Biomaterials-based strategy for dental-oral tissue regeneration: current clinical application, laboratory development, and future direction

The oral cavity presents unique regenerative challenges due to its complex developmental origins, intricate interfaces between hard and soft tissues, and constant exposure to mechanical forces, saliva, and a diverse microbiota. Along with multifunctional and esthetic demands, these factors distinguish dental-oral tissues from other organ systems and necessitate specialized biomaterial strategies. Although tissue engineering has advanced considerably, current approaches often fall short of consistently delivering satisfactory outcomes in dental-oral tissue repair, primarily due to the unique biological and clinical complexities of the oral environment. This review outlines key design principles for next-generation biomaterials tailored to oral tissue regeneration. We concentrate on four major dental-oral tissues: alveolar bone, periodontal tissue, dental pulp, and keratinized gingiva, discussing clinical needs, biological foundations, ideal material properties, current biomaterial strategies, and future prospects. Emphasis is placed on developing biomaterials that can support multi-tissue regeneration, maintain interfacial and structural integrity, resist microbial and mechanical challenges, and achieve optimal esthetic restoration. By integrating insights from developmental biology with advances in material science, this review aims to inspire the rational design of clinically translatable biomaterials that meet the complex regenerative demands of dental and oral tissues.