Biophotonics in Oral Health: Bridging Light-Based Innovation and Clinical Practice

The field of biophotonics, where biology, photonics, and medicine converge, is revolutionizing the clinical practice of dentistry and oral medicine through innovative technologies that complement and enhance conventional approaches. By leveraging the interactions between light and biological tissues, this interdisciplinary domain enables novel diagnostic, therapeutic, and regenerative applications in oral health care. Technologies such as dental lasers, photobiomodulation, optical coherence tomography, autofluorescence, and Raman spectroscopy are reshaping clinical diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. As our understanding of light-tissue interactions continues to evolve, the integration of biophotonics into clinical dentistry exemplifies a new era of precision and biologically guided care to address complex challenges in oral healthcare.

The objective of this research topic is to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and support the translation of biophotonic technologies into clinical practice. We encourage contributions that address device development, safety protocols, clinical workflows, and the integration of biophotonics with digital tools including artificial intelligence. Through the dissemination of high-quality original research, this collection aims to advance evidence-based practice and improve patient outcomes through the safe, effective, and personalized use of light-based technologies.

To generate further insights within this exciting interdisciplinary realm, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Novel light-based antimicrobial treatments for oral infections
• Advances in optical imaging for early detection and monitoring of oral diseases
• Light-guided surgical techniques enhancing precision, safety, and efficacy
• Photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy in tissue healing and pain management
• Systemically delivered light-based treatments for minimally invasive interventions
• Laser safety protocols and clinical best practices
• Light-tissue interaction mechanisms and novel light-therapy-based system development
• Integration of biophotonics with digital dentistry and AI-guided workflows

Such contributions aim to inform clinicians, researchers, and students about the transformative impact of light-based technologies on the future trajectory of oral healthcare.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Biophotonics, Oral Diagnostics, Light-Based Therapy, Optical Imaging, Digital Dentistry

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.