Beyond Bioactivity: Biological and Biomimetic Frontiers in Dental Materials

About this Research Topic

Background

In recent years, there has been a growing focus on developing smart dental materials that go beyond simply restoring form and function, but also have a MID role. Researchers are now actively designing materials with smart bioactivity—meaning they are intended to interact with the surrounding tissues in a positive, therapeutic way. Rather than acting as inert fillers, these advanced materials are engineered to promote tissue regeneration, inhibit harmful bacteria, and integrate more naturally with tooth structures. This shift reflects a broader move in dental science toward materials that not only repair damage but also support the body’s own healing processes, and its preventative processes, ultimately aiming for longer-lasting and biologically harmonious restorations in a MID approach.



Tomorrow’s smart bioactive materials will be designed to support dentin remineralization, reduce bacterial biofilm formation, and encourage tissue integration. This progress builds on the use of multifunctional fillers, organic-inorganic hybrids, and primers that mimic the natural properties of teeth.

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Innovations in this area include antimicrobial additives, collagen-based scaffolds, and dual-action primers that improve the formation of apatite and promote mineral deposition where the material meets dentin. While lab results have been encouraging, most studies so far are limited to in vitro settings. This has slowed clinical adoption, as there’s still a need for standardized methods to evaluate these materials consistently.

Experts now recommend a more comprehensive approach to testing - one that assesses mineral formation, antibacterial effects, and mechanical strength - to better predict how these materials will perform in real-world use. Continued research is focused on finding the right balance between biological activity and durability, bringing us closer to restorative solutions that truly mimic natural teeth and offer better outcomes for patients.



This research aims to tackle a key challenge in restorative dentistry: developing materials that don’t just fill cavities, but also help heal and protect natural tooth structures with a MID clinical strategy. Most traditional dental materials are passive - they restore shape and function but don’t interact with the body. This limits their ability to support long-term oral health, especially in situations where tissues need to regenerate or resist bacterial attack.



To change this, the focus is shifting toward smart materials that are both bioactive and biomimetic. These materials are designed to work with the body by promoting remineralization, preventing bacterial growth, and forming stronger bonds with natural tissues. Recent progress, including the use of collagen scaffolds, smart fillers, and biologically inspired adhesives, shows real potential. However, much of this work is still in the lab, and real-world application has been slow due to inconsistent testing and unclear standards. This Research Topic will explore how to improve these materials for everyday use, aiming to create durable, biologically compatible solutions that support natural healing and lead to better long-term outcomes for patients.



We invite contributions that explore the development and application of bioactive and biomimetic materials in restorative dentistry. We are particularly interested in studies that focus on materials designed to support tissue regeneration, inhibit bacterial growth, and closely mimic the structure and function of natural dental tissues. Topics may include, but are not limited to:



• Design and Development of Smart Bioactive and Biomimetic Materials

– Including ion-releasing fillers, collagen-based scaffolds, and hybrid systems.

• Biological Performance and Regenerative Potential

– Focus on remineralization, tissue integration, and antimicrobial properties.

• Next generation of Minimally Invasive Dentistry Materials

• Material-Tissue Interactions and Interfacial Bonding

– Studies on how materials bond and interact with dentin and enamel.

• Testing Methods and Clinical Translation

– Standardization of bioactivity assessment and real-world application challenges.



Submissions that discuss challenges in clinical translation, standardization of testing protocols, or long-term outcomes are especially encouraged.

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
• General Commentary
• ... 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
• 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: bioactive dental materials, biomimetic dentistry, tissue regeneration, antimicrobial additives, restorative dental solutions, dental material innovation, dentin integration, clinical dental research

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.

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