Regenerative dentistry plays a vital role in reconstructing alveolar bone defects to support functional and aesthetic rehabilitation. A wide array of bone substitute materials - including autografts, autogenous dentin, allografts, xenografts, and alloplasts - is available, as well membranes for the guided bone regeneration, each with distinct biological and clinical properties. Their application in clinical settings is well established, however, the tissue-level mechanisms underpinning their integration and osteogenic performance are still being explored. Therefore, understanding the biological behavior of these biomaterials is essential for optimizing their use and improving patient outcomes in oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics as well in implant dentistry.

The clinical use of bone substitute materials is widespread, yet a comprehensive understanding of their biological performance remains incomplete. While clinical trials often focus on radiographic or volumetric outcomes, fewer studies correlate these findings with tissue-level responses such as cellular behavior, vascularization, as well as qualitative and quantitative analaysis of bone matrix formation. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to bring together clinical and experimental evidence from human and animal studies to better characterize the osteogenic potential and biological behavior of bone graft materials and membranes for guided bone regeneration. By highlighting both human and animal research, the goal is to bridge the gap between clinical outcomes and fundamental biological processes, ultimately guiding evidence-based selection and application of bone substitutes and membranes for guided bone regeneration.

This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, clinical case reports, short communications, comprehensive reviews, systematic reviews or meta-analyses that advance understanding of bone substitute performance. We invite submissions focusing on, but not limited to:

• Comparative evaluations of autografts, allografts, xenografts, alloplasts, and other novel biomaterials in human clinical trials;
• Preclinical and animal model studies highlighting early and late phases of bone regeneration;
• Histological and histomorphometric assessments of graft integration, vascularization, and bone matrix formation;
• Immunohistochemical investigations of osteogenic and inflammatory markers during the healing cascade;
• In vitro or ex vivo studies exploring biomaterial–cell interactions and mechanisms of action.

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Bone Substitutes and Membranes in Regenerative Dentistry: Bridging Clinical Outcomes and Tissue-Level Insights