Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive and Regenerative Surgery: Volume II

The first volume of this Research Topic established a broad foundation for craniomaxillofacial (CMF) reconstructive and regenerative surgery, consolidating advances in biomaterials, flap reconstruction, implantology, and anatomical safety in surgical practice. Volume II builds directly on this foundation, inviting contributions that push further into clinical translation, surgical innovation, and patient outcomes.

Despite meaningful progress, significant challenges remain. Long-term outcome data for patient-specific and alloplastic implants are still limited. Bone regenerative strategies — including guided bone regeneration, alveolar augmentation, and graft substitutes — are increasingly used clinically but lack standardised protocols.

Free flap reconstruction continues to evolve, with refinements in perforator anatomy, recipient vessel selection, and flap monitoring improving reliability. Orthognathic and cleft surgery workflows are being refined through improved planning tools and outcome tracking. Across all these areas, the gap between surgical innovation and robust clinical evidence remains a priority to close.


This second volume welcomes contributions that address these challenges directly, with a focus on surgical technique, clinical application, and measurable patient outcomes within the CMF reconstructive and regenerative field.


This Research Topic invites original research, systematic reviews, clinical case series, and technical notes covering — but not limited to — the following themes:


•Bone and soft-tissue reconstruction: autologous grafting, guided bone regeneration, alveolar augmentation, and soft-tissue flap coverage in CMF defects

•Patient-specific and alloplastic implants: surgical outcomes, complication profiles, and long-term performance of custom CMF implants

•Free flap and pedicled flap reconstruction: perforator anatomy, recipient vessel strategies, flap monitoring, and salvage techniques in head and face reconstruction

•Cleft and craniofacial anomalies: surgical management of cleft lip, palate and alveolus, timing of intervention, and secondary revision procedures

•Orthognathic surgery: outcomes of bimaxillary and segmental osteotomies, skeletal stability, and relapse prevention

•Oncologic CMF reconstruction: composite mandibular and midface reconstruction, bridging plate design, and functional outcomes following tumour ablation

•CMF trauma reconstruction: management of complex facial fractures, orbital and frontal sinus reconstruction, and late correction of post-traumatic deformities

•Donor site considerations: morbidity, closure techniques, and functional outcomes at harvest sites used in CMF reconstruction

•Digital planning in reconstructive surgery: virtual surgical planning, intraoperative navigation, and CAD/CAM workflows applied to CMF reconstruction

•Craniomaxillofacial aesthetics: aesthetic outcomes in reconstructive and regenerative CMF surgery, recognising that restoring form is inseparable from restoring function.

Contributions are welcome on facial symmetry and contour restoration, soft-tissue aesthetics in flap and graft reconstruction, aesthetic considerations in orthognathic and cleft surgery, scar management, and patient-reported aesthetic satisfaction following CMF procedures

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
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... 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
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Craniomaxillofacial reconstrutive surgery; regenerative surgery; tmj; prothesis; orthognatic surgery; cosmetic surgery

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.