Advanced Materials for Dentistry and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics: From Biocompatibility to Biomimetic Design and Implant Surface Bioengineering

Dear Colleagues,

Dentistry and maxillofacial prosthodontics continue to advance rapidly through innovations in material design, processing, and clinical translation. This Special Issue aims to gather the latest research and breakthroughs in the synthesis, characterization, modeling, and application of materials tailored for oral and maxillofacial rehabilitation including dental and maxillofacial implants and implant surface bioengineering.

Innovative composites, ceramics, and fiber-reinforced systems now deliver superior esthetics, biocompatibility, and mechanical reliability for restorative dentistry. In maxillofacial prosthodontics, silicone elastomers remain central; current work targets color stability, environmental aging, antimicrobial strategies, and adhesion to metallic and polymeric frameworks (e.g., Ti, PEEK/PEKK).

Concurrently, implant materials and surfaces (titanium/titanium alloys and zirconia) are being refined via micro / nano-texturing, anodization / laser processing, plasma / UV photofunctionalization, and bioactive/antibiofilm coatings to enhance osseointegration, promote soft-tissue sealing, and resist biofilm formation and tribocorrosion in the oral environment.

Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of materials science and dentistry, this Special Issue welcomes contributions that integrate digital workflows (CAD/CAM), additive and subtractive manufacturing, metrology, and AI-assisted modeling, alongside in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations. By showcasing cutting-edge developments, we aim to improve patient outcomes through enhanced material performance and new treatment possibilities.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Resin composites, ceramic materials, and fiber-reinforced composites; biomimetic and esthetic materials; Implant materials and surfaces (Ti/Ti6Al4V, zirconia): micro/nano-topography, anodization/laser texturing, plasma/UV photofunctionalization, chemical/bioactive and antibiofilm coatings, peptide/ion-release systems; Osseointegration and soft-tissue integration; peri-implantitis-resistant designs; tribocorrosion/corrosion–wear, fretting, and interfacial mechanics; Silicone elastomers (HTV/RTV) for maxillofacial prosthetics: formulations, pigments/fillers, antimicrobial approaches, color stability/aging, and adhesion/coupling to Ti, PEEK/PEKK, and ceramics; PEEK/PEKK frameworks and surface activation; bonding to composites/ceramics/silicone; mechanical reliability and fatigue; Additive and subtractive manufacturing; Digital workflows and the virtual patient; accuracy, fit, and clinical translation; Biocompatibility, mechanical and optical properties, long-term performance, failure analysis, and standards-based testing; Data-driven/AI approaches for predicting degradation, biofilm interactions, and clinical outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Corina Marilena Cristache
Dr. Fabrizio Di Francesco
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• PEEK
• PEKK
• silicone elastomers
• maxillofacial prosthodontics
• dental implants
• titanium
• zirconia
• surface modification
• biofunctionalization
• antibiofilm coatings
• osseointegration
• soft-tissue integration
• tribocorrosion
• adhesion
• primers/coupling agents
• color stability
• resin composites
• ceramics
• fiber-reinforced composites
• 3D printing
• subtractive manufacturing
• CAD/CAM
• biomimetic materials
• biocompatibility
• mechanical properties
• optical properties
• porous/lattice structures
• photofunctionalization
• AI-assisted modeling