continued research and development are essential for addressing the current challenges, which include (i) ensuring long-term biocompatibility and preventing adverse responses; (ii) balancing mechanical strength with bioactivity and degradation rates in biodegradable materials; and (iii) overcoming technical limitations in manufacturing complex scaffolds and implants.

Furthermore, to unlock the full potential of these materials in improving patient outcomes, more investigations are needed in new directions such as the following:

  • Nanotechnology and nanomaterials: developing nanostructured surfaces and nanoparticles to enhance integration with bone tissue and deliver therapeutic agents;
  • Bioprinting: advanced 3D printing techniques using bioinks composed of cells and biomaterials for precise tissue engineering;
  • Smart biomaterials: creating responsive materials that can deliver drugs or change properties in response to biological signals, improving the adaptability and functionality of implants.

For these reasons, we aim to collect the most valuable papers (including original articles and comprehensive reviews) on biomaterial development, characterization, application, successes and failures, current challenges, and future perspectives to create a comprehensive “State of the Art: Biomaterials in Bone Implant and Regeneration (2nd Edition)”.

Dr. Maria Sartori
Dr. Melania Maglio
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials 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 2700 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

  • biomaterials
  • implants
  • bone tissue and regeneration
  • preclinical and clinical studies

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 7156 KB  
Article
Histomorphometric Evaluation of Non-Thermal Plasma-Treated Xenogenic Bone Graft for Enhanced Bone Regeneration in a Rabbit Calvarial Defect Model
by Hyunsuk Choi, Yong-Suk Moon, Hyung-Gyun Kim and Dong-Seok Sohn
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(6), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17060280 - 5 Jun 2026
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Abstract
When placing dental implants, xenografts are most commonly used clinically to compensate for the insufficient bone volume of patients. However, xenografts have limitations including low osteoinductive capacity and prolonged healing time. This study aimed to determine whether non-thermal plasma treatment could enhance the [...] Read more.
When placing dental implants, xenografts are most commonly used clinically to compensate for the insufficient bone volume of patients. However, xenografts have limitations including low osteoinductive capacity and prolonged healing time. This study aimed to determine whether non-thermal plasma treatment could enhance the regenerative performance of bovine cancellous bone graft (SANTA-OSS®) in a rabbit calvarial defect model. Twenty-four adult male New Zealand white rabbits received bilateral 8 mm critical-size calvarial defects. One defect was filled with untreated SANTA-OSS (control) and the contralateral defect with plasma-treated SANTA-OSS using the ACTILINK™ Reborn device. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks (n = 8 per group) for histomorphometric analysis. The plasma-treated group showed significantly higher new bone area (14.12 ± 0.69%, 18.93 ± 0.68%, and 32.72 ± 0.61% at 2, 4, and 8 weeks) than the control at all time points (p < 0.05). In addition, the experimental group exhibited accelerated graft resorption, larger bone marrow area, greater blood vessel area, and more TRAP-positive osteoclasts compared with the control (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, non-thermal plasma treatment significantly enhanced new bone formation and promoted favorable graft remodeling, while also accelerating graft resorption, increasing bone marrow area, and improving vascularization. These findings suggest that simple chairside plasma activation can improve the regenerative performance of xenografts. Full article
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19 pages, 2526 KB  
Article
Histomorphometric Evaluation of Subchronic and Chronic Effects of Novel Experimental Calcium Aluminate- and Calcium Silicate-Based Dental Cement Materials on Rat Liver, Kidney, Brain, and Spleen Tissues
by Veljko Ilić, Sanja Milutinović-Smiljanić, Vladimir Biočanin, Jovana Kuzmanović Pfićer, Tatjana Tasić, Vesna Danilović, Nina Japundžić-Žigon, Smiljana Paraš, Vukoman Jokanović, Dejan Ćetković and Đorđe Antonijević
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(5), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17050253 - 20 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1187
Abstract
Although biocompatible calcium silicate cements (CSCs) and calcium aluminate cements (CACs) may induce local and systemic adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the subchronic and chronic effects of experimental CAC and CSC mixtures on rat liver, kidney, brain, and spleen tissue. Two [...] Read more.
Although biocompatible calcium silicate cements (CSCs) and calcium aluminate cements (CACs) may induce local and systemic adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the subchronic and chronic effects of experimental CAC and CSC mixtures on rat liver, kidney, brain, and spleen tissue. Two experimental mixtures, CAC with added ZrO2 (ECCA + ZrO2) and CSC with added ZrO2 (ECCS + ZrO2), and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), were implanted intraalveolary in 36 male Wistar rats. Histomorphometry was conducted after 30 and 180 days on liver, kidney, brain, and spleen. Consistent results were observed in all material groups. Liver tissue inflammation ranged from none to minimal for all three materials. In kidney, ECCA + ZrO2 displayed a slightly better result than other two materials. In brain, after 180 days, both ECCA + ZrO2 and MTA showed a statistically significant reduction in perineural vacuolation (p < 0.05), and MTA showed a reduction in the percentage of intravascular congestion (p < 0.05). In spleen, a larger lymphoid follicle diameter was observed for ECCS + ZrO2 chronic group compared to other two materials (p < 0.05). ECCA + ZrO2, ECCS + ZrO2, and MTA caused none to minimal changes in liver, kidney, brain, and spleen following subchronic and chronic exposure. Full article
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Review

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19 pages, 940 KB  
Review
Natural Polymers in Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR)
by Anca Fratila, Diana Marian, Alexandru Petre, Anca Hermenean and Ioana Lile
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(7), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17070331 - 7 Jul 2026
Viewed by 1040
Abstract
Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) is a pivotal technique in dental and orthopedic applications for regenerating bone in areas of deficiency. Natural polymers such as collagen, chitosan, alginate, and gelatin have emerged as essential materials in GBR due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. [...] Read more.
Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) is a pivotal technique in dental and orthopedic applications for regenerating bone in areas of deficiency. Natural polymers such as collagen, chitosan, alginate, and gelatin have emerged as essential materials in GBR due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. These polymers not only provide a scaffold for bone regeneration but also support cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Despite their benefits, challenges such as variable degradation rates, insufficient mechanical strength, and limited bioactivity hinder their optimal clinical use. To address these limitations, ongoing research focuses on enhancing the properties of natural polymers. Composite materials combining fast- and slow-degrading polymers are being developed to achieve consistent degradation rates. Surface modifications, including nanoscale texturing and growth factor coatings, are improving bioactivity. Nanotechnology further enhances the structural and therapeutic potential of GBR materials, while advancements in 3D bioprinting enable the creation of customized scaffolds with precise architecture. These innovations aim to bridge the gap between biological compatibility and clinical functionality, making natural polymers more adaptable and effective in GBR. This review highlights the mechanisms, challenges, and advancements in natural polymers for GBR, emphasizing their potential to transform bone regeneration into a more reliable and patient-centered approach. Full article
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